What is the best way to dock an Air? I move locations frequently.

[Bottomsup]

Hi

I am using the air for work and leave my desk with 24" monitor to attend meetings throughout my office 4-5 times a day. I currently have a gigantic w500 thinkpad which despite being huge has an easy click down docking station.

I'm know I can't expect that from the air and am willing to sacrifice a bit because of the portability when I travel but since I do dock and undock so often I want the best docking experience possible.

Thanks!

 

[aramosc]

http://www.hengedocks.com/ they make good docks but nothing yet for the MBAir.. theres the bookark but its pretty useless since you still have to plug everything in..

 

[Big D 51]

I've been looking myself but can't seem to find anything.

 

[fretdevil]

Just Curious

Why would you need a dock if the idea is to be portable?
I move mine around within the corporate environment without loss of functionality. I can print, view and retrieve network files without difficulty.
I almost never use the entire charge in a single day.

Just curious. why the need for a dock?

If I wish others to view content provided by my MBA, I connect (via HDMI) to a Sony 50" LCD that is located in our main conference room.

 

[Bottomsup]

Why would you need a dock if the idea is to be portable?
I move mine around within the corporate environment without loss of functionality. I can print, view and retrieve network files without difficulty.
I almost never use the entire charge in a single day.

Just curious. why the need for a dock?

If I wish others to view content provided by my MBA, I connect (via HDMI) to a Sony 50" LCD that is located in our main conference room.

because i want to use a large monitor and separate keyboard.

 

[hayduke]

I "dock" mine all the time, but just by plugging in the AC, mini-DVI, and USB. I can't honestly see a dock being much more convenient. If you have multiple USB devices, they can always plug into and ACD monitor or a hub then into the Air via a single USB.

Regardless, I've not encountered *any* docks for the Air.

 

[fretdevil]

because i want to use a large monitor and separate keyboard.

Have you thought of using a Bluetooth keyboard with a mini projector?

 

[macrumorsuser10]

Check out the Twelve South BookArc for the Air.

 

[maclaptop]

Apple just doesn't "get it" when it comes to the huge benefits of docks. They save so much time, and wear and tear on ports. For years we've used ThinkPads at work. They always offer docks and we buy one with every new laptop. Its revenue for them and convenience and efficiency for the user. Apple has always failed to understand the needs of the business user. They never will.

 

[theSeb]

Why would you need a dock if the idea is to be portable?
I move mine around within the corporate environment without loss of functionality. I can print, view and retrieve network files without difficulty.
I almost never use the entire charge in a single day.

Just curious. why the need for a dock?

If I wish others to view content provided by my MBA, I connect (via HDMI) to a Sony 50" LCD that is located in our main conference room.

What? The need for a dock is to be able to be portable. Most people prefer working on a monitor and a bunch of things connected. Now every time I want to leave the desk with the computer, I need to unplug a bunch of wires - not convenient at all and a waste of time. If everything is connected to a dock and then the air slides into the dock with one connector all I need to do is pick up the computer and when I come back it's quick and easy to reconnect it. I don't understand why you're so confused unless you enjoy plugging the power, monitor and usb devices in and out every time. I certainly don't.

 

[Bottomsup]

This is unfortunate. I'm the OP and haven't bought the air yet but this almost makes me want to get the 13" PRO instead because all ports are on one side and an aftermarket doc can be purchased.

 

[YMark]

Apple just doesn't "get it" when it comes to the huge benefits of docks. They save so much time, and wear and tear on ports. For years we've used ThinkPads at work. They always offer docks and we buy one with every new laptop. Its revenue for them and convenience and efficiency for the user. Apple has always failed to understand the needs of the business user. They never will.

+100. One of many reasons that Apple will never be in the corporate world. Not saying they give a rat's behind, but it is definitely a market they missed.

 

[drewyboy]

It's true they have kind of missed the business, but their business model works perfectly fine, actually is got to be one of the best. What other companies have less than 10% of the market yet are the 2nd largest company market cap in the world?

Edit: Plus, businesses are starting to adopt regardless. More so w/ iPhone + iPad.

 

[AWallen90]

Some of my ports are starting to wear out but if I had to go back and do it again I still do not think I would use a dock.

 

[harami]

Some of my ports are starting to wear out but if I had to go back and do it again I still do not think I would use a dock.

i need a dock for my port too, preferably 35 years or younger, semi hot with female-male adapters only.

 

[FuNGi]

Ugh. Most docks are fugly and require an unsightly port in the back of your laptop. Messy's up the design lines man.

I think Apple does realize the need to have just one thing to plug in and the thunderbolt port is moving in that direction by reducing the USB plug altogether. Next will be power too.

 

[notjustjay]

For many years I had a 12" PowerBook G4 at my desk, on the left side, with a nice 20" LCD monitor and Bluetooth cordless keyboard and mouse.

With this combination going the only thing I regularly had to plug and unplug when I took my computer out was the power cord, audio cable, ethernet cable and the display dongle. Since the ports were all on the left side it didn't take much time.

It wasn't really that annoying. And if you had Bluetooth speakers and used WiFi, you'd cut that down to just two cables: power and display.

That's what I'm planning to do if/when I pick up an MBA. Waiting for the refresh, hopefully next month.

 

[uwetodd]

Check out the Twelve South BookArc for the Air.

I don't think this is what the OP was aiming at since the MBA will be off/sleeping once it's in the cradle.

 

[macrumorsuser10]

I don't think this is what the OP was aiming at since the MBA will be off/sleeping once it's in the cradle.

No. If a MacBook (of any model) is connected to an external monitor and then has its lid closed, then the MacBook will continue to function normally with its display being that external monitor.

 

[Panch0]

Apple's docking station is the 27" cinema display. It includes MagSafe Power, USB and MiniDisplayPort connectors in a single cable.

I'm using a non-apple display, so I have to use individual cables, but they are bundled together on my desk. I actually find that the simple plugs on these connectors are easier to deal with than 'real' docking stations I've used in the past ( much like USB, you're supposed to tell the OS you're about to undock before you hit the eject button).

Coupled with a bluetooth keyboard and trackpad, I find it very easy to 'dock'. YMMV...

 

[Acronyc]

I'm using a non-apple display, so I have to use individual cables, but they are bundled together on my desk. I actually find that the simple plugs on these connectors are easier to deal with than 'real' docking stations I've used in the past ( much like USB, you're supposed to tell the OS you're about to undock before you hit the eject button).

I use a similar setup when I'm at home. With a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, all I have to plug into my 11” MBA is the power cable and my 23” monitor. I think it takes me all of a few seconds to plug and unplug everything. I’m a bit leery of using any current or future vertical docking solution, as I live in a region with a lot of earthquakes and I’d be concerned about the MBA/dock falling over.

 

[Psilocybin]

I use a similar setup when I'm at home. With a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard, all I have to plug into my 11” MBA is the power cable and my 23” monitor. I think it takes me all of a few seconds to plug and unplug everything. I’m a bit leery of using any current or future vertical docking solution, as I live in a region with a lot of earthquakes and I’d be concerned about the MBA/dock falling over.

Haha that's awesome. If an earthquake hits your worried about your MBA falling over


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hayduke]

Apple's docking station is the 27" cinema display. It includes MagSafe Power, USB and MiniDisplayPort connectors in a single cable.

I'm using a non-apple display, so I have to use individual cables, but they are bundled together on my desk. I actually find that the simple plugs on these connectors are easier to deal with than 'real' docking stations I've used in the past ( much like USB, you're supposed to tell the OS you're about to undock before you hit the eject button).

Coupled with a bluetooth keyboard and trackpad, I find it very easy to 'dock'. YMMV...

+1 and soon that will probably all be replaced with a single thunderbolt plug. I think Apple gets it. They just don't like clunky. As evidence, they simply don't make a dock to sell. They let small companies pick up the slack for niche products.

 

[Acronyc]

Haha that's awesome. If an earthquake hits your worried about your MBA falling over

I didn’t really think about it so much before the big earthquake here in Japan in March, but after some of my electronics fell down and broke (should have never setup my PS3 vertical), I’m trying to err on the side of caution. A lot of people have here their TVs on brackets or stuck to the stand with sticky tape.

 

[uwetodd]

No. If a MacBook (of any model) is connected to an external monitor and then has its lid closed, then the MacBook will continue to function normally with its display being that external monitor.

Learning new things every day. Thanks!