We'd love to say that many have tried, but really, the bona fide docking station market dried up years ago in every sector save for enterprise, and while a few companies have served up "universal" alternatives, none of them were particularly well-designed. Out of nowhere, Henge Docks has emerged in order to provide a solution to your MacBook docking woes, and we've got to say -- for a first try, the products being offered up here look mighty fine. Designed to work with most modern MacBooks as well as 13/15/17-inch MacBook Pros, these all-white stands hold your machine vertical while providing seamless access to desk-strapped peripherals (a monitor, iPod dock, mouse, heated USB blanket, etc.) It also uses Apple's own MagSafe adapter, and your optical drive is still flipped out if you need to access it. The 13-inch MBP model is available now for $59.95 to $64.95, while every other flavor is available for pre-order; check out a video after the break if you're having issues pulling the trigger.
@brrip Aesthetically, this looks cool, but for a docking station, what would be better would be something that allows both an external monitor and a laptop monitor to be used at the same time.
@brrip I was a little disappointed to see that it's really just a shell that holds your wires in it instead of having them integrated but I guess that ok since the price seems alright. If I still had my MBP I'd get on and if Apple didn't screw over the 13" models by not putting in the 2010 procs I would have one and be getting one of these but what can you do... Damn Apple...
@Sled Ready to pull out the wallet for a great product such as this, then remembered nothing is shipping to the UK, then saw the shipping pricing ( nearly half the value of the thing), then found out the MagSafe charger on my apple led display is not compatible with it. However, despite this problem, and lower priced international shipping, I would buy this product in a heartbeat
I agree. I think that I was really expecting a port replicator though. That truly is just a dock that you tuck your cables into. I'd rather see a device that has built in jacks where you can attach your cables to one end of the device and your laptop into the other end. This whole BYOC (bring your own cables) idea really turned me off of this dock.
Looks good? These guys picked the lamest Sketchup models from Googles Warehouse to render a mockup. I know there are pretty accurate 3D's of all Apple products to download with all those fanboys measuring their toys to the 0,1mm and showing there modelling skills. But this looks shit.
@ChristianTexan As someone whose desk space is at a minimum, the whole reason I would buy a dock is to hold my MBP vertical to reduce its footprint. This product calls itself a dock, but it really isn't. It's really more of a stand. For someone like me, that is exactly what is desired. I will definitely think about this product.
I kinda wonder how well that's gonna work trying to wiggle all those connectors securely in place within an area you can't really see into. Looks cool. I can just imagine frustration trying to jam it in there (hmm).
@Soho88 if you watch the video, you'll see the cables are held in place by hex screws. I imagine they've carefully placed all the connectors to make everything fit right.
@Soho88 The connectors only need to be positioned once. After they've been inserted, a set screw will hold the connector in place. Then all you have to do is drop in your MacBook when you want to dock.
Wow, that's a good deal compared to the BookEndz docking stations. The only issue is that you can't actually use the screen or the keyboard of the notebook itself. But still a very good and simple solution!
@SilverSurfer You have 3 options: You can work harder and get a better one that his, You can go rob a bank and pray that you don't get caught or you can go and be his partner and that way you can share the place. But yeah it's nice!
I don't think the stand is nearly wide enough to be kitty proof. I am not so comfortable with putting my $1400 computer in anything that my cat can push over so easily.
@marsmissions the Henge Dock was designed with the idea that it would be bumped from time to time. The dock sits on rubber feet that are set in slightly from the edges. When the dock nears the tipping point, the plastic base touches the surface and the whole dock will slide a bit rather than tip. It isn't flawless, but we found that it helped a lot.
I was a little disappointed to see that it's really just a shell that holds your wires in it instead of having them integrated but I guess that ok since the price seems alright. If I still had my MBP I'd get on and if Apple didn't screw over the 13" models by not putting in the 2010 procs I would have one and be getting one of these but what can you do... Damn Apple...
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posted April 19th 2010 5:44PM
Wow that looks pretty good, and cheap too, for a dock.
Damn that thing looks nice!
*Pulls out wallet*
@brrip
Aesthetically, this looks cool, but for a docking station, what would be better would be something that allows both an external monitor and a laptop monitor to be used at the same time.
@brrip I was a little disappointed to see that it's really just a shell that holds your wires in it instead of having them integrated but I guess that ok since the price seems alright. If I still had my MBP I'd get on and if Apple didn't screw over the 13" models by not putting in the 2010 procs I would have one and be getting one of these but what can you do... Damn Apple...
@benny90 I'm not a mac user, but if docks like this existed for my laptop, I'd get one for the price.
@Sled
Ready to pull out the wallet for a great product such as this, then remembered nothing is shipping to the UK, then saw the shipping pricing ( nearly half the value of the thing), then found out the MagSafe charger on my apple led display is not compatible with it. However, despite this problem, and lower priced international shipping, I would buy this product in a heartbeat
@harry20larry
Ultra-slim tower!
@brrip
needs to have some sort of USB HUB support, so that you can add more than 2 (or 3) USBs at a time without buying a separate USB HUB.
@brrip seems extremely expensive for a plastic stand and some DIY cables....
@benny90
I agree. I think that I was really expecting a port replicator though. That truly is just a dock that you tuck your cables into. I'd rather see a device that has built in jacks where you can attach your cables to one end of the device and your laptop into the other end. This whole BYOC (bring your own cables) idea really turned me off of this dock.
@brrip
I Love my HP laptop because it has it's own [expansion port] that handles all of these connections with just ONE connection to my dock.
PLUS...the way it's designed I can actually use the laptop screen along with a second monitor when it's docked.
It just seems pointless to take away the screen.
When I saw this device I thought...meh.
but, will it blend?
@DaveBach
Funny. Every time I see an hp notebook I think the same thing: "Meh..."
@MVMNT
> but, will it blend?
That *is* the question.
Looks good? These guys picked the lamest Sketchup models from Googles Warehouse to render a mockup. I know there are pretty accurate 3D's of all Apple products to download with all those fanboys measuring their toys to the 0,1mm and showing there modelling skills. But this looks shit.
@ChristianTexan
I agree, looks nice and the price is right, but I'd rather not lose the ability to use the MacBook's screen as a secondary monitor.
@ChristianTexan As someone whose desk space is at a minimum, the whole reason I would buy a dock is to hold my MBP vertical to reduce its footprint. This product calls itself a dock, but it really isn't. It's really more of a stand. For someone like me, that is exactly what is desired. I will definitely think about this product.
wow, engadget, you guys will post stuff on just about anything.
@tehpinner
And that is why this blog is so awesome.
Shoo, troll! *sprays troll be gone*
I kinda wonder how well that's gonna work trying to wiggle all those connectors securely in place within an area you can't really see into. Looks cool. I can just imagine frustration trying to jam it in there (hmm).
@Soho88
I'm thinking the same thing, too. The amount of umph/delicacy needed for the various ports is quite different.
hmmm.... kinda want.
@Soho88 if you watch the video, you'll see the cables are held in place by hex screws. I imagine they've carefully placed all the connectors to make everything fit right.
@Soho88 The connectors only need to be positioned once. After they've been inserted, a set screw will hold the connector in place. Then all you have to do is drop in your MacBook when you want to dock.
@HengeDocks
How about a version for the Dell Studio series!
@Soho88
is that what she said?
@Soho88
Can the Macbook run for extended periods of time with the lid closed?. What about keeping it cool when doing heavy tasks.
Thats so cool!
I've been looking for this for forever and it's very reasonably priced I thought it was going to be like 150 when I saw the picture.
Wow, that's a good deal compared to the BookEndz docking stations.
The only issue is that you can't actually use the screen or the keyboard of the notebook itself. But still a very good and simple solution!
Brilliant.
that...does look surprisingly sleek.
I guess one of the perks of owning an apple product is the massive third party support.
Me..I'm still waiting for a keyboard protector for my Envy 15 :P
Great Product!!!! and reasonable priced!!!!
now, Apple lawyer knocking on the door in 4.....3.....2.....1....
@kingofwale apple has plenty of third party partners who make things like this. They won't sue anyone for anything like this.
@Kaibelf : "They won't sue anyone for anything like this." Famous last words along with "Hey Bubba, hold my beer and watch this!".
very well-done low budget video, great job guys! considering getting one for my 15in pro
I want that guy's apartment.
@SilverSurfer
You have 3 options: You can work harder and get a better one that his, You can go rob a bank and pray that you don't get caught or you can go and be his partner and that way you can share the place. But yeah it's nice!
Nice!!!! Not sure about putting the cables up through the middle manually should have been ports at the side maybe?
This guy should just buy an iPad!!!
Read the headline and said to myself "huh? macbooks don't have docking ports." Boy did this thing shut me up good.
@Leindurstit
that's what happens when you read an article... you learn something.
Surprise!
I don't think the stand is nearly wide enough to be kitty proof. I am not so comfortable with putting my $1400 computer in anything that my cat can push over so easily.
@marsmissions the Henge Dock was designed with the idea that it would be bumped from time to time. The dock sits on rubber feet that are set in slightly from the edges. When the dock nears the tipping point, the plastic base touches the surface and the whole dock will slide a bit rather than tip. It isn't flawless, but we found that it helped a lot.
@HengeDocks
Hurray for companies that post on gadget blogs..
My hat goes off to you, kind sir...
Oh come on....do you really need a dock?
Holy shit that looks good!
This looks pretty cool. Also loving the (brief) use of Massive Attack.
That first person view freaked me out when both of his hands first came in.
@zim2411 I'd like to see a picture of the guy with the camera strapped onto his head.
I was a little disappointed to see that it's really just a shell that holds your wires in it instead of having them integrated but I guess that ok since the price seems alright. If I still had my MBP I'd get on and if Apple didn't screw over the 13" models by not putting in the 2010 procs I would have one and be getting one of these but what can you do... Damn Apple...
@benny90 Seriously you really felt you needed to say that twice? And by copying and pasting no less?