Twelve South Debuts 'Curve' Stand for Apple Notebooks

[SteveW928]

The price isn't bad, but with the new Macbook Pro the stands makes the touch bar even more useless.

Heh, does anyone use the Touch Bar? I'm actually trying to *avoid* buying one with it, but only the very lowest end model comes with real keys.

I love TwelveSouth stuff, but i've genuinely never understood what one of these stands is for.

I don't really get the idea of putting a laptop higher up in front of another keyboard.

Then again i've got an iMac to sit at a desk at but I generally just sit on the sofa with my MacBook Pro for most of the day.

I think you just answered your own question. A lot of people use laptops at desks instead of iMacs. But, even the iMac is too low for proper ergonomics. I'm guessing this would be a bit low, even on that stand, though maybe not as a 2nd screen.

 

[dannys1]

Heh, does anyone use the Touch Bar? I'm actually trying to *avoid* buying one with it, but only the very lowest end model comes with real keys.



I think you just answered your own question. A lot of people use laptops at desks instead of iMacs. But, even the iMac is too low for proper ergonomics. I'm guessing this would be a bit low, even on that stand, though maybe not as a 2nd screen.

You think? I don't get it - I can easily work all day at a desk with my MacBook if I need, my problem is I can't sit with my legs on the floor and I end up sitting cross legged on a chair. I've certainly never felt the need for my 27" iMac to be higher either, I think Apple did the perfect job with the stand height on that.

I've just seen these sort of stands and always thought they were stupid - like a display stand for the MacBook. I'd also hate to have a 15" screen (and a 13" even worse) that far away, never mind my neck, the squinting!

Hey, we're all different though - but it's about the only TwelveSouth product i'd never use or have use of, even if it was given to me for free.

(P.S. and yes I use the touch bar, it's no game changer, but I miss it when I go back to using the iMac and it's great with BetterTouchTool which lets you basically program your own one touch button scripts)

 

[ignatius345]

I'm using one of these, for a whopping three dollars: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00326334/ You can also flip it around and use it to prop up a tablet or a phone. Did I mention that it cost three dollars?

And back in the day, I used to just use a very large old dictionary, which also did the trick wonderfully.

 

[SteveW928]

You think? I don't get it - I can easily work all day at a desk with my MacBook if I need, my problem is I can't sit with my legs on the floor and I end up sitting cross legged on a chair. I've certainly never felt the need for my 27" iMac to be higher either, I think Apple did the perfect job with the stand height on that.

I've just seen these sort of stands and always thought they were stupid - like a display stand for the MacBook. I'd also hate to have a 15" screen (and a 13" even worse) that far away, never mind my neck, the squinting!

Hey, we're all different though - but it's about the only TwelveSouth product i'd never use or have use of, even if it was given to me for free.

(P.S. and yes I use the touch bar, it's no game changer, but I miss it when I go back to using the iMac and it's great with BetterTouchTool which lets you basically program your own one touch button scripts)

Heh, yea, I guess. Maybe it's because I'm pretty tall? Ergonomically, the top of the screen is supposed to be straight out at eye level, just FYI. Though I don't know how/why they determined that.

The distance would be a problem on a small screen like that for me too, at least for my primary display, but might be OK off to the side as a secondary monitor. I also prefer an external keyboard, as laying my wrists across the sharp MB edges, for long, I hate, and I *much* prefer a mouse to trackpad!

re: touch bar - I suppose I'm just going to have to get over it at some point, as I'm sure Apple will put them on everything at some point. I guess I could put up with esc and volume there, as that's mostly what I use function keys for anyway. I just have no current want/use for it.

With my hands on the keyboard and/or mouse, it would be an inefficiency to reach up and twiddle some graphic image on that bar, IMO. The only way it saves time, I suppose, is when using only the laptop where you don't have screen space to have certain controls on-screen. Then, I suppose, it's easier than going to a menu to display the control and dismissing it.

That said, I only use my laptop as a laptop probably 25% of the time or less.... but need it when traveling.

And back in the day, I used to just use a very large old dictionary, which also did the trick wonderfully.

Heh, I used a textbook from grad school for years with my iMac. You know, one of those 400+ page, 2"+ tomes that's just about perfect.

 

[dannys1]

Heh, yea, I guess. Maybe it's because I'm pretty tall? Ergonomically, the top of the screen is supposed to be straight out at eye level, just FYI. Though I don't know how/why they determined that.

The distance would be a problem on a small screen like that for me too, at least for my primary display, but might be OK off to the side as a secondary monitor. I also prefer an external keyboard, as laying my wrists across the sharp MB edges, for long, I hate, and I *much* prefer a mouse to trackpad!

re: touch bar - I suppose I'm just going to have to get over it at some point, as I'm sure Apple will put them on everything at some point. I guess I could put up with esc and volume there, as that's mostly what I use function keys for anyway. I just have no current want/use for it.

With my hands on the keyboard and/or mouse, it would be an inefficiency to reach up and twiddle some graphic image on that bar, IMO. The only way it saves time, I suppose, is when using only the laptop where you don't have screen space to have certain controls on-screen. Then, I suppose, it's easier than going to a menu to display the control and dismissing it.

That said, I only use my laptop as a laptop probably 25% of the time or less.... but need it when traveling.

Heh, I used a textbook from grad school for years with my iMac. You know, one of those 400+ page, 2"+ tomes that's just about perfect.

I can't get on with mice anymore. I replaced my Magic Mouse 2 with the Logictech MX Master assuming it was just Apple's mouse I didn't like but I don't really like that either - I much prefer the Magic Trackpad 2 with the iMac - it's just so much easier to use and less moving around of the hand. I used to find intricate detail harder on a trackpad years ago but these days with Apple's tech it's just as easy.

As I say Touch Bar isn't a must have, but it's better and more useful (and ergonomic seen as we're mentioning that here) than a touch screen. If people can't bare to look down a bit at their MacBook screen they really won't like reaching up and forwards to touch a screen, hell i've tried with my iPads and the keyboards and I don't like it (when I use the keyboard I try every keyboard shortcut their is to avoid having to touch the screen on what is primarily a touch screen device!)

Some apps make it easier, with some advanced shortcuts just being one button - or use of sliders that is quicker than moving the mouse up to the tap and clicking/dragging with the track pad. It is also much better to do the volume/brightness with a press and slide then repeatedly hitting keyboard buttons.

But yeah the best use is definitely the custom scripts i've program that automate a bunch of actions in a single Touch Bar press and I can assign it to a button with my own name and graphics. It's handy for features like show/hide hidden files in macOS which before i'd have to fire up Terminal to do and at the very least create a bash command and type it out.

 

[SteveW928]

I can't get on with mice anymore. I replaced my Magic Mouse 2 with the Logictech MX Master assuming it was just Apple's mouse I didn't like but I don't really like that either - I much prefer the Magic Trackpad 2 with the iMac - it's just so much easier to use and less moving around of the hand. I used to find intricate detail harder on a trackpad years ago but these days with Apple's tech it's just as easy.

As I say Touch Bar isn't a must have, but it's better and more useful (and ergonomic seen as we're mentioning that here) than a touch screen. If people can't bare to look down a bit at their MacBook screen they really won't like reaching up and forwards to touch a screen, hell i've tried with my iPads and the keyboards and I don't like it (when I use the keyboard I try every keyboard shortcut their is to avoid having to touch the screen on what is primarily a touch screen device!)

Some apps make it easier, with some advanced shortcuts just being one button - or use of sliders that is quicker than moving the mouse up to the tap and clicking/dragging with the track pad. It is also much better to do the volume/brightness with a press and slide then repeatedly hitting keyboard buttons.

But yeah the best use is definitely the custom scripts i've program that automate a bunch of actions in a single Touch Bar press and I can assign it to a button with my own name and graphics. It's handy for features like show/hide hidden files in macOS which before i'd have to fire up Terminal to do and at the very least create a bash command and type it out.

I wish there was an easy way to long-term try a Magic Trackpad 2. Maybe I'll have to just buy one and give it a good go. I get the mouse problem, as my hand-wrist gets sore these days at times. The Magic Mouse 2 was horrible in that regard, in the way you have to grip it, though it was well made.

I also used a Performance MX - which broke all too soon - and replaced it with MX Master (which I worry about longevity too... the left-click micro-switch). These are the only mice I can stand, especially the scroll wheel(s) which are excellent. But, to rest one's hand on it and be semi-comfortable, it's nearly impossible to scroll. So, I'm either holding it oddly/painfully, or constantly switching grip. It's far from perfect, and especially at $100-150 each time, I'd like to find a better option.

Yes, it's the detail aspect for position and drag-control and stuff that bugs me about trackpads. I kind of hate using it when I travel, so often toss my MM2 in my backpack to avoid it. Maybe it being much bigger would more quickly eliminate my dislike? (I do a lot of text selection and graphic work, sometimes CAD/3D, etc. so positioning is kind of crucial).

re: Touch Bar - Totally agree there. More ergonomic than a touch-screen, which I find absolutely silly aside from certain vertical applications. I too found that out with use of my iPad and physical keyboard for a couple years while mobile. I think a lot of people think it's (touch-screen) a better idea than it is.

 

[hayesk]

I actually bought the originally acrylic iCurve stand in 2003 and am still using it. Over its lifetime I already went through iBook G3, MacBook black, unibody MBP, and then a retina 15", and it still stands perfectly upright while looking gorgeous. There is something beautiful about its design, which I think the later versions never manage to match.

My iCurve developed a hairline crack at one of the bends, so I can no longer trust it. I only use metal stands now.

 

[Lostanddamned]

Where’s the disclosure on this paid advertising?

Or did you just copy paste a press release without changing the language from ad copy?

 

[anthorumor]

Twelve South makes very nice products that are durable and well constructed. There are cheaper options, but you will receive cheaper results in return.

Except mStand by Rain Design is better.

 

[SteveW928]

Except mStand by Rain Design is better.

That doesn't look quite as nice, IMO, but I guess it partly depends on whether you have plain aluminum or space-gray.

Also, I think the Curve would allow for more cooling, or at least more cooling options. Neither directly interfaces with the laptop (there are silicone pads/strips) so there is an air-space preventing them from doing a good job at direct heat transfer, so being open to the air should be better (and you could more easily add a tiny desk-fan to get some air movement).

 

[826317]

Looks very nice but too expensive for me.

 

[groovyd]

I'm assuming MBPs cool better if open? (vs clam shell mode)

In my experience the wireless mouse stops working or tracks terribly... even though I don't use the macbook monitor I found I have to keep the lid open just enough to where the monitor stays off but enough to let my magic mouse mostly work. It is actually kind of ridiculous to be honest because they are only 2 feet from each other but somehow the bluetooth doesn't work reliably without cracking the lid?

 

[SteveW928]

In my experience the wireless mouse stops working or tracks terribly... even though I don't use the macbook monitor I found I have to keep the lid open just enough to where the monitor stays off but enough to let my magic mouse mostly work. It is actually kind of ridiculous to be honest because they are only 2 feet from each other but somehow the bluetooth doesn't work reliably without cracking the lid?

Hmm, that's odd. Something must be blocking the signal/antenna when closed, or some other issue. I've not heard that one before, but Apple does have a long history of flaky WiFi/BT issues... often with a particular model, or certain run within a model. The problems were pretty widespread in the mid-2000s but haven't heard a lot recently.

I run my MacBook Air in clamshell right now, but I know a MBP generates a lot more heat. I really don't need the 2nd screen most of the time, but I also don't want to damage the machine. It's one of the reasons I keep hesitating between going 100% MBP w/ external GPU vs a desktop + keep my MBA.

 

[mabhatter]

I love TwelveSouth stuff, but i've genuinely never understood what one of these stands is for.

I don't really get the idea of putting a laptop higher up in front of another keyboard.

Then again i've got an iMac to sit at a desk at but I generally just sit on the sofa with my MacBook Pro for most of the day.

It puts a laptop screen at roughly the same height as a desktop/iMac screen which helps good sitting posture and reduces sore necks.

I had an iCurve on my desk at work before they started buying everyone proper docks... laptop docs don't stack up as nicely (to match the monitor height) as the iCurve did. Still have the iCurve in my cube because I'd hate to see the boring Windows guys trash it.

 

[dannys1]

It puts a laptop screen at roughly the same height as a desktop/iMac screen which helps good sitting posture and reduces sore necks.

I had an iCurve on my desk at work before they started buying everyone proper docks... laptop docs don't stack up as nicely (to match the monitor height) as the iCurve did. Still have the iCurve in my cube because I'd hate to see the boring Windows guys trash it.

But it puts a 15" screen futher away than it should be so it's too small and hurts my eyes, and it stops me using the keyboard and trackpad I paid a fortune for. I've just never needed, nor wanted to do this, I think it looks ridiculous.

 

[Geordiekeith]

I actually bought the originally acrylic iCurve stand in 2003 and am still using it. Over its lifetime I already went through iBook G3, MacBook black, unibody MBP, and then a retina 15", and it still stands perfectly upright while looking gorgeous. There is something beautiful about its design, which I think the later versions never manage to match.

Same here = except for the gorgeous bit as it is invisibly holding my MacBook next to my ASUS screen as the base is covered with papers. Been using it for years so it is a Best Buy for me.

 

[plinktog]

If I didn't already have a Roost stand, I would definitely consider this. I've looked at many others which don't come close because I use a stand with an external keyboard to raise the screen to a better height for my neck.

This and the Roost share an feature which I didn't find elsewhere in anything like as practical a package. They keep the base open for better airflow and cooling. I hate noisy fans and this helps a little to reduce the need for fans.

Differences are:

• The Curve allows full clamshell, which is neater than the Roost, which doesn't quite do it, but obviously full clamshell presents a smaller heat emission surface, while the Roost provides internal heat dissipation as well. Also, like the Curve, the Roost sends fan noise out of the back, which makes them both quieter. While semi shut, the Roost is easier to open to get at the power key etc.
• The Curve is much prettier than the Roost. I am easily seduced by looks.
• The Roost is foldable down to almost nothing in size or weight for transport. I carry it in my laptop bag with a Magic mouse & keyboard. For working with clients on site or in hotels, this is a game changer.
• The Roost has adjustable height. I do use that, depending on how close I have it.
• The Roost has a bit more base surface exposed for heat dissipation.
• My Caldigit Thunderbolt 3 dock would probably sit well under my MBP on a Curve, but that wouldn't work with the Roost.

So to summarise, the Curve is better looking and technically excellent if you are not going to travel with your laptop (remind me why you got a laptop??), or if you can also afford a Roost as well for travel. But otherwise, the Roost is a better all-rounder. I love my Roost, but I know I would love a Curve too.