Pintmaster

25May/0636

Why Apple Needs a Dock / Port Replicator for the MacBook Pro

We live in the era of the Desktop replacement notebook PC. It replaces the desktop computer, but not the desk. Like many people, when sitting at my desk, I prefer using an external monitor, keyboard and mouse plugged in to my MacBook Pro. I travel with my MacBook pro between work and home and find it frustrating to have to plug in 6 things when I get to work every day - Monitor, Ethernet, USB hub, Headphones, Power cord, external harddrive. My Thinkpad toting colleagues just drop their notebooks into the dock when they get in and hey-presto everything is up and running again.

I want to recommend the Macbook as the laptop that we should replace the thinkpads with when they come up for renewal. The macbook is certainly a compelling buy. For about 1600 bucks, you get a great business computer that can run windows. Users can even keep their personal lives separate and dual boot the computer.

As I said, I want to recommend the Macbook, but it needs to be easy for the business user. Thats where the dock comes in. Just drop it in, and everything is connected. In order for apple to move beyond the die-hard mac fan + home user market into the big bucks, they need to make the notebook more appealing to the business user.

Im not the only one that shares this sentiment

On my ThinkPad I have a small port replicator that I just click the laptop onto and all my connections are made. With the MacBook I have an array of fiddly connectors to plug-in spread over 2 sides of the book. I have to connect Power, Audio and USB to the left hand side. Then Plug in DVI-D video, Ethernet and Firewire on the right hand side.

Well if that's not fiddily enough I have to open the lid of the book to press the power button as there is no way to turn on the book without opening it. The ThinkPad has a power button on the replicator. I have no need to use the built-in screen as my desktop display is plenty big enough and the internal screen is so poor. So I close the lid and of course the computer goes to sleep. So I then have to wake it up to use it, only problem is I can't wake it with a 3rd party Bluetooth keyboard and mouse so have to connect a USB mouse just so I can wake it up.

If Apple are going to make headway into corporate use they need to acknowledge that a laptop is taken to and from work every day and it is not practical to plug and unplug six or seven cables twice a day

Apple. Please dont let down your business users. Our companies pay for laptops. We need you to make it a more compelling sell. Right now, I love my MacBook - but it is too hot for a laptop and too cumbersome for a desktop.

Filed under: Apple, Articles & Papers, Reviews, Technology, Work-Related Leave a comment
  • Damien
    So, how do we Mac converts succeed in having ourselves heard by the Mac fraternity of hardware developers? Clearly, Apple is interested in providing what their user want. It's just that their users are more interested in innovative hardware design, and software reliability, than the inverse. We bought a new macbook this year to replace our PC paper-weight, as my wife was sick of me playing on the PC, and all the settings being changed for when she just wanted to surf the net, listen to music and use VoIP. For us, the Mac is ideal. But, we also have kids, and they like to watch movies. With many of our movies being on the Mac, it would be much more convenient to connect our Mac up to a replicator port, connected to the TV, than to sit the kids in front of the computer.

    So, the aim for the consumer who wants to encourage the development of a product they want is to identify how the Mac development community goes about conducting research for new hardware. Surely, they can't just be saying 'Steve, what now?'
  • Eric
    Apple's solution appears to be the cinema display but that doesn't cut it. You get 3 extra USB ports on the back of an uber-sleek display but now you have wires dangling all over your desk and you still don't have Ethernet.

    There needs to be an Apple made dock with a power button because maybe i want to use my Ethernet, my own USB hub, wired peripherals, etc. Apple could make it very sleek and not mar their image. It's totally silly that they don't have one.
  • Michael
    Apple as a business doesn't care about us in business. Don't let your enterprise rep, the local business specialist at the store, or anyone else tell you otherwise. Apple's SALES business cares about us, but we are an "uninteresting" segment for hardware development. No innovation, no excitement = lowest priority at Apple

    A dock for port replication? That would mar the "seamless, smooth case" of the MacBook or Pro. Function does not win over form at Apple.

    I have had to purchase and deploy the BookEndz docks - they are OK but there is no real expansion - it's merely a 1:1 port replicator that moves the ports from the sides to the back. Either you will deploy a Mac or not - and if you think complaining about no docking system will do anything other than vent your frustration, you are wrong. Sorry, but that's reality.
  • Chris R
    Wow this is an old blog I've stumbled across; almost a year since the last comment was posted.

    I'm currently at the end of a lease for my Dell notebook. I operate mobile most of the day, but maintain a home office where I have a port replicator and a 20" wide screen display with a full size keyboard and mouse. I like being able to just drop my notebook (closed) onto the port replicator press the power button on the replicator and I can do my work just as if I had a desktop system sitting there. Its very comfortable for when I have to do book keeping as I have the full number pad. When operating just on the notebook alone I don't have that.

    I'm writing this just two weeks after the launch of the new aluminum bodied MacBook and MacBook Pros, they're really slick. I'm VERY SERIOUSLY considering the purchase or lease of one.

    Cheers!
  • Do it like IBM Steeeve -- But BETTER! Plug and Play. Show Big Blue up! If I want to view some Taaaang or perhaps a HD Video, I think it would be safe to say, I want to watch it on a TV or a big Monitor... Less operating hours on my laptop monitor and I can set the Laptop in a safe zone... (If you know what I mean...) [Liquids, Food, Accidental Variety] High Five! Gear it towards the Upper end niche and then come down in market when demand is measurable (e.g. wholesale market that will immediately grab the convenience/safety/faster/investment factor.) Kick ass and take names Steve. Woooooaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh Have a drink on ME!!

    Supplemental:

    If your worried about Bookendz, buy them out and converge. You got enough cash. Everyone wins!
  • TeeJay
    I find it increasingly strange that Apple has not provided a solution for, what seems to be, an increasingly important part of their business model. When you're ordering a MacBook/Pro, Apple actually gives you the option of adding a monitor to accompany it. Why Apple is willing to settle for such an un-Apple like solution (ie cumbersome and unattractive) is beyond me. Then again, it took them YEARS to develp a two button mouse and they certainly took their share of flack in the interim. Still, with the rumours of an "ultra-thin" MacBook pending for MWSF08, I'm hoping that a solution may yet be in the works.
  • Keith
    Funny thing is that Apple was one of the 1st companies with the Dock. Back in the early '90s, they had a dock for the PowerBook Duo 230 and 230c. The way it took the Duo and ejected it was very smooth, elegant and reliable. They stopped making those when the PowerBook 2400 came out, I believe, to cut costs during their dark days. They should definitely bring it back now.
  • Anonymous
    Funny thing is that Apple was one of the 1st companies with the Dock. Back in the early '90s, they had a dock for the PowerBook Duo 230 and 230c. The way it took the Duo and ejected it was very smooth, elegant and reliable. They stopped making those when the PowerBook 2400 came out, I believe, to cut costs during their dark days. They should definitely bring it back now.
  • Jeff
    I agree with most - if not all - of you folks here. The Bookendz alternative, while the only option in town, is still grossly insufficient, to the point where you still have to fiddle with your own Magsafe power connector since Apple has the patents! I have been a Mac user since I started using computers, but have worked for several years in IT, and I have to go with what almost every Thinkpad owner here knows: the dock is the key to simplicity. Having that little trapdoor on the bottom for a simple, elegant, connector is the kind of thing that Apple could do without taking away from the aesthetics of their machines. Even HP's less-perfect solution of having ports replicated on a box connected to a special cable would be a nice step forward... Of course, Apple might not be able to actually shave off that apparently oh-so-important .1 inch of thickness, but it would save me the trouble of having to keep a second, ancient, cable-ridden computer around. :-\
  • Dcotor
    @Craig

    Maybe thats just the thinkpads then.. My organisation uses Toshiba laptops for just about everything (sans the field techs Laptops; Which are Panasonic Toughbooks..) Every model purchased has been one with a dock - and we've never had any problems with windows crashing on docking/undocking..

    I was also recently contracted to another organisation; Who has the same setup - but with HP Business laptops; no problem there either - in fact the HP docks seems to fit better (sometimes the Toshiba's can be a pain actualy getting them to 'sit' in the dock)

    Personally - I'd love to apple bring out a dock for the macbook range; even if it was only for the MacBook Pro.. Its something I'd expect from a laptop trying to a Workstation Replacement.
  • what i want is a vertical o a stand-up dock for maximizing space on my desk. that would be killer.
  • GILMORE
    Im a macbook business user, and I've found the machine highly flexible sans dock. As commenter above mentioned - when I get back to the office, it connects to my wireless network which has netserver and printer, and all I have to do is stick the mini-DVI connecter in, close the lid, and start working on a wireless keyboard. No muss, no fuss. I also have some firewire needs (audio interface), but aside from that, there isnt so much fussing with cables. I simply bought a second power plug, and all the connectors (3 - power, dvi, firewire) are velcroed to my desk where they need to be for quick switch to desktop mode. I looked at docks and then wondered what the point was if I was networking wirelessly anyway. Is it something about data throughput that you need? I think the macbook is one of the better on the go business laptops made, aside from the crappy cases. I got a case-mate leather case for it and its far more easy to manhandle. Anyway, my 2 cents.
  • Craig
    Use a Thinkpad with dock some time, and I mean for at least a month. We have dozens of employees using docks with their Thinkpads and they crash all the time when docking or undocking (and they are doing it the right way).

    Docks look convenient, but just aren't worth it if the hardware changes in Windows crashes the laptop every time you go to or from your desk with your laptop.

    I have a brand new x61s Thinkpad (2.5 pound laptop with built-in 3G card) behind me now, and "undocking" involves the laptop freaking out for almost a full minute every time! I don't even have an external display hooked up to it, but I have to fix the resolution every time I undock or dock. One out of five docks or undocks results in a hang or crash. That's a new laptop, too, used for only a few days and it is using the original OS/software setup out-of-the-box.

    I don't want that kind of experience from a Macbook...
  • James
    Erm, am I being stupid? With a Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse, Wi-Fi and AirTunes, All you need to plug in is the power and VGA cables!

    Hell, if you don't want to spend money on them, just get a USB hub, plug everything into that (Keyboard, Mouse, Sound [Griffin iMic or similar]), and then there's only three cables!

    Then, if you're feeling hardcore, USB VGA adaptors are available (although they're not exactly desirable). Then all you have to do is work out how to power your MacBook via the USB port ^_~

    I much prefer that to the fiddly, breakable dock connectors any day.
  • Chris, I have ended up doing the same and I dont think about it anymore - I move my laptop from work to home and plug in quickly in both places. For others who are used to a dock, it still seems backwards. It's definitely not a deal breaker for anyone who uses macs, just a gripe! I want to see an elegant docking station that makes my macbook pro look as good on my desk as an iMac would.
  • Chris
    I felt the same way for a long time.. who'd want to plug in all those cables every day? I gave it as a reason for others -not- to switch to Apple/OS X, even though I primarily use/love OS X.

    My work habits changed, and I started using my MacBook as my primary system at work. Whereas before I would occasionally plug in my MacBook before, and then more frequently, but on a KVM switcher with my Windows desktop... now I have actually disconnected my Windows workstation's KVM and am controlling it with VNC for a more effective and natural workflow.

    Every day (and for the last two months) when I come in, I plug in: power, audio, keyboard mouse1, wireless mouse, dvi monitor, and network cables. It takes me five seconds on a slow day-- left side, pause, right side. :) Honestly, it takes me longer to pull the laptop out of my case. I wouldn't consider it a deal-breaker anymore.
  • Completely agree. The only reason to not be a mac switcher is the lack of a dock station. I am going to buy a laptop and I think that it would be a Sony Vaio.
  • Dale, Amen! I think for a lot of business users (including my current company), we price in a dock when we look at a computer. I know few users (other than myself) willing to go through the hassle of unplugging a bunch of cables when they get in in the morning. On top of that, it ruins the image of your Macbook to have everything protruding out of the side. Apple is meant to be clean, but looks like a frankenbook when I have 2 usb devices, a firewire harddrive and a monitor plugged in!

    Where's the response from Apple that they are working on a Dock?!?
  • Dale Taylor
    I often recommend or select computers for many person in my company. I recently decided to purchased a powerful laptop for CAD and engineering work. I selected a loaded Toshiba Tecra M5, and decided to compare it to a MacBook 15-inch 2.33 GHz laptop. My company does not install apple computers normally, but I decided to give it a try until I discovered a docking station was not available for the MacBook. I not willing to force my staff to bother with puugging/unplugging a half dozen devices daily, and therefore I changed my mind and purchased the Toshiba. The lack of a docking station for the MacBook was THE deciding factor for why I did not purchase the MacBook.
  • Well, everybody agrees, no dock = brainless, I am a proud Thinkpad owner for the last 10 yrs or so, I swithched to Dell and only with a model that has a dock, I would be ready to go to MacBook 17 but no dock = no deal. Apple do you hear???

    Thanks

    JOhn
  • Tim
    I absolutely and wholeheartedly agree. We have been examining the capabilities of the new Apple computers and we really wanted to switch our entire business from PCs to Macs in January. Unfortunately, the lack of a docking station is a show-stopper. All eight co-workers would be using a MacBook Pro 15" or 17" as their only computers and they all need to be able to take their computers home or anywhere else they want to go to continue working -- these are all creative, Mac-type people and if they want to go down to the coffee shop or into the park for a while to work that's fine with us.

    The lack of a dock makes it impossible to use these computers in this way. Apart from being impractical and making for an ugly desktop mess -- very un-Apple-like, by the way -- there's the concern that graphics port connectors are simply not designed to be plugged and unplugged three times a day.

    The BookEndz solution is not a solution. It just sits there on your desk saying: "I am a workaround for a poorly-designed computer."

    Combining laptops and desktops is not an option, both because of the expense and the work overheads for daily synchronization.

    The other major problem is the lack of any support for G3/UMTS mobile connectivity. There are no cellphones with G3 modem software for OSX and the same applies to G3/UMTS cards forthe Express port.

    So it looks like we are going to be biting the bullet and spending even more money on Lenovo Thinkpads with docking stations in which you can install real PCI Express graphics cards for multi-screen desktops.

    Ho hum...
  • Matt
    What would really be nice is one of those "docks" that the laptop sits in OPEN, but lifts it up so that the screen is more at eye level. Combine that with port replication through a simple connection, and you have a workstation that can stay fully connected and just needs a more ergonomic keyboard and mouse. Inexpensive desktop from a laptop. They do this for PCs; surely it wouldn't be hard for Apple to do the same.
  • Resuna
    Well, they have a dock for the 15" Macbook pro. The 17" is still hanging fire.

    And it's still not really compartable to a Thinkpad dock, which is much more than a port replicator. Not to mention all the ergonomic advantages of the Thinkpad...

    Apple got together with IBM japan once and they made a Powerbook together. Why can't they do it again? I'd MUCH rather run OS X on a Thinkpad.
  • Drew
    Chalk up another one for me. The lack of a sweet port replicator for the macbook pro is the only thing left on my "reasons why not to buy a macbook pro" checklist.
  • Matt R
    I totally agree on this Port Replicator / Dock thread... I'm looking to switch from my Dell Laptop to a MacBook Pro but this dock thing is one of a few items holding me back. Apple needs to step up for us business users who want to switch. I'd also like to see an updated Entourage but that's a different thread.
  • RJL
    where's the power switch??
  • So it looks like Bookendz came out with what you've been waiting for - http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=997712.

    It's kind of pricey, but that's their prerogative when they are the only game in town!
  • I have to agree with this. My MacBook is now my main workhorse ... thanks to Parallels, I run Solaris and Linux on it as well as OSX. However, on my desk I use my old Celeron Thinkpad running Linux ... because that has a dock!
  • Dale L. Larson
    I agree about replacing the desktop computer but not the desk. I almost never want an actual notebook. What I want is the ability to very easily move my CPU, RAM and HD from desk to desk. I'm happy to pay to keep a separate screen and keyboard at work and home, and don't need to pay the high prices of building those into my portable computer since I really don't care about using it except when I am at one of my desks.

    So how about something closer to a Mac Mini that was meant to carry around and plug into a dock? (Or to attached to a monitor for presentations with the apple remote, or just the hotel's TV for emergencies and/or DVDs?) Perhaps a notebook form factor but without the hinge, screen and keyboard, so it can easily fit into carrying cases/backpacks designed for notebooks, and can be less expensive while having more harddrive, fewer cooling proglems, etc.?
  • Stephanie
    According to Bookendz, the new MacBook docks will be out in August!
  • Blue Charvel
    According to the Bookendz website "BookEndz is committed to developing a Docking Station for the new MacBook Pro products. Check back for details as they become available." Wish they'd do it already... I had their dock for my 1 GHz PB before I got the MBP and it was quite satisfactory. http://www.bookendzdocks.com/
  • bluesparkhitsyourbrain
    I'm glad to find this thread and completely agree. I'd love the ability to come home, set the MacBook Pro in a dock and immediately start using my peripherals. I also think it would help Apple sell more peripherals. If it was that easy to connect an external monitor, for example, who wouldn't buy one as a companion to their laptop?
  • Teun
    Not only is it cumbersome to reconnect all wires twice a day, it is also ugly to have wires sticking out of the sides of the Macbook Pro. Steve if you read this, please give us a dock, at least on the next revisions of the macbooks.
  • Carlos
    Bookendz has been making docks for Apple laptops for some time now..they even have docks for the PowerBooks wich have ports on either side.

    I am sure they are working on something for the new MacBook and MacBook Pro
  • I as a student (often on the run) need a dock station too! I wish Apple could make a sexy slim dock for the MacBook and MacBook Pro.
blog comments powered by Disqus
« Skype on your Mac in Windows & OS X – Griffin iMic Answerstop Voicemail Monthly Fee – voicemail you didnt sign up for! »

Pages

Categories

Blogroll

Archive

Meta