Say hello to the BookArc Flex, Twelve South’s latest vertical MacBook stand that keeps any MacBook or other laptop upright when used in clamshell mode.
Twelve South, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, has been selling the regular BookArc stand for years. Its latest release, the BookArc Flex, is an improved version of the original stand with a more premium design and enhanced features.
If you use your laptop in clamshell mode, this accessory will tidy your desk. It props up your notebook vertically to free up space and keep your setup minimal.
Twelve South’s new BookArc Flex vertical laptop stand is perfect for using your MacBook in clamshell mode
My desktop writing station consists of my 15-inch MacBook Pro connected to an Apple Thunderbolt Display and Apple’s wireless keyboard and trackpad.
This is called clamshell mode, although Apple prefers to refer to it as Closed-Display Mode, and I’m a big fan and believer. Clamshell mode enables me to use my laptop with its lid closed as long as I keep it connected to an external display, plugged into power and paired with an external keyboard and mouse or trackpad.
Whenever I feel like clamshell mode, I use my BookArc stand (the regular version). It fairly holds my computer upright, Â reducing its footprint significantly.
The new BookArc Flex uses two metal arches that are connected by a pair of flexible parts at the bottom. This allows the accessory to actually flex, bringing the two arches closer together when you put your laptop in it. In other words, the new BookArc Flex adapts to the size of your notebook. And like the original version, the new BookArc Flex is one of the best vertical stands for your notebook.
Inspired by the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge
The intelligent design lets the BookArc Flex adapt to the laptop’s thickness and weight, whether the compact 13-inch MacBook Air or the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Because of that, the special inserts that the original BookArc ships with to support various MacBook models are not necessary for the new version.
The BookArc Flex has a metal frame, but the soft rubber pads protect your laptop from scratches and damage. Its design was inspired by the Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, where Twelve South is based.
Pricing and availability
The new BookArc Flex is available in three finishes—White, Matte Black, and Chrome—from the Twelve South web store. The White and Matte Black versions will set you back $50 each, while the Chrome version is $10 extra at $60.