Review: Henge Docks Vertical Docking Station for MacBook Pro

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple’s MacBook Pro line of portable computers are the quintessential power users’ notebooks. Relatively light and powerful, they are ideal for working on-the-road specially the newer models with improved fourth generation Intel Core processors.

Powerful enough to replace desktops for general use, the MacBook Pros also make ideal dual-purpose machines that can be used to work anywhere outdoors as well as firmly planted in the traditional desk and office setting.

Henge Docks has created the ideal vertical docking station for the MacBook Pro that allows it to integrate into a larger desktop setup within seconds. Available for both the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 15-inch MacBook pro with Retina display, the Henge Dock Vertical Docking station takes up very little space while deftly managing to dock the MBP into a larger monitor, external keyboard and mouse setup while maintaining access to all the important ports. 

Different people work differently. I find that I am more consciously productive sitting at my desk and in my office chair with  a large monitor, standalone keyboard and trackpad. While I have a Mac Pro that serves as a video rendering and multi-purpose home PC, most of my critical work, photos and email is on my MacBook Pro.

I dug out an old monitor I wasn’t using, an extra keyboard and mouse and thanks to the Henge Dock, I was suddenly on a second, very capable and updated desktop Mac. The Henge Dock is precision built and with similar aluminum finish as the MacBook Pro, which means it looks and feels like a natural extension of my notebook.

The amount of space saved is quite remarkable, and I liked the fact that the MacBook Pro remained quiet and cool throughout. It was also easy enough to connect the MacBook Pro to external drives, microphones and video cameras. 

With a little cable management, you can get an super-minimalist yet elegant  looking desktop set up with wireless keyboards, mouse or trackpad and an Apple Cinema Display or really, any single or dual monitor that your MacBook Pro can power.

The price of the Henge Docks Vertical Docking station for the MacBook Air is $119 (the non-aluminum variants as well as models for the MacBook Air are cheaper), well worth it for what it does and I’ve considered getting one for my home office and another for my office. The Henge Docks system really expands the way people can use their notebooks and the process of docking-in and out is dead easy once the external wires and plugs are set-up.

For anyone wanting to expand the functionality of thier portable Macs and create a clutter-free desktop environment, this is really the best option out there right now.

Rating: 5 out of 5