For over 7 years, my working from home solution was to use the Citrix Workspace app on my Mac to remotely connect to a Windows 10 laptop that remained on my desk in the office. With the introduction of Windows 11 into the company in 2024, this was no longer allowed, and I needed to fit a new Lenovo ThinkPad into my home setup.
It has been a real challenge working out how to introduce the ThinkPad when needed and get it out of the way when not. I also wanted to use my Studio Display with the ThinkPad. My previous semi-permanent setup for my MacBook Pro simply did not allow room for an extra laptop.
I decided that I could do without having the MacBook Pro lid open. The extra screen was useful, but having the laptop open on the desk takes considerable space. It could be used in clamshell mode; I just needed to figure out where to put it.
The first thing that came to mind was the TwelveSouth BookArc. I had seen these in reviews some years previously. I looked around for any alternatives and none looked right for me. However, no local retailers were stocking the BookArc any more. Not even Apple.
I did find, however, that Apple stocks the newer BookArc Flex. It looked pretty clever, and local retailers carried it, including Apple, so I bought one. I will soon be selling it.
The BookArc Flex comprises two sturdy metal tubes that are curved. Imagine a parenthesis character lying open side down and you have the approximate shape. These are terminated at each end with grippy feet. The two arcs are then joined by two flexible but sturdy ‘straps’ that form a cradle between the tubes.
Placing the feet on the desk, you lower the edge of your closed laptop into the cradle and the weight causes the two tubes to come together and grip the laptop with rubber bumpers. It is elegant in its simplicity. What is not elegant is when I, twice, knocked over the laptop, causing minor mayhem on that area of the desk with cables straining, items flying, and laptop crashing!
What is not mentioned at all in the listing on Apple’s site is that it is unsuited for 16” laptops! Only at the bottom of a long product page on TwelveSouth’s own website does this sentence appear in an FAQ — which you have to expand to read.
BookArc Flex holds most laptops with up to a 14-inch screen and under 1-inch thick, perfectly sturdy.
After the second incident, I decided I needed to revisit my solution. I once again determined that the BookArc (not the BookArc Flex) was what I wanted. I confirmed no local retailers carried it, and then ordered it directly from TwelveSouth. At the same time, I ordered the Curve Riser, reviewed separately, and was shocked at the shipping cost being more than the cost of the two items. Oh, well.
The BookArc is basically a flat strip of aluminium, approximately 4 mm thick, bent into an arc. The dimension that will matter the most is width, which is 9.14 cm. Your laptop will be the defining size in depth, as well as in height.
It has soft, grippy, silicone feet attached to each end, and a broad slot through the middle. It comes with a selection of silicone inserts for the slot, which conform to different models of laptop. Inserts are included by default for all current MacBook Pro models and one model of MacBook Air, but you can add an extra insert for other MacBook Air models for free when ordering directly from TwelveSouth.
After removing the insert installed in the box and replacing it with the correct one for my 16” MacBook Pro, I cautiously slotted my laptop in. It fits snugly, though with enough play that it doesn’t need to be forced at all. That play does allow some amount of wobble, but there is no way it’s falling out of the BookArc unless I am particularly rough with it. The BookArc Flex allowed the tiniest of knocks to topple it. I have since downsized to a 14” MacBook Pro and it fits a little more snugly in its insert.
The one minor niggle I have is when I insert or remove an SD card or a USB cable on the near end of the laptop, it is prone to slide a little in the slot, but not so much that it’s in danger of falling out. This is easily countered by holding the top of the laptop and, frankly, is a much better problem to have than the toppling risk.
I’m happy with the BookArc, which vindicates my initial research. You can order, in either silver or space grey, directly from TwelveSouth for $19.99. Other retailers may stock it, just not in New Zealand.
You can order the BookArc Flex, in black, white, or chrome, directly from TwelveSouth for $39.99. I’m not sure if I’d trust it for even a 14” MacBook Pro, but they claim it will be sturdy. Your mileage may vary.