[Macworld]

Post your comments for Henge Docks Docking Station for MacBook & MacBook Pro here

[mgpalma]

Good write up, thought as much when I first looked into purchasing one (about the power adapter).

*mis-spelling in 3rd paragraph under "Fits like a glove"
"and then reinstall it wen you return."

[Lorre]

This is a really cool concept, but I can imagine this is a bit of a hassle with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. You'll have to make sure they are actively connected to your MacBook before you close the lid to dock it, because then it'll go to sleep of course, and you'll have no way to wake from sleep if your Bluetooth mouse and KB were not connected to it. Or am I wrong?

Am I right to assume that with a USB KB/Mouse, you just close the lid, pop the MacBook in the dock, hit a key on your keyboard and you're good to go?

It's a shame this very nice and attractive concept won't work for a MacBook Air, as that is my next planned laptop purchase...

[mtabini]

Lorre, on 10 March 2011 - 07:53 AM, said:

This is a really cool concept, but I can imagine this is a bit of a hassle with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. You'll have to make sure they are actively connected to your MacBook before you close the lid to dock it, because then it'll go to sleep of course, and you'll have no way to wake from sleep if your Bluetooth mouse and KB were not connected to it. Or am I wrong?

As long as your keyboard or mouse is paired (a one-time operation), you will be able to wake the laptop from sleep after you've docked it. It works like a charm (I even have mine hooked up to two monitors through a USB video adaptor, and OS X switches between one and two screens effortlessly).


—Mt.

[MutantPie]

Seems like a bit of a wasted of a screen. If I had the hardware depicted above, I'd have the laptop open for more screen space. Especially when working with any program with a workspace window and separate tool windows (e.g. Photoshop).

[DrPhilS82]

How does this affect cooling capacity? I had always been under the impression that the "lid should be left open" so that the laptop can more readily dissipate heat?? Particularly since the inception of the aluminium unibodies?? I believe part of the story relates to heat-damage to the built-in screen when running with the lid closed??

[whitedog]

MutantPie, on 10 March 2011 - 08:11 AM, said:

Seems like a bit of a wasted of a screen. If I had the hardware depicted above, I'd have the laptop open for more screen space. Especially when working with any program with a workspace window and separate tool windows (e.g. Photoshop).

If you need two screens this solution might not be for you, though, as the author noted, he was able to use a second monitor vie a USB video connector, a setup he was apparently already using, presumably with his MBP closed. For many people, for whom desktop space is at a premium, this could be an ideal arrangement.

[BulkHedd]

I have this dock for my late 2010 13" MacBook Pro and I LOVE it! It makes it SO easy for me to keep my MBP connected to an external display yet still be able to be portable with a minimum amount of effort.
One thing not mentioned, however, is that the SD card slot will also be inaccessible so you might need to take that into account.

[Dan Frakes]

DrPhilS82, on 10 March 2011 - 10:05 AM, said:

How does this affect cooling capacity? I had always been under the impression that the "lid should be left open" so that the laptop can more readily dissipate heat?? Particularly since the inception of the aluminium unibodies?? I believe part of the story relates to heat-damage to the built-in screen when running with the lid closed??

Apple officially supports using a MacBook with the lid closed.

[bcapehart]

Dan Frakes, on 11 March 2011 - 12:15 AM, said:

DrPhilS82, on 10 March 2011 - 10:05 AM, said:

How does this affect cooling capacity? I had always been under the impression that the "lid should be left open" so that the laptop can more readily dissipate heat?? Particularly since the inception of the aluminium unibodies?? I believe part of the story relates to heat-damage to the built-in screen when running with the lid closed??

Apple officially supports using a MacBook with the lid closed.

Yup, I can run a weather forecast model on my MP Pro when using the Arch thingie and no smoke has come from it yet. It gets about as warm as it does when I'm running it lid open.

[jafu]

As another reviewer mentioned, the SD card slot is inaccessible when docked. That may be a dealbreaker for those who take a lot of photos. As for cooling, as long as the rear of your Macbook isn't blocked you'll be fine.
I prefer to have my 2010 13" Macbook Pro closed when connected to an external display, to prevent the graphics power from being divided between the two.

[brucefoote]

Since I wanted to keep the heat level to a minimum with the lid closed, I use the free InsomniaX application which allows the Mac screen to shut down while the lid is closed. I find that while in the doc, the Mac runs cooler because both the top and bottom are exposed to the circulating air in the room. As for the SD card Slot being covered, I use a USB card reader. This is the solution that we used prior to Apple providing a SD slot. It is a non issue.

[jafu]

Lorre, on 10 March 2011 - 07:53 AM, said:

This is a really cool concept, but I can imagine this is a bit of a hassle with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. You'll have to make sure they are actively connected to your MacBook before you close the lid to dock it, because then it'll go to sleep of course, and you'll have no way to wake from sleep if your Bluetooth mouse and KB were not connected to it. Or am I wrong?

Am I right to assume that with a USB KB/Mouse, you just close the lid, pop the MacBook in the dock, hit a key on your keyboard and you're good to go?

It's a shame this very nice and attractive concept won't work for a MacBook Air, as that is my next planned laptop purchase...

Yes, you're right. If you have a USB wireless mouse and/or keyboard and your MBP is asleep with the lid closed, all you have to do to wake it up is to hit a key on the keyboard or wiggle the mouse. I have no idea if that applies to bluetooth as well.

[MarcusMann]

jafu, on 17 March 2011 - 02:57 PM, said:

Lorre, on 10 March 2011 - 07:53 AM, said:

This is a really cool concept, but I can imagine this is a bit of a hassle with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. You'll have to make sure they are actively connected to your MacBook before you close the lid to dock it, because then it'll go to sleep of course, and you'll have no way to wake from sleep if your Bluetooth mouse and KB were not connected to it. Or am I wrong?

Am I right to assume that with a USB KB/Mouse, you just close the lid, pop the MacBook in the dock, hit a key on your keyboard and you're good to go?

It's a shame this very nice and attractive concept won't work for a MacBook Air, as that is my next planned laptop purchase...

Yes, you're right. If you have a USB wireless mouse and/or keyboard and your MBP is asleep with the lid closed, all you have to do to wake it up is to hit a key on the keyboard or wiggle the mouse. I have no idea if that applies to bluetooth as well.

From what I've noticed, sometimes, when i plug in the display and power cables into a closed (and asleep) MBP, it will wake up automagically. And i just tested, that the bluetooth mouse does indeed wake from closed sleep.