Docks?

[Sesshi]

I'm now fully set up on Dell Latitude laptops for use as general purpose transportable desktops using the Advanced Port Replicator.

The combination is excellent. Click in to get essentially a full desktop - you may be able to see the power button on the Advanced Port Replicator itself which allows for fully lid-closed operation from start to finish, and the APR also allows for dual-monitor setups. To go fully mobile, click out - nothing else to connect/disconnect. Since the APR's are AC powered and also charges the laptop, your AC adapter can stay in your laptop bag.

THIS is the way to go for a transportable desktop... and as a result, the Macbook Pro with the iCurve is looking a bit inadequate.

Is there an APR like device for the MBP? Without a dedicated system IO port I don't really see how that's possible but I was thinking there might be someone out there with ingenious ideas.

 

[yellow]

No, there isn't.

There were some ccomplete pieces of **** for PBs and iBooks, but they were.. well.. complete pieces of ****.

 

[Queso]

Not quite as tidy, but it does the job

Bookendz

 

[Sesshi]

Nifty. Unfortunately none for the 17" MBP that I can see.

 

[yellow]

And there the aforementioned pieces of **** are linked.

We purchased 10 of them for various laptop users between 2004 and 2005. Not a single one survives today. All I can say (to back up my claim of POS), is the workmanship between units appears to be very shoddy.
There were issues with fitting the laptops into the units. Even between uses with the same laptop!
There were issues with the units themselves coming apart.
There were MANY issues with the units ceasing to function. Bad connectors and parts.

Ultimately, all the users decided on their own that using them was more of a hassle than was needed. Thank goodness because we were wasting a lot of time fiddling with them to get them working again.

Unfortunately, Mac laptops aren't built to use docking stations, so any 3rd party docking stations out there are pretty much packaged kludges.

 

[Sesshi]

I see. A shame. Thanks for the information in any case.

 

[Queso]

One to avoid then

 

[yellow]

My bitching aside, this was all pre-Intel Mac.

Perhaps the BookEndz people have done a better job with their new generation of docking stations. I really don't know. My previous experiences were enough to sour me from them for quite some time (until Mother Necessity knocks).

That being said, my statement still stands:

Unfortunately, Mac laptops aren't built to use docking stations, so any 3rd party docking stations out there are pretty much packaged kludges.

 

[Sesshi]

It wasn't world's away from what I had in mind as a 'wish dock'.

I was thinking the only way to get a 'docking station' to work with the MBP was a z-shaped stand where lifting it up by a front handle (which then looped up and over the trackpad, that action providing enough leverage to locate the connectors properly) caused connectors on both sides to come together. The upper tray would have to have a slight indentation which is very precisely sculpted for the MBP for it to sit in, providing correct location for the connectors. It would have to be a very high quality piece of manufacture though to work all the time.

I think I'll give it a miss. If you do happen to come across the MBP version by dint of necessity once again, by all means please do resurrect this thread.