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port replicator or dock for MBP
- Thread starter fjs08
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I know I would like a wireless (bluetooth -- no dongle) keyboard with a numeric pad for @ home use. I would not travel with it. I know Logitech makes a wireless but it requires the use of a USB port. I guess that is okay @ home and with a hub, but adds wire clutter to the desk. I guess one could argue that the 27" Thunderbolt display could serve as a docking station, but ehhhh. Not what I want or need.
Here are two that I have previously owned:
http://www.bookendzdocks.com/
http://www.hengedocks.com/
The latter is what I prefer.
http://www.bookendzdocks.com/
http://www.hengedocks.com/
The latter is what I prefer.
ok why would u want a DOCK for a cOMPUTER?
and i doubt anyone would make one for a 2006 out of date machine
and i doubt anyone would make one for a 2006 out of date machine
>>ok why would u want a DOCK for a cOMPUTER? <<
It's a notebook that I like to take around the house to use, out of the house to use, etc... and I'm tired of unplugging and replugging all the cables back into it when I bring it into my office at home.
>>and i doubt anyone would make one for a 2006 out of date machine<<
2006, yes... out of date... hardly!! It's a Mac...com'on!!!
Frank
It's a notebook that I like to take around the house to use, out of the house to use, etc... and I'm tired of unplugging and replugging all the cables back into it when I bring it into my office at home.
>>and i doubt anyone would make one for a 2006 out of date machine<<
2006, yes... out of date... hardly!! It's a Mac...com'on!!!
Frank
Could you clarify why? How long have you had the Henge Dock? Have you had any of the reported issues with the connectors, scratching, etc?
Why would you assume that your preference is universal? There are plenty of people that want docks for various reasons. If you don't then don't click on threads about docks and threadcrap.
>>threadcrap<<
That's funny... I like it!!...never heard that before.
Had a dock at home way back in my ThinkPad days. LOVED it. just popped it in and out and away I go. have one now for my PC that I HAVE to use at the office.
VERY convenient.
Frank
That's funny... I like it!!...never heard that before.
Had a dock at home way back in my ThinkPad days. LOVED it. just popped it in and out and away I go. have one now for my PC that I HAVE to use at the office.
VERY convenient.
Frank
no it jsut doesnt make sense to make a whole DOCK for a computer. why do u think there ARENT any and NOT popular
i think someone needs a spanking
>>there ARENT any and NOT popular<<
Not so sure they aren't popular.
Seems to be a pretty big thing in the PC world.
Here's a page with a bunch of them for Thinkpads alone.
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/accessories/dock-port-replicators
For me, now it is a convenience issue... and in the old days before USB, etc, there was a concern that you'd break a pin on a connector and then you were out of luck. Now with better connectors, that issue is pretty much solved.
I liked it in that all I had to do is literally snap the computer in to a plug and my external power, keyboard, mouse, etc are already to go. Of course with wireless and bluetooth, you need fewer actual connections for a mouse, keyboard, printers, etc.
Still a nice option whose time may be slipping, but still needed and used by lots of folks.
Frank
Not so sure they aren't popular.
Seems to be a pretty big thing in the PC world.
Here's a page with a bunch of them for Thinkpads alone.
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/accessories/dock-port-replicators
For me, now it is a convenience issue... and in the old days before USB, etc, there was a concern that you'd break a pin on a connector and then you were out of luck. Now with better connectors, that issue is pretty much solved.
I liked it in that all I had to do is literally snap the computer in to a plug and my external power, keyboard, mouse, etc are already to go. Of course with wireless and bluetooth, you need fewer actual connections for a mouse, keyboard, printers, etc.
Still a nice option whose time may be slipping, but still needed and used by lots of folks.
Frank
Docks would be nice. Someone could clear up if they produce a reasonably priced one that uses Thunderbolt.
Lenovo have it right. We use their laptops and docks extensively at work.
Lenovo have it right. We use their laptops and docks extensively at work.
Ever been in a large business that lends portables to their employees? Guess what, they all use docks so that they can get their employees a real mouse, a real keyboard and a real screen to work with when they are at their desk. Docks are both very useful and very popular especially in large businesses, just because you don't see a use for one doesn't mean everybody thinks that way. If anything, you're the one that needs a good spanking, to the back of the head.
OP, honestly, there aren't too many docks that do a good job for a Mac in my opinion, they were not designed for a dock in the first place so that doesn't help. The newer unibody Macs are probably better at it since their ports are all on the same side.
They do sell docking stations now. They are called Thunderbolt displays and cost $999, and are only compatible with 2011 and newer MBPs.
Why did Apple not sell docks in the past?
It's hard to tell, but looking at the history might help. In the mid 90s, the company was close to bankruptcy. Part of what saved it was rigorously cutting down the number of products in development to those products that were profitable or at least looked promising for the future. A dock probably didn't fall into that category. The simple and condensed product lines is part of the reason why Apple is much more profitable than most other PC manufacturers.
Why did Apple not sell docks in the past?
It's hard to tell, but looking at the history might help. In the mid 90s, the company was close to bankruptcy. Part of what saved it was rigorously cutting down the number of products in development to those products that were profitable or at least looked promising for the future. A dock probably didn't fall into that category. The simple and condensed product lines is part of the reason why Apple is much more profitable than most other PC manufacturers.
Apple did sell a dock back in the 1990s: it was the PowerBook Duo line of portable Macs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerBook_Duo
I am also interested in reading about why mgartner0622 prefers the Hengedocks over the Bookendzdocks. I've done a fair amount of reading of pro and user reviews of various Mac-compatible docks. Hengedocks are a lot less expensive than Bookends but people complain about various Hengedocks issues vs. no complaints for Bookendz. The biggest difference that I noticed is that Bookendz docks are made of metal and have an ingenious method for lining-up the ports. Hengedocks are made primarily of plastic and some users have problems with the ports not lining-up and cables coming loose easily.
The other major difference is that the Hengedock is vertical while the Bookendz dock is horizontal, which takes up more room on a desk.
Use Google to search for dock reviews; the user reviews at Amazon and other online retailers are also good for finding out how well a dock functions in the real world.
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Yes indeed, thanks. That was before Jobs came back and slashed the number of projects in development from ~50 to ~10.
happen to have any further opinions of that hengedock? how long have you owned it? i've seen where folks like it when they first get it, but it's capabilities degrade after extended use (e.g. constant docking/undocking, the cable plug inserts installation tolerances aren't perfect it seems).
thanks for any updates you may have.
The former would suit my current needs very well (since I still need to use the MBP screen/keyboard, but connect to an external monitor). Shame it's $300!
The latter would be awesome for an HTPC setup. Keep a wireless keyboard/touchpad on the coffee table, dock the computer with HDMI into the big-screen, and voila!
I've owned one since 2009. It's been great connectivity wise, although with my 27" Cinema Display I find I'm using it less and less, however it's still nice to have to keep the unit propped upright. Regarding how it stands up to use, I have not had any problems. I probably dock and undock my machine 4-5x a week.
Thanks for the review. I might get one to use as an HTPC type setup like I mentioned.