Run your MacBook with an external monitor? Looking for a way to regain some of that lost desk space from a laptop sitting on your work surface? Or maybe you’re using your MacBook as a home theater PC and have it crammed into your entertainment center. How can the BookArc help you? Keep reading to find out.

When I’m in my home office, I run my MacBook Pro exclusively in “clamshell” or “closed-lid” mode, meaning I use an external monitor, keyboard and mouse and keep my laptop tucked out of the way (check this Apple support article if you don’t know what I’m talking about). I’ve tried setting it down in numerous places, but I constantly am knocking out the power cord or reaching behind my desk for dropped cables as I put it in and out of this configuration. I’m happy to say I’ve finally found a solution – and its name is BookArc.

The BookArc is a laptop stand from twelvesouth, makers of some fantastic Mac-only accessories, including the previously reviewed, and awesome, SurfacePad.  I was immediately struck with the beauty of this product. Once again, from the packaging to the industrial design of the device itself, twelvesouth paid attention to every detail – just like Apple does in its line of portables. The BookArc is a metal laptop stand in the shape of a gentle, curving arc. A notch in the middle holds your closed laptop while still providing access to all the machine’s ports and DVD drive.

The BookArc includes three silicone inserts that fit into the opening on the top of stand. These cushioned inserts are slightly different sizes, designed for the different thicknesses of Apple’s current line-up of laptops. You simply put the correct insert into the BookArc – each insert is clearly numbered and a corresponding chart in the instructions tells you which one you need for your MacBook model*. After that, you’re good to go.

From here, you simply sit your MacBook into the stand. The inserts cradle the laptop and small rubber feet on the BookArc keep it in place while sitting on your desk. This is aided by the sheer weight of the stand. twelvesouth’s website says the BookArc only weighs a little over a pound, but it sure feels heavier than that. But don’t misunderstand me, this is a very good thing. When your MacBook is sitting upright in the stand, the last thing you want to do is to be worrying about it falling over if you bump your desk. The heft of the BookArc, combined with the non-stick rubber feet, keep this thing glued in place.

Honestly, there really isn’t much more to “review” about this product. It works exactly as advertised, and it looks damn good doing it. The brushed metallic surface and smooth, clean lines match the design of Apple’s laptops perfectly. As you can see from the amount of photos in this review’s gallery, I really like the look of this stand. If you need to free up some desk space or are just looking for a unique way to hold your laptop in clamshell mode, this is the stand for you. I highly recommend this product and look forward to seeing what twelvesouth has up their sleeves next.

The BookArc is available from the twelvesouth website.

MSRP: $49.99 (with free shipping)

PROS: beautiful design, stays in place, fits multiple sized laptops

CONS: a tad pricey for a one-trick pony

* Tip, if you have a thin case on your machine, such as a Speck SeeThru (like I do), you can just go up one from the recommended insert size and your machine will still fit into the BookArc just fine.