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ZenDock Tries to Solve Age-Old MacBook Docking Problem

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MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,548
30,865



Apple hasn't sold a notebook docking solution since the Duo Dock for the PowerBook Duo. However, a new campaign on Kickstarter has designed a new dock that can be used with any current MacBook Pro model, including the new Retina units.

The ZenDock connects to the Thunderbolt, USB, Gigabit Ethernet, and FireWire ports, while leaving a clever gap for the MagSafe power adapter to slide through. A single cable connects to a mountable base equipped for desktop accessories to be permanently connected to.

zendock.jpg
Our team of 4 has been developing ZenDock for just a year. About 4 months ago we tested the concept and the response was overwhelming and so we dove head first into creating our vision. We set out to build ZenDock with 2 design principles in mind. First was to build an elegant solution that would seamlessly integrate with your MacBook. Second was to build a device that just works, yet doesn't get in your way. Both versions always leave at least one USB, SD and headphone port accessible right on your Macbook, while allowing more permanent devices to be connected to the base. The ZenDock is CNC milled from solid blocks of ultra high quality T6061 aluminum, bead blasted and anodized to beautifully match your MacBook.
Click to expand...
The ZenDock is available to Kickstarter backers starting at $109 for a limited early-bird backing price, though the company expects to sell the dock for $179 when it hits retail shelves. ZenDock expects to ship to backers in October of this year.

There are a number of Thunderbolt docks on the market that perform a similar function, but they are significantly more expensive -- though they do provide much more functionality. Sonnet has announced a dock with an internal drive bay and optical drive starting at $400, while Matrox and Belkin have announced their own Thunderbolt docking stations.

Article Link: ZenDock Tries to Solve Age-Old MacBook Docking Problem
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/04/09/zendock-tries-to-solve-age-old-macbook-docking-problem/
Rudy69

Rudy69

macrumors 6502a
Mar 30, 2009
790
2,415
The Retina one takes out two thunderbolt ports and only gives you one? It should at least include an ethernet port to make up for this
 
Z

zigzag801

macrumors member
Apr 5, 2008
49
3
Rudy69 said:
The Retina one takes out two thunderbolt ports and only gives you one? It should at least include an ethernet port to make up for this
Click to expand...

I was really excited about this for my Retina, until I read your comment and looked back at the article. Too bad it only has one thunderbolt output :( . I use three monitors at home so I need all the ports I can get!
 
A

AbSoluTc

Suspended
Sep 21, 2008
5,104
4,002
Nice until Apple refreshes the ports and changes the entire getup rendering the device useless.
 
rdas7

rdas7

macrumors regular
Nov 17, 2002
165
22
London, England
Rudy69 said:
The Retina one takes out two thunderbolt ports and only gives you one? It should at least include an ethernet port to make up for this
Click to expand...

No, worse: it takes up 2 Thunderbolt ports and gives you one DISPLAYPORT. That's a major oversight.

With those Sonnet or Belkin Thunderbolt solutions you don't even really need a dock. You can just connect the one Thunderbolt cable, and you're done —*leaving all the ports on your laptop free.

Looks like they somewhat missed the point of Thunderbolt :/
 
FoundAHalo

FoundAHalo

macrumors member
Jul 3, 2009
75
7
Raleigh, NC
Rudy69 said:
The Retina one takes out two thunderbolt ports and only gives you one? It should at least include an ethernet port to make up for this
Click to expand...

Unless I'm mistaken in my read of the kickstarter page, it replaces one TB port with Mini DP (on the hub part), and allows for a "pass-through" Thunderbolt cable in the dock module itself. So you wind up being able to run a display, and have a data Thunderbolt port. Not quite as good as two Thunderbolt ports, but probably sufficient for most situations.
 
R

Rocco83

macrumors 6502
Jul 3, 2011
287
408
After taking a look at the kickstarter page it doesn't look as bad as I previously thought. With how few peripherals there are right now for thunderbolt, at least this hub is much more affordable than others. Personally to me, it is probably the most pleasing on the eyes as well.
 
G

gatearray

macrumors 65816
Apr 24, 2010
1,130
232
rdas7 said:
No, worse: it takes up 2 Thunderbolt ports and gives you one DISPLAYPORT. That's a major oversight.

With those Sonnet or Belkin Thunderbolt solutions you don't even really need a dock. You can just connect the one Thunderbolt cable, and you're done —*leaving all the ports on your laptop free.

Looks like they somewhat missed the point of Thunderbolt :/
Click to expand...

you hit the nail on the head, thank you for posting!

many people miss the point of Thuderbolt, it acts a lot like the PCIe slots on a Mac Pro, a direct injection into the brain of your computer. it's backwards compatible with all previous connectors like FW and USB, and has plenty of thoughput to handle multiple instances of each, it's wonderful tech that often gets a bad rap from those without a clue! :eek:

anyway, those belkin/sonnet docks you mentioned take a single cable and in the end, turn it into what what looks like the back of a Mac Mini. :)
 
L

laflores

macrumors regular
May 5, 2011
139
1
Costa Rica
I wonder if it is easy to detach the connector in a MacBook Pro, since it includes an RJ-45 connector with a latch that must be pushed down in order to remove it. They never detach it in the video.
Besides that, I hate videos with people staring everywhere but the camera...
 
eternlgladiator

eternlgladiator

macrumors 68000
Jun 20, 2010
1,766
104
Twin Cities
cmChimera said:
Pay 109 bucks and lose two thunderbolt ports?
Click to expand...

You only "lose" one. One is a direct pass through, the other turns to display port on the dock.

laflores said:
I wonder if it is easy to detach the connector in a MacBook Pro, since it includes an RJ-45 connector with a latch that must be pushed down in order to remove it. They never detach it in the video.
Besides that, I hate videos with people staring everywhere except the camera...
Click to expand...

I'm sure the latch is just gone since the rest of the dock cable to keep it connected. Those cords still work without the latch. They just have the stay in place since losing connection is a big deal.
 
BC2009

BC2009

macrumors 68020
Jul 1, 2009
2,237
1,393
I think I would much rather wait for an updated Thunderbolt Display that has USB 3, then connect to the Thunderbolt Display via a thunderbolt cable and instantly have a bunch of ports on the back of the Thunderbolt Display be active and connected to my peripherals.

The whole point of Thunderbolt is to have one cable for docking. Any docking solution should use a single thunderbolt port and then replicate all the needed ports on the other end.
 
C

CmdrThor

macrumors member
Jun 9, 2011
97
8
Atlanta, GA
It looks like this doesn't come with a power cable either, just a slot for you to put the magsafe connector of your power adapter. So if you want this to sit on your desk all the time and be able to take your power adapter with you, you either have to buy another power adapter or pull the power cord out of it every time.

The other thunderbolt docks don't include power either, but from some of the pictures of this on on their kickstarter page it sort of looks like the power cable might be included.
 
P

polaris20

macrumors 68020
Jul 13, 2008
2,491
753
I'd rather just get the Matrox dock unit. It's more expensive, but less cumbersome, IMO.
 
longofest

longofest

Editor emeritus
Jul 10, 2003
2,925
1,693
Falls Church, VA
While the relatively cheap price is nice, the need for a "docking" solution like this with multiple ports has really declined with thunderbolt and some of the solutions out there, like Apple's own thunderbolt display.

Though... once again, the circa $100 price does hit a sweet spot.
 
baryon

baryon

macrumors 68040
Oct 3, 2009
3,878
2,929
But since you still have to "Eject" every single external storage unit before you unplug it, it will rarely save time since you have to wait ages before unplugging anyway.
 
roland.g

roland.g

macrumors 604
Apr 11, 2005
7,414
3,152
I'm guessing with power on one side and thunderbolt on the other, the Air was left out. Maybe it doesn't need it as much?
 
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