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Twelve South Launches New BookArc Flex

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Apr 12, 2001
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Twelve South today announced the launch of the BookArc Flex, a new stand designed for MacBooks that are used in clamshell mode while connected to a display.

twelve-south-bookarc-flex.jpg

The BookArc Flex has a unique build that features a two legs connected by a flexible interior piece. A laptop is placed in the middle on the flexible part, which pulls the legs together to secure it upright using the weight of the laptop.

Twelve South says that the design was inspired by the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina. The bridge has two steel arches that are indeed similar to the design of the BookArc Flex.

We were able to test the BookArc Flex ahead of its launch, and while the design works well, it is important to ensure the laptop goes directly in the center of the stand. It's not difficult to do, and placing the laptop correctly ensures that it remains secure. If it's not placed in the center, however, it can shift out of place, though a misalignment is quickly noticeable.

The construction of the BookArc Flex allows it to work with laptops of multiple sizes without different inserts, and it is compatible with the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro from Apple. The slim size of the BookArc Flex ensures that it does not take up too much room on a desk, and it tucks a MacBook out of the way when used in clamshell mode.

Twelve South's BookArc Flex is priced starting at $50 it is available today from the Twelve South website.

Article Link: Twelve South Launches New BookArc Flex
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/16/twelve-south-bookarc-flex/
I like the original BookArc, that is hideous.

Glad I went with this as it is adjustable.

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Twelve South stopped creating new silicon inserts for the BookArc years ago, which rendered the original BookArc completely useless if you upgraded your MacBook to a newer / different sized model. I'm grateful to see this has a "future-proof" design, but my previous experience with the original BookArc has left a very bad taste in my mouth.
 
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NotAdvisable said:
Twelve South stopped creating new silicon inserts for the BookArc years ago, which rendered the original BookArc completely useless if you upgraded your MacBook to a newer / different sized model. I'm grateful to see this has a "future-proof" design, but my previous experience with the original BookArc has left a very bad taste in my mouth.
Click to expand...
They still make new inserts - just bought one last year for my M1 MacBook Pro 14"
 
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NotAdvisable said:
Twelve South stopped creating new silicon inserts for the BookArc years ago, which rendered the original BookArc completely useless if you upgraded your MacBook to a newer / different sized model. I'm grateful to see this has a "future-proof" design, but my previous experience with the original BookArc has left a very bad taste in my mouth.
Click to expand...
They still sell the Book Arc so I'm not sure why you think they stopped making inserts.
 
I love my BookArc it still looks and functions beautifully.
Honestly that Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge inspiration is questionable...
The functionality concept seems more like it was inspired by this product that I ordered from Amazon 3 years ago for my wife.

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Nonetheless, Twelve South design looks more elegant.
 

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I love that they made this future proof. I got one of the original BookArcs and continued to use it up until I got my M1 Pro.

Right now, I'm using a much less expensive Macally vertical stand. It works great and is also future proof, but it takes a bit of concentration to get your laptop in it. I much prefer something like this that's much easier to drop your laptop into.

On the other hand, the footprint of TwelveSouth stands is pretty significant when you don't have a lot of desk space. They're made to be noticed and act accordingly.
 
Max Book said:
Wait, why would someone want to buy a MacBook and then buy an external monitor, external mouse, external keyboard, and use it this way? Why not just get an iMac if a desktop computer is needed?
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Why would you get a desktop? The MacBook Pro line are more powerful than the iMac and have the same power as the Mac Studio, besides the Ultra chip.

And I can unplug the 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro and work in the garden in the summer. Are you going to bring your iMac or Mac Studio outside in the summer?
 
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Zest28 said:
Or ….

View attachment 2337422
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When people complain that the problem with iMacs is that you have to throw out the monitor when you're done with the computer, this guy's like "Hold my beer collection."

Impressive, but how does one even power a 21" iMac like this? You can't bring the kind of backup power station you'd need to drive that on a plane.
 
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dannyyankou said:
I understand people use their MacBook this way to save desk space, but why not just get an iMac or Mac mini? Or Mac Studio for more power?
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In my case, I needed to upgrade both intel iMac and intel MBP, so I started with the M3 Max 14” and couldn’t bring myself to also get an M2 Ultra studio considering the performance differential versus M3 Max is negligible. I’m considering an M3 Ultra Studio, but the docked MBP is exceeding my expectations. Runs with 2 Studio Displays flawlessly.

I opted for the Grovemade laptop stand since it’s a universal fit and exceptionally high quality.
 
darngooddesign said:
But do you even music studio bro!
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He should be paying rent! :oops:

Years ago, there used to be a guy in my town who liked hanging out at the coffeeshop so much that he worked something out with them to rent a small space off to the side. He put up a small privacy screen and setup a workstation behind it. Most of the time he hung out in the front.

It seemed like a really chill way to conduct business and to be honest, I envied him a bit.
 
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