Where is the Docking Station?

Hi,

I am getting prepared to buy a laptop. I was on the verge of purchasing a Thinkpad T61 and then I saw the MacBook Pro. Although quite expensive, I was fairly impressed. One thing I cannot find however is a docking station for when I bring my laptop home?

What does Apple do for docking stations and where can I find more information about what is available?

 

There is no docking station for the MacBook Pro . You charge the MacBook Pro with the power cord, and if you want more ports, you'll have to get a USB hub or use the Expresscard slot for reading media cards, etc.

 

Hmm, that's a pretty big bummer. Is there a docking station for the regular MacBook or is that not something Apple does?

It's pretty important to me to be able to easily transition between home LCD and on-the-go.

 

Its not something Apple does. Docking stations are more business accessories and Apple isn't really into that market yet. Sorry .

 

Ok, thanks a lot for your help Sam.

I guess my last question would be, what do you guys do that have an external monitor and maybe a keyboard and mouse?

Do you just hook it up everytime... only use the monitor... or use some 3rd party gadget?

Thanks!

 

i think this is about your only option for docking.

 

Monitor can plug directly into the laptop via DVI.

Use a bluetooth mouse/keyboard to eliminate needing to plug those in.

 

I basically just hook it up everytime. It really is not that big a deal, altohugh a docking station would be much cleaner/easier. Unfortunately, Apple is of the philosophy that a notebook is meant to be mobile and should never require a docking station. Kind of weird since they do seem to love gouging for accessories and a docking station would be the perfect way to charge you for something else.

 

i agree with cashmonee. plugging in the ports really only takes a few seconds.

bluetooth uses up too much batteries imo.

 

they need one. put docks on it for the ipod and iphone watch how fast it would sell.

 

http://www.bookendzdocks.com/

 

Does anyone notice how big of a rip off these are? They are really not worth anywhere near the price that these guys are charging for it?

Also plugging in is not so difficult, what I usually do is hook up the dvi, cat 5e, magsafe, and a usb hub (which has my printers, keyboard, mice, etc) to it.

Save your money.

 

That is nice if you are looking for a dock to give you dual external lcd screens. I would ask if that supports it or just has a DVI passthrough and a dvi->vga converter.

If you want dual lcds there is always a product by Matrox.

 

I currently have one lcd hooked up as the dual portion to go with my macbook screen. What is Matrox??

And i think bookendz is a pass through

 

Matrox is a brand that manufactures a lil device that plugs into your vga port and gives you 2 vga ports out.

So you can use your laptop + external lcd and external lcd, yes all 3!

or you can shut the lid and use just the 2 externals.

 

THAT IS AWESOME!! i have got to get one of those... time for some shopping... i am going to hook up my mbp to my laptop screen.. the monitor... and the 32 inch lcd that i am planning to get in my office...

This is going to be great... just hope they have something for dvi support??? hopefully if they can do vga then why not dvi??

 

They have DVI, just make sure , by checking the matrox website, that it can drive / handle the high resolution of that 32" monster.

 

yeah, it really is silly that they don't make a docking station. I'd pay $200 for one, if it actually included the power adapter. Major problem being, is there is no area on the MBP to connect a dock. Maybe with the new patent they have, they can put it in the hing, or under it.