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Hands-On With Kensington's New 'StudioCaddy' Multi-Device Charging Dock

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Kensington today unveiled its new StudioCaddy, a modular, multi-device charger that works with iPhones, AirPods, iPads, and Macs. The StudioCaddy is aimed at households that have multiple Apple products and want a single convenient place to keep them organized and charged up.



Design wise, the StudioCaddy is uncomplicated, with a streamlined look that fits in well with any decor. It's made from materials like plastic, aluminum, and a stitched fabric, and it feels like it has a durable build quality. The different pieces of the dock connect magnetically together.

There's a Qi-based charging station for the iPhone and the AirPods, featuring a vertical Qi wireless charging spot for the iPhone and a flat spot for the AirPods or AirPods Pro. Since this is just Qi, either of these spots can also be used for other devices too. For iOS devices, charging maxes out at 7.5W, but 10W charging is available for Android devices.

At the side, there's a USB-C and and a USB-A port for charging additional devices, and you can use these with the laptop and tablet stand of the StudioCaddy. A MacBook or an iPad can fit into one of the StudioCaddy's storage slots, charging through the attached cables, which are sold separately.

The tablet/laptop stand works with any size MacBook, including the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which is convenient if you need an overnight storage spot. You can leave the StudioCaddy's pieces attached together magnetically or separate them out across your desk for a custom setup.

Kensington is charging $179 for the StudioCaddy, which is expensive, but it is a solid multi-device charging station for those who need an all-in-one solution. More information is available on the Kensington website.

Article Link: Hands-On With Kensington's New 'StudioCaddy' Multi-Device Charging Dock
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/07/06/kensington-studiocaddy-dock/
Personally, I find the price reasonable enough. Add up the price of quality standalone Qi charging stands for Phone and AirPods and a quality 100W charger for a 16" MacBook Pro and a 30W charger for the iPad plus stands for them and you're probably in the ballpark of this and this looks to be pretty convenient.

I just wish it wirelessly charged faster than 7.5W, but for overnight that should be sufficient.

EDIT - Looks like it only supports 5V/3A or 9V/2.25A so it can't do laptop charging. Which does indeed change the value proposition significantly lower.
 
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MacRumors said:


Kensington today unveiled its new StudioCaddy, a modular, multi-device charger that works with iPhones, AirPods, iPads, and Macs. The StudioCaddy is aimed at households that have multiple Apple products and want a single convenient place to keep them organized and charged up.


Design wise, the StudioCaddy is uncomplicated, with a streamlined look that fits in well with any decor. It's made from materials like plastic, aluminum, and a stitched fabric, and it feels like it has a durable build quality. The different pieces of the dock connect magnetically together.

There's a Qi-based charging station for the iPhone and the AirPods, featuring a vertical Qi wireless charging spot for the iPhone and a flat spot for the AirPods or AirPods Pro. Since this is just Qi, either of these spots can also be used for other devices too. For iOS devices, charging maxes out at 7.5W, but 10W charging is available for Android devices.

At the side, there's a USB-C and and a USB-A port for charging additional devices, and you can use these with the laptop and tablet stand of the StudioCaddy. A MacBook or an iPad can fit into one of the StudioCaddy's storage slots, charging through the attached cables, which are sold separately.

The tablet/laptop stand works with any size MacBook, including the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which is convenient if you need an overnight storage spot. You can leave the StudioCaddy's pieces attached together magnetically or separate them out across your desk for a custom setup.

Kensington is charging $179 for the StudioCaddy, which is expensive, but it is a solid multi-device charging station for those who need an all-in-one solution. More information is available on the Kensington website.

Article Link: Hands-On With Kensington's New 'StudioCaddy' Multi-Device Charging Dock
Click to expand...
This review could have shown the power cord and more importantly how the power cord is connected to the unit and what kind of cord it is? The ugly parts are relevant in any review!
 
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I like how some of the promo pics don't show any cords going from the power source to the charger, and/or conveniently place the devices to obscure the cable views.
 

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CWallace said:
Personally, I find the price reasonable enough. Add up the price of quality standalone Qi charging stands for Phone and AirPods and a quality 100W charger for a 16" MacBook Pro and a 30W charger for the iPad plus stands for them and you're probably in the ballpark of this and this looks to be pretty convenient.

I just wish it wirelessly charged faster than 7.5W, but for overnight that should be sufficient.
Click to expand...
I don't believe it charges the MacBook.
 
And yet another wireless charging accessory that fails to utilize the 15W charging.

The industry must be truly resisting Apple's monetization of the MagSafe spec.
 
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PJL500 said:
This review could have shown the power cord and more importantly how the power cord is connected to the unit and what kind of cord it is? The ugly parts are relevant in any review!
Click to expand...

THIS!!! The video goes out of it's way to hide the power cord in almost every single shot.
 
PJL500 said:
This review could have shown the power cord and more importantly how the power cord is connected to the unit and what kind of cord it is? The ugly parts are relevant in any review!
Click to expand...
It comes with a QI cord... 🤔
JK


Way overpriced if you ask me, a *charger should never be more than €50...never.

* For small electronic stuff.
 
No watch charging - iPad and Macbook holder is nothing special, can get extremely similar for $20.

Power cord comes into the side as opposed to the back (to support the iPad/Macbook holder being flush with the back), less easy to hide it. This seems like poor design
 
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Kensington continues their long legacy that can be summarised with the quote "Apple users are stupid and have money to burn".

Marketing wise this is a disgrace. They stick a MB Pro there, so they make you think that this thing charges also a laptop, but I suppose we should be happy they didn't hang also an Apple Watch somewhere.

A tip for anyone who thinking buying the sad excuse of a charging hub: You can get a Satechi Dock5 for 60$ and currently they're giving away a USB-C cable for free. You get 4 USB ports and a Qi charger that deliver more power in a smaller than the Kensington one. it's short of a Qi Charger compared with the Kensington one, but has 3 extra ports, and you're saving 100$.

Kensington doesn't even make us the courtesy to write on their website what are the DIMENSIONS of this thing, because I suppose we have infinity space in our Condos overlooking Manhattan so we don't care about these menial details.
 
PJL500 said:
This review could have shown the power cord and more importantly how the power cord is connected to the unit and what kind of cord it is? The ugly parts are relevant in any review!
Click to expand...

Here's what the power port and power adapter looks like, it's huge for something that's 60W output.

IMG_20210706_191706.jpgIMG_20210706_191716.jpgIMG_20210706_191734.jpg

IMG_20210706_191749.jpg
 
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