What's up, dock? Henge ships low-cost MacBook docks
I've often heard an excuse from people who refuse to even consider a MacBook or MacBook Pro when they're in the market for a laptop. The story goes like this -- "I have this really cool Dell / Lenovo / Sony / Asus computer and when I get home, I can just pop it into my dock to hook up all the cables!" While docks have been available for Apple laptops, they're usually pretty pricey and not very well marketed.That's all about to change. A newcomer on the scene, Henge Docks, is creating a full line of MacBook docs that are just starting to ship. The first models to receive the docking goodness are the 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro (aluminum unibody), and the rest of the Apple laptop line is available for pre-order.
The docks take advantage of Apple's current design trend to put most ports on one side of the MacBook line. Your MacBook fits vertically in the dock, and any cables attach to the dock -- not to your MacBook. In many cases, cables are supplied by Henge, but other wiring (the MagSafe power cable, for example) has to be suppled by the buyer.
As I mentioned, the pricing on these docks is great. For the 13" aluminum unibody MacBook, the dock is only $59.95, while the 13" MacBook Pro dock sells for $64.95. Henge is sending us a review model to take a look at, and we plan on giving one or more docks away to lucky readers in the near future.
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Source: http://hengedocks.com/
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I've often heard an excuse from people who refuse to even consider a MacBook or MacBook Pro when they're in the market for a laptop. The...
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So, how do I iChat when using this dock?
I tried teir site but it seems, oh, unresponsive.
I want one, but my late 2006 MBP won't work with it... :(
April 20 2010 at 8:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDocks are so... '80s.
I put my notebook on the desk and snap in the power and video. Takes two seconds. Keyboard and mouse are Bluetooth. Speakers and printer connect via a AirPort Express over WiFi. Backups also go over WiFi to Time Capsule.
Wireless is so...slow.
Connecting external drives on FW 800 and internet on a cable connection saves me tons of time. I would be chewing the desk if I had to give up that speed.
I think all the attention from TUAW is overloading their servers... xD
April 20 2010 at 3:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyNew life for my 15 mbp whose backlighting died.
April 20 2010 at 2:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replywhat's up dock?
yes, this would be ideal because we connect a large monitor anyway--more landscape to work with-- for bluetooth keyboard and tablet if you are an artist!
Too bad that the port layout does not work with the new i5/i7 17" MBPs. Apple shifted the Mini DisplayPort jack and the dock companies need to redesign their products.
April 20 2010 at 12:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLow cost?!
It's a piece of lightweight plastic with zero internal wiring... for $60! It's an absurdly high price! $30 or less is where it needs to be.
@ chriskillam and fishbert:
They have a video that demonstrates the dock.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOKu9uwdwZI
In the video, they mention that the dock *comes with* USB, Ethernet, FireWire, and audio cables, specially designed to fit the dock. All you need to supply is a video adapter cable and the MagSafe power cable.
They also recommend with the latter to use official Apple MagSafe/video adapters to "ensure compatibility."
This really looks awesome to me; currently my Macbook (white) is a on an Mstand where I run it in clamshell mode on a far corner of my desk. This would let me reclaim that corner and much needed space.
That being said, a couple other options (if you don't mind clamshell mode):
BookArc: http://www.twelvesouth.com/products/bookarc/
NX Stand: http://www.macessitywebstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NXSTAND
I dunno... maybe it's just me, but this price still seems a bit steep to me, considering it's just a stand where you shuttle your own cables into. I do love the idea, however.
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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