Twelve South Launches BookArc Inserts for 16-Inch MacBook Pro and New MacBook Air

[MacRumors]

Twelve South today announced that you can now purchase BookArc inserts for Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro, new 13-inch MacBook Pro, and new MacBook Air. The BookArc is one of Twelve South's organizational accessories that stores the MacBook vertically in order to reduce desktop clutter.

Up until today, the BookArc didn't support Apple's latest family of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks, but now owners of these devices can purchase inserts for the BookArc. Other than the updated inserts, the overall design of the BookArc hasn't changed, and it's available in colors that match either Silver or Space Gray Mac notebooks.

The BookArc costs $59.99 on Twelve South's website. If you already own the accessory, you can purchase standalone inserts for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, new 13-inch MacBook Pro, or new MacBook Air separately on the company's online storefront. These products run for $14.99, and legacy options are also available, for MacBook models dating back to 2010.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Twelve South. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Twelve South Launches BookArc Inserts for 16-Inch MacBook Pro and New MacBook Air

 

[beanbaguk]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

 

[kissmo]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

I do but not always.

I don't have space always on my desk. I have a 3440x1440 monitor and the laptop on the side. But sometimes, I find turning my head quite tiering.
So I do clamshell mode on the MBP and put the iPad in front of the monitor (in desk drawing mode - I have a support for it) and the Mac runs closed.
It actually runs a lot cooler since it uses only external GPU.

Anyway, I can fit it on the BookArc quite well with the existing rubber bands.

 

[AppleWarMachine]

No Gold color option

 

[icanhazmac]

Who does this?!

I do it, your smugness aside, I do this because while working from home I have 2 27" monitors that perform better for my purposes than 1 monitor and the laptop screen, YMMV but I won't crap on you for it.

That being said I went with this one, adjustable so it works with cases.

OMOTON Vertical Laptop Stand Holder, Desktop Aluminum Stand for MacBook with Adjustable Dock Size, Fits All MacBook, Surface, Chromebook and Gaming Laptops (Up to 17.3 inches), Gray

OMOTON Vertical Laptop Stand Holder, Desktop Aluminum Stand for MacBook with Adjustable Dock Size, Fits All MacBook, Surface, Chromebook and Gaming Laptops (Up to 17.3 inches), Gray

www.amazon.com

 

[Johnny Steps]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

You would be surprised by a concept known as ‘having options’ that people will do from time to time.

 

[velocityg4]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

A couple examples:
- People with OCD who can't stand having two different screens.
- People who prefer large screens and only use the laptop screen when they have to.

 

[il_teo77]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

I did it all the time. I don't need two screens (at different heights unless you have a stand for the MacBook). The option of having more real estate on a bigger screen and have the Mac arranged vertically was very welcome. The quality of the product, in its simplicity, is really good.

Too bad Apple doesn't make a CinemaDisplay anymore. Mine broke and, instead of a second monitor, I am now appreciating my RetinaDisplay more.

But there are people who appreciate it (I am one of those)

 

[subi257]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

If I use 2 monitors, I want them to be the same, otherwise it's rough on the eyes.

 

[dscottj431]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

It allows you to run much bigger screens (and more of them) than what comes with the laptop. It takes up a LOT less space when it's held vertically.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

I use my MacBook basically as a Mac mini most of the time, and I find it easier to concentrate with only 1 monitor on a vesa mount that I can move around as needed, along with an ergonomic mouse and mechanical keyboard. Since I’m only using one screen, I would rather have a large monitor rather than a 16 inch or 15 inch. The book arc and others like it is a great solution, letting me saving a lot space on my desk.

 

[FightTheFuture]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

I’ve been doing the reverse, using the 16-inch MBP’s screen as my primary monitor and my 2K 27” viewsonic as secondary.

I missed out on the retina MBP, and the touchbar MBP and wanted to get the full experience. Plus I use the 16’s speakers and ditched my Harman Kardon’s for more space.

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

isn't this the setup that can cause battery swelling long term? the forum topic has a bunch of people with 2018 MPB swelling batteries who claim this is how they used their MPB. I put 760 cycles on my other MacBook with no issues and never used it in this mode. always off the battery

 

[BlueTide]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

I did, for a good while. Wacom tablets don't/didn't have a good dual monitor support so it was easier to just use one large monitor.

 

[DogHouseDub]

i would flip the MBP upside down, so the vents are at the top. #heatkills

 

[BigMcGuire]

I do this all the time. My wife got me one of these for my 13' MBP and it is amazing. 4k monitor, my MBP standing beautifully beside it... works really well. Add charge limiter for Mac OS and you've got yourself a neat, tidy, beautiful setup.

Yes, I have my MBP up side down so the vents are at the top. @DogHouseDub
[automerge]1591801722[/automerge]

isn't this the setup that can cause battery swelling long term? the forum topic has a bunch of people with 2018 MPB swelling batteries who claim this is how they used their MPB. I put 760 cycles on my other MacBook with no issues and never used it in this mode. always off the battery

I've seen and had lots of laptops that I've left plugged in for most of their lives. I don't think this happens to most laptops - some, yes.

 

[Ron21]

isn't this the setup that can cause battery swelling long term? the forum topic has a bunch of people with 2018 MPB swelling batteries who claim this is how they used their MPB. I put 760 cycles on my other MacBook with no issues and never used it in this mode. always off the battery

Yes, clamshell mode kills Macbooks. I highly advise anyone to re-consider this setup and keep the MacBook open when in use.

See this thread of what can happen to your MacBook with this type of use case -

MacBook Pro 2018 swelling

Is my MBP 2018 (2.9GHz 32GB) about to explode? See what I just noticed today: I have most of the time the MBP connected to its charger, closed and used with an external monitor and keyboard/mouse. Is my case unique or are there other reports of MBP2018 swelling after one year of use?

forums.macrumors.com

 

[1Peace]

What about the situation when you have SmartShell on your MacBook? Will it work then?

 

[AJTC]

I tried to order a new insert and the shipping costs as much as the insert. No thank you!

 

[icanhazmac]

What about the situation when you have SmartShell on your MacBook? Will it work then?

Might not with the Twelve South as they use a fitted insert but the one I listed above is adjustable so it works fine.

 

[4487549]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

Better thermal performance (exhaust fans on the bottom aren't blocked). If you have an older model with a butterfly keyboard, you can use your own keyboard. Use real function and Escape keys instead of Touch Bar. Better ergonomics by having control of keyboard and trackpad positions. Plus all the benefits everyone else listed.
[automerge]1591804396[/automerge]

I do it, your smugness aside I do this because while working from home I have 2 27" monitors that perform better for my purposes than 1 monitor and the laptop monitor, YMMV but I won't crap on you for it.

That being said I went with this one, adjustable so it works with cases.

OMOTON Vertical Laptop Stand Holder, Desktop Aluminum Stand for MacBook with Adjustable Dock Size, Fits All MacBook, Surface, Chromebook and Gaming Laptops (Up to 17.3 inches), Gray

OMOTON Vertical Laptop Stand Holder, Desktop Aluminum Stand for MacBook with Adjustable Dock Size, Fits All MacBook, Surface, Chromebook and Gaming Laptops (Up to 17.3 inches), Gray

www.amazon.com

Be careful: that model looks like it blocks half the exhaust ports on the bottom.

 

[Westside guy]

What's the point of this? Instead of being able to utilise both screens for a beautiful dual monitor experience, you just clam up your notebook and shut it away?

Who does this?! 🤦‍♂️ 😂 🙄

Are you kidding? Lots of people dock their laptops - Mac or Windows - in a work environment. And most dual-monitor environments I've seen involve two similarly sized desktop monitors, not one large fixed one and one small laptop one.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Unsure why it would have taken 7 months to create an insert of a slightly different thickness.... incredible product support.

 

[Westside guy]

isn't this the setup that can cause battery swelling long term? the forum topic has a bunch of people with 2018 MPB swelling batteries who claim this is how they used their MPB.

I'll counter your anecdotal evidence with my own.

I've owned probably a dozen Mac laptops over the past 17 years - we're a Mac household, and I work on Macs. Several of those laptops were used in clamshell mode on at least a few occasions... some, quite often. Yet the only one which ever had a battery swell up was a 2009 MacBook Air - a laptop which was never used in clamshell mode.

 

[filmbuff]

I've been using my laptops in clamshell mode for a cumulative 8 years and never had a problem. In MY worthless anecdote, they last longer because there is 0 wear and tear on the screen, hinge, and keyboard.