Macbook Pro 13" Docking station

[brendu]

Hey so I use my mbp with an external dell monitor as a desktop when i need to do real work. I have a bluetooth keyboard and wireless usb mouse hooked up, power cord hooked up, and speakers hooked up. I want to add a usb hub also. Im thinking of trying to setup some kind of mod where I have all the plugs lined up on some sort of bar so I can just snap it on and have everything hook up at once instead of fumbling with all the different connectors every time i want to set it up...

does anyone know of an already existing docking station that serves this purpose? or has anyone made a mod like this before?

EDIT:forgot to mention, im trying to keep this cheap, everything I have found is over $200 and I would like to keep anything i get/make under $100

 

[spinnerlys]

BookEndz Docking Station for 280USD

found via type in what you look for machine

 

[brendu]

found via type in what you look for machine

yeah i saw that but its way out of the "i want under $100" range.... and its hideous.

 

[spinnerlys]

yeah i saw that but its way out of the "i want under $100" range.... and its hideous.

Yeah, you did not mention it while I was posting.

There was one for the older white MacBook, but it seems there is none for the current generation. Maybe there is not that much demand.

 

[ScoobyMcDoo]

Seems I read some reviews of bookendz which were not very kind.

Looks like you can get them off fleabay for potentially alot less money.

 

[brendu]

yeah, im thinking about just modding up my own... if it happens ill post some pics..

 

[rumpus]

Hollllyyy hell that's U-G-L-Y BLYYAAA !!

 

[needlz]

Has anyone ever tried to use:

Dynadock: http://laptops.toshiba.com/dynadock or
Vaio Dock: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...66439&storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10551 or
Acer USB Dock: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-USB-2-0-Port-Replicator/dp/B000I2IP5M

Thanks

 

[michellflaver]

Hi...

I believe that SKU: BE-MBP15 is the best docking station that fulfils your need...

It replicates all of the connectors and ports from the sides of the 15" MacBook and routes the connectors, to the back of the dock and uniquely manages the new MacSafe Power Connector. The dock allows for all of the peripheral devices normally connected to the sides of the MacBook Pro.Taking the computer from the office or the home, or moving it from one room to another, doesn't require disconnecting and reconnecting several devices.

 

[RonnyC]

This is probably the neatest solution that I've come across so far:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/19/henge-docks-finally-a-well-designed-docking-station-for-apple/

Good luck!

 

[Dozerrox]

yeah, im thinking about just modding up my own... if it happens ill post some pics..

I've tried before with an old laptop and it looked pretty good but it wasn't very useful tbh.

Those henge docks look sweet. If I didn't mind losing the use of the laptop screen and keyboard I'd def get that. Personally don't really like the bookendz docking station.

 

[chrispholt]

Anyone know when they will be expanding to other macbook sizes. ( they only have a 13" one)
Still it looks very nice. But is it needed?

 

[scottyd]

Proposed date for all the other Henge Dock sizes/models

This article contains a mention of when the MacBook, and MacBook Pro 15" and 17" Henge Docks will be available:

Henge Docks – docking stations for Apple Mac notebooks

 

[BryanLyle]

It looks like the power plug on the new Macbooks won't work with these docks

 

[Scottsdale]

This article contains a mention of when the MacBook, and MacBook Pro 15" and 17" Henge Docks will be available:

Henge Docks – docking stations for Apple Mac notebooks

I was going to link this. The Henge dock is amazing compared to anything else on the market. It is too bad Apple doesn't make its own docking solution. I personally don't get why Apple stays out of markets that offer a lot of high-end components Apple users will definitely consider especially if there's an Apple logo on it.

I always think of all of the Apple customers who want to give good old Apple, Inc. more of their hard earned money but Apple doesn't want it. Forget about being an Apple customer for a minute, how about the AAPL shareholders? Why not take advantage of the market for AAPL?

So why no docking station tied into an iMac as was the concept and heavily publicized patent application? I guess now there's the Henge Dock until Apple decides to compete there. Most amazing is the price point of the Henge Dock. At $69 the Henge Dock is worth every penny.

 

[2high2aim]

Does anyone have a henge dock and if so...will it work with an invisishield attached to the 15 MBP? Or will it be to tight of a squeeze?

If you have a 13 Henge Dock then please tell me if your MBP 13 attached with invisihield fits in properly

 

[johnnymg]

This is probably the neatest solution that I've come across so far:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/19/henge-docks-finally-a-well-designed-docking-station-for-apple/

Good luck!

This does look like a good option. Has anyone tried it?

 

[watanabe8]

Henge Dock User

I have the 13" macbook pro version with a Speck cover. I use the henge dock at my office, but you have to remove any type of cover. It fits so snuggly I thought it was going to scratch the aluminum. It does leave a mark every time i remove it but it just wipes off with my fingers. No marks! relieved to say the least. Thought i was going to send it back, but so far works great. The cat5 cable was a little tricky but everything worked great. I use it with the new BT keyboard and magic mouse, so i don't need it open when working. One con, it took a little fanagling to get all the cords to disappear into the dock but after moving the video adapter all was well.

 

[Hans Brix]

That first BookEndz doc posted could be much better. Definitely not worth the price.

We use Dell systems at my company and find the port replicator/stand combination excellent, very simple to use, and infinitely better than the single BookEndz unit we own.