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.
@trek Engadget nearly crashed our credit card server too. About 10 minutes after Engadget picked up the story we got an email apologizing for any delays in processing orders.
Love it. I was going to buy a box to stream movies from Netflix to my TV, but now I don't need one. I can just pop in my notebook and go. Those Netflix boxes START at $99 for standard-def, so already I'm ahead! Nice work. I'm in.
@Lex05 This is the scenario that inspired us. We were constantly moving our notebooks from the desk to the living room so we could watch movies and listen to music.
Would there would be any problems to fit an optical 3.5 mm cable in the audio out opening? This looks perfect for me until I get a media computer setup!
"Well-designed" Engadget? Have you ever used a dock? Let's say you have a 1920x1200 17" MBP and hook it up to a 24" 1920x1200 display via this dock, what do you gain? Nothing as far as screen real estate. Making the laptops display useless = fail.
@etwashoo unless you have a 55" hi def plasma and you want to stream movies....or catch up on email while sitting on the couch... then you don't fail... :)
Well unless you really want dual screens this protects the much more expensive to replace screen.
I'd imagine you either want both screens which means you don't really want a docking solution or you use a 24" to save your eyes.
If you want a dock that keeps the screen open you could make your own out of a piece of styrofoam stuck to your desk with holes in it and cables shoved in, connectors out. That would keep everything tidy and still have the white look.
Perhaps we could suggest a horizontal version that allows the screen to be open, but it's not really a dock and more of a cable tidy.
I don't understand why anyone would use this instead of just plugging their computer into the display, and using it as a second monitor.
Whenever I work on my MBP at home, I always have it plugged into my 21.5 inch screen, and use it as my secondary monitor. More screen real estate is ALWAYS better.
@MioTheGreat maybe to edit your video on one window and see the preview on the other, maybe because a lot of media creation apps use a lot of space for menus, dials, checklists, etc. Productivity in general, picture watching a video tutorial while using the app and learning...there are lots of good uses for that and none of them are stupid.
@MioTheGreat It's not a matter of what is desired, but what is possible. I think I can speak for college students everywhere when I say that not everyone has the desk space for two monitors.
Any idea what materials are used? I'm worried it might scratch the casing sliding in and out all the time. And is there any risk of damaging your ports. Like your idea though, introducing things like a built in dvi to hdmi adapter and extra usb ports would make it more worthwhile
@Ctizzekery We are using a very sturdy high grade plastic. We had the molds polished at a significant additional cost to give a very smooth product surface. We've tested this product extensively and haven't noticed any scratches. The aluminum in your MacBook is harder than the plastic. Make sure your Mac is clean before putting it in the dock. If there is a bit of sand or grit on your notebook that could cause a scratch.
We haven't noticed any problems with damaging the connectors or the ports. These things were manufactured to very close tolerances. Shouldn't be anymore risky than plugging and unplugging the connectors manually.
@SpectreGadget These things are a pretty smooth fit. I'm not familiar with the brand you quoted, but there probably isn't room for anything more than a piece of paper at most. If the skin is a sticker... Maybe. If the skin is one of those plastic/rubber things, it probably won't work.
Was excited until I saw that it was just a plastic stand. I want a real docking station for my macbook. One that has it's own built in USB Hub, Monitor connectors etc. Just like PC Docs have.
I have a Late 2008 MBP, and the order of ports on my computer are more like what they show for the Mid 2009 MBP. Did anyone else notice this? Does anyone from HengeDocks read this?
Isn't it bad to have the hard drive/cd drive running constantly on its side? Wouldn't this have long term damage to the hard drive/ scratch the DVD if bumped?
I have a 13" Macbook Pro with an Invisible Shield protective cover (I'm pretty sure you've heard of these). Will the MBP slide into the dock? Or will I have to sand the insides of the dock?
They used the external hard drive as an example, but they did not eject it. It that ok to do as it would be terrible to have to remember to eject the hard drive before removing the laptop from the dock...
At first I thought this would be a really cool option for someone like me who uses their MBP in closed clamshell...
However I see a design flaw and please correct me if im wrong or understand the product wrong. But I dont see how you can have access to your card slot (on the current MBP). If you are docked into this dock there is no way to have access to your card slot on the macbook which I use quite often. The only way around this that I can see is if you already have an external card reader hooked up via USB. Also- you have no access to plug a flash drive into the USB ports from what im seeing in this design. The only other way to address that is if you have an external USB hub which is on your desk or something therefore allowing you to insert the drive into it.
This dock also puts the laptop in a position that is too tall for me to feel safe with having it on a desk in fear of it knocking over. The heat will rise towards the top of the laptop but the vent/exhaust isnt on the optical drive side but instead on the hinge of the laptop, so heat issues might be a reality. Also, i like having access to my ports etc because i switch them around, with this it seems impossible to have easy access to port side of the laptop...
It looks like I will be sticking to my twelvesouth BookArc that is still doing the job
The big problem:)) Heat. When its closed "macHeat" can destroy your macWhatever display:)))) Best way to use damn laptops is open with additional heat reducing gadget:))) They love to burn.
While the design is definitely top notch (I love the slim line PC look), I feel like this is nothing more than an overpriced cable organizer. I second the frequent comments that a port replicator or USB Hub should really be integrated before I'd consider this a dock.
I did see where you're in the process of updating for the most recent MBPs. Will you be modifying it to accept the new "barrel" style magsafe design too?
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
posted April 19th 2010 5:44PM
@trek Engadget nearly crashed our credit card server too. About 10 minutes after Engadget picked up the story we got an email apologizing for any delays in processing orders.
@HengeDocks *an email from our credit card merchant.
I didn't think the macbooks could run while closed...
@Greg7388
They can with an external monitor attached (I use mine that way all the time)
Love it. I was going to buy a box to stream movies from Netflix to my TV, but now I don't need one. I can just pop in my notebook and go. Those Netflix boxes START at $99 for standard-def, so already I'm ahead! Nice work. I'm in.
@Lex05 This is the scenario that inspired us. We were constantly moving our notebooks from the desk to the living room so we could watch movies and listen to music.
@HengeDocks
Would there would be any problems to fit an optical 3.5 mm cable in the audio out opening? This looks perfect for me until I get a media computer setup!
"Well-designed" Engadget? Have you ever used a dock? Let's say you have a 1920x1200 17" MBP and hook it up to a 24" 1920x1200 display via this dock, what do you gain? Nothing as far as screen real estate. Making the laptops display useless = fail.
@etwashoo unless you have a 55" hi def plasma and you want to stream movies....or catch up on email while sitting on the couch... then you don't fail... :)
@etwashoo
Well unless you really want dual screens this protects the much more expensive to replace screen.
I'd imagine you either want both screens which means you don't really want a docking solution or you use a 24" to save your eyes.
If you want a dock that keeps the screen open you could make your own out of a piece of styrofoam stuck to your desk with holes in it and cables shoved in, connectors out. That would keep everything tidy and still have the white look.
Perhaps we could suggest a horizontal version that allows the screen to be open, but it's not really a dock and more of a cable tidy.
If only i could keep my incase hardcase cover on my MBP and use this.
I don't understand why anyone would use this instead of just plugging their computer into the display, and using it as a second monitor.
Whenever I work on my MBP at home, I always have it plugged into my 21.5 inch screen, and use it as my secondary monitor. More screen real estate is ALWAYS better.
Yes! This will be perfect for creating space on my already very cramped desk here at school.
This is stupid. Why would you not want access to both screens simultaneously?
@MioTheGreat maybe to edit your video on one window and see the preview on the other, maybe because a lot of media creation apps use a lot of space for menus, dials, checklists, etc. Productivity in general, picture watching a video tutorial while using the app and learning...there are lots of good uses for that and none of them are stupid.
@fast
He said why would you NOT want access to both?
He's in agreement bro.
@MioTheGreat It's not a matter of what is desired, but what is possible. I think I can speak for college students everywhere when I say that not everyone has the desk space for two monitors.
ok, thats awesome.
Any idea what materials are used? I'm worried it might scratch the casing sliding in and out all the time. And is there any risk of damaging your ports. Like your idea though, introducing things like a built in dvi to hdmi adapter and extra usb ports would make it more worthwhile
@Ctizzekery We are using a very sturdy high grade plastic. We had the molds polished at a significant additional cost to give a very smooth product surface. We've tested this product extensively and haven't noticed any scratches. The aluminum in your MacBook is harder than the plastic. Make sure your Mac is clean before putting it in the dock. If there is a bit of sand or grit on your notebook that could cause a scratch.
We haven't noticed any problems with damaging the connectors or the ports. These things were manufactured to very close tolerances. Shouldn't be anymore risky than plugging and unplugging the connectors manually.
@HengeDocks , How much tolerance is in the dock fit? I have a skin from skinit.com on the lid; would it still work?
@SpectreGadget These things are a pretty smooth fit. I'm not familiar with the brand you quoted, but there probably isn't room for anything more than a piece of paper at most. If the skin is a sticker... Maybe. If the skin is one of those plastic/rubber things, it probably won't work.
If the laptop is powered off, how do you turn it on when it's docked?
@clatuveratanecktie
For the sake of being cheeky, why would you have it powered off, no need really is there?
So, Is it pronounced like door "hinge" or "hen-gay" as in the Japanese romaji "henge" which means transform?
@Firehazel "Henge" as in "Stone Henge" We thought they looked like the iconic stone pillars. Also, the domain name was available.
Was excited until I saw that it was just a plastic stand. I want a real docking station for my macbook. One that has it's own built in USB Hub, Monitor connectors etc. Just like PC Docs have.
@malexandria1
Same here. Would make quick editing on the fly so much easier.
Wow I'm definitely going to get this. Always wanted an easy way to connect to a desktop experience with my mac!
I want to get one of these, but it looks like there's a potential error on their website:
http://www.hengedocks.com/order_MBP15.html
I have a Late 2008 MBP, and the order of ports on my computer are more like what they show for the Mid 2009 MBP. Did anyone else notice this? Does anyone from HengeDocks read this?
Isn't it bad to have the hard drive/cd drive running constantly on its side? Wouldn't this have long term damage to the hard drive/ scratch the DVD if bumped?
I have a 13" Macbook Pro with an Invisible Shield protective cover (I'm pretty sure you've heard of these). Will the MBP slide into the dock? Or will I have to sand the insides of the dock?
Non-unibody version please!
They used the external hard drive as an example, but they did not eject it. It that ok to do as it would be terrible to have to remember to eject the hard drive before removing the laptop from the dock...
Looks easy to knock over, and possibly to loose grid when popping the MacBook out of the doc.
Very elegant looking design, however.
At first I thought this would be a really cool option for someone like me who uses their MBP in closed clamshell...
However I see a design flaw and please correct me if im wrong or understand the product wrong. But I dont see how you can have access to your card slot (on the current MBP). If you are docked into this dock there is no way to have access to your card slot on the macbook which I use quite often. The only way around this that I can see is if you already have an external card reader hooked up via USB. Also- you have no access to plug a flash drive into the USB ports from what im seeing in this design. The only other way to address that is if you have an external USB hub which is on your desk or something therefore allowing you to insert the drive into it.
This dock also puts the laptop in a position that is too tall for me to feel safe with having it on a desk in fear of it knocking over. The heat will rise towards the top of the laptop but the vent/exhaust isnt on the optical drive side but instead on the hinge of the laptop, so heat issues might be a reality. Also, i like having access to my ports etc because i switch them around, with this it seems impossible to have easy access to port side of the laptop...
It looks like I will be sticking to my twelvesouth BookArc that is still doing the job
The big problem:)) Heat.
When its closed "macHeat" can destroy your macWhatever display:))))
Best way to use damn laptops is open with additional heat reducing gadget:)))
They love to burn.
Someone buy this guy a tripod...
wow, that makes the macbook even more sexy. Wish I had one!
While the design is definitely top notch (I love the slim line PC look), I feel like this is nothing more than an overpriced cable organizer. I second the frequent comments that a port replicator or USB Hub should really be integrated before I'd consider this a dock.
I did see where you're in the process of updating for the most recent MBPs. Will you be modifying it to accept the new "barrel" style magsafe design too?
Either way I WILL be buying one. Good Job!
What camera system is this guy using, cause I know Collegehumor uses the same system for their POV series
I want one for my 15" MBP! Been waiting since I first saw this article. When will you release it Henge???