The model I got my hands on is for the 17-in MacBook Pro. Inside the box, you will find the plastic base along with the following cables: Ethernet, FireWire 800, USB Extenders (3) and audio (2). Not included are a MagSafe power adapter or a DisplayPort cable. You can order DisplayPort extenders and adapters from the Henge Docks site that are guaranteed to have enough slack for the dock. I would recommend buying another power adapter since removing the one used in the dock becomes rather tedious if you do it frequently.
Nov 30, 2017 - Have Your Cake and Eat it Too With the Henge Docks Vertical Dock.
Assembly is a little tricky, but the ability to choose which ports you want to extend is worth it. It took about a half hour to assemble everything and the end result seems pretty secure. I started by feeding the wires through with the dock laying on its side.
After about half the connectors were hooked up, I flipped everything up to its normal position and hooked up the remaining connectors. One thing that was confusing is why the audio connectors are shaped to fit into a particular slot on the dock but the other end of the cables aren’t marked as to which is headphone or line-in. Just remember which you feed through which hole. The hardest part was getting the DisplayPort to VGA adapter to fit. I would recommend purchasing one of the official Henge Docks adapters or at least their DisplayPort extender, it will save you some trouble. When it’s all put together, it works rather well. The manual states that you should never rock or carry the dock around with a MacBook docked.
You’ll notice right away that it can be top-heavy, so place it on secure surface that doesn’t wobble to avoid accidents. The only real drawbacks to the Henge Docks system are that you can’t access the power button or the FaceTime camera. If you accidentally shutdown the MacBook, you’ll have to un-dock the computer to open it up and power it back on. Since running the MacBook in clamshell mode is the whole point of a dock, you’ll have to get yourself an external USB webcam if you want to be able to do video chat. With limited options for docking stations, the Henge Dock does everything it claims to. If you want to pretty up your desk, and you frequently switch between desktop and portable configurations with your MacBook, the Henge Dock is an idea companion that will save you many unpleasant plugging and unplugging rituals. John Seipp Chriet, from my perspective there are two advantages.
The first is convenience, just being able to drop it in the dock or pull it out rather than plugging in 8 cables (power, headphone, 3 usb, firewire, display, microphone) and then unplugging 8 cablesminor but still more convenient. The bigger factor is getting the MBP vertical and off in a corner away from my work space rather than a horizontal footprint right in front of me. I have all the screen real estate I need with my Cinema Display, the premium is on space for things like speakers, mixer/amp, iPad dock, iPhone dock, etc. In the work space right around the monitor. The point of a dock is to be able to easily connect to all of your desktop peripherals, not to run in “clamshell mode”. You could do the latter even without a dock.
The inability to use the built-in display is also a potential downside to this style of dock for some users. I currently use my MBP on my desk the vast majority of the time and having the built-in display available as a secondary screen is surprisingly handy. Of course, I do have to plug in something like 6 cables which is a lot less convenient (and a lot uglier) than a dock, so I’d be interested in a dock that let me plug-in/unplug easily (and hopefully contain some of the clutter) while still letting me use the built-in screen. John Seipp This story contains a MAJOR inaccuracy. In point of fact Henge does NOT currently offer a mini display port extension cable, only adaptors from mdp to other formats.
So, if one wants to use the Dock with a Cinema Display (surely not an unusual set up) then the dock MUST be placed close enough to the Cinema Display for the integrated cable to reach the dock. I have found this out the hard way, having owned a dock since January and still unable to use as the spot I would like to place it is not within a foot of my Cinema Display. I have investigate several 3rd party extensions, but none match the size specs of Apple cables, and tolerances on the Henge dock are so tight that anything even slightly larger will not fit the cutout. Henge has been saying for 3 months they are having extensions fabricated, but do NOT offer them yet. So if you are planning to pair a MacBook Pro with a Cinema Display, buyer beware! You must, at this point, place the dock within reach of that CD cableso basically right next to it!
After using the new Retina MacBook Pro dock for a few weeks, we can safely say Henge Docks' is the company's best effort so far. The new Vertical Docking Station is a rethinking of the firm's well-known vertical stand. A new metal alloy construction far surpasses the hard plastic composite used in previous designs, details like covered screws for cable installation and superior material choice make for one of the best laptop docking solutions we've ever seen.
For this review, we used Apple's late-2013 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display and a metal edition Vertical Docking Station furnished by Henge Docks. Design Based on current composite Henge Docks designs, the Retina MacBook Pro Vertical Dock is extremely well made. Weighing in at 2.5 pounds, the dock is crafted from a high-density metal alloy that not only keeps the MacBook from tipping over, but matches the aluminum laptop's aesthetic.
The dock itself is basically a metal superstructure with a formed plastic cradle and strategically placed soft rubber inserts. Wherever the MacBook makes contact with the dock, a thick rubber material is there to ensure a snug fit and inhibit unnecessary movement. As with other Henge Docks products, the Retina MacBook version is form-fitted down to cutouts for the laptop's feet. Special to this model are holes in the cradle that line up with the MacBook's, as well as a rear slot for escaping hot air, allowing for optimal air flow even while under heavy load. Inserting a MacBook is simple as the inner rubber sheathing serves as a guide to align the dock's plugs with the Pro's left-hand ports.
As mentioned above, we found the dock to be quite sturdy, especially given the new design's metal build. There was, however, a bit of wiggle room between the dock and laptop. We were able to rock the MacBook back and forth ever so slightly, though displacement was on the order of millimeters; definitely not enough to disrupt overall stability.
One of Henge Docks' strengths has always been cable management and the new made-for-Retina dock continues that heritage with cable-appropriate plastic adapter tabs for MagSafe cords and a new built-in routing system. Instead of having system cables spill out through a cutout in the back of the dock, the metal version employs a rubber organizer that keeps cords in their place. Because the HDMI output is located on the laptop's right side, enlisting the Henge dock for media serving duties is simple. We ended up placing the unit right next to our HDTV's input panel to have quick access to a short HDMI cable left dangling from the television. To use the MacBook Pro while in clamshell mode, that is with the screen closed, the laptop needs to be connected to a power outlet. Running a MagSafe cable through the dock each time you use it can become tiresome, but unless you own two power cords, there really is no other option. Perhaps in future versions Henge Docks could design a break-free clamp, but for now users are stuck with the screw-in anchor.
We found the power cord's magnets were strong enough to hold the cable in place during use, but users who regularly dock their laptop may want to screw it in. This is especially true given the relative ease with which MagSafe 2 disengages. Like past Henge Docks designs, dismounting the laptop is requires two hands. This shouldn't be surprising given the dock's snug fit, though we expected the added weight would help the situation. Conclusion Henge Docks is flexing its design muscle with the Retina MacBook Pro Vertical Docking Station.
The new metal body is more sturdy than previous models, while the seemingly minor additions of a screw cover and cable organizer simply add to perceived build quality. With slick improvements to an already solid design, Henge Docks' Vertical Docking Station is an easy recommendation for Retina MacBook Pro owners who regularly use an external display or connect their machine to an HDTV. Score: 4.5 out of 5 Pros. Sturdy and aesthetically pleasing build. High quality materials.
Precision crafted Cons. Very slight wobble when laptop is installed. Difficult to disconnect with one hand. MagSafe 2 solution could be better Pricing & availability The new Henge Docks Vertical Docking Station for Apple's MacBook Pro with Retina display is available now from the. The 13-inch and 15-inch metal edition is priced at $119, while a composite Glossy White version can be had for $89. The MacBook Pro with Retina has fans that are not designed to work in this vertical configuration. I had a book arc and the fans make a clicking noise when your setup is like this.
After swapping my new machine for another brand new MBP and seeing the same problem the issue escalated all they way up through to the Apple hardware team. After research they confirmed that there is an issue with the fans in this configuration and that there would be NO fix. If you don't mind ticking in an otherwise quiet room then you are good to go. It drove me nuts though so now I run in a dual monitor configuration.
Originally Posted by Quadra 610 My understanding has always been that the MBP shouldn't be run with its lid closed. Heat issues, etc. Absolutely true. Yes, it has clamshell mode.
No, you should NEVER use it. I've seen more than one MBP cooked because somebody thought it would be a good idea to use it with the display closed. It works fine for a few years, but eventually the heat gets too much for it to handle, and the processor goes into permanent slowdown mode, you start getting kernel panics like crazy, and it's new logic board time. Originally Posted by DarkVader Absolutely true. Yes, it has clamshell mode. No, you should NEVER use it.
I've seen more than one MBP cooked because somebody thought it would be a good idea to use it with the display closed. It works fine for a few years, but eventually the heat gets too much for it to handle, and the processor goes into permanent slowdown mode, you start getting kernel panics like crazy, and it's new logic board time.
I've always run my MBPs in clamshell mode and have never had any heat related issues at all. My last two, core i7 and C2D in the previous Hedge Dock. This is at home and at work. At work we probably have 30 or 40 users with MBPs running in clamshell with 27' external displays. Never an issue and some of these systems have been running closed for years. Absolutely true.
Yes, it has clamshell mode. No, you should NEVER use it. I've seen more than one MBP cooked because somebody thought it would be a good idea to use it with the display closed. It works fine for a few years, but eventually the heat gets too much for it to handle, and the processor goes into permanent slowdown mode, you start getting kernel panics like crazy, and it's new logic board time. Ok I must be misreading this article.
I thought they were talking about the RETINA models.the ones where heat is dispersed out the back and the sides of the laptop. Originally Posted by Lorin Schultz Is there some benefit to all those cables? 'Hubs' like the Elgato and CalDigit use a single Thunderbolt cable to provide multiple ports - audio, USB3, HDMI and a second, daisy-chained Thundebolt port. Seems like it would be easier to have only one connection (plus power) trying to line up with the computer chassis instead of three, especially when one of those three is a relatively fragile 3.5mm plug. Then again, since those hubs cost $300 I guess it would drive up the price of the dock. You'd still need all those cables from the Elgato or CalDigit Thunderbolt hubs anyhow.
Henge Dock For New Macbook Pro
The hubs need their own power source too. The Henge Dock just has dumb passthrough connectors, no additional power source is necessary, kind of like a poor-man's hub, and priced that way. Hopefully it's engineered in a way that won't put too much lateral stress on any given plug. I have last year's MacBook Air, and I occasionally think about buying a CalDigit hub since I only have the one Thunderbolt connector and can't output to an external monitor and use wired Ethernet at the same time. I'll probably wait until I buy 1.) the next Mac mini (whenever that will be) with a Thunderbolt connector, and/or 2.) a Thunderbolt monitor.
The Henge Dock looks like it is designed specifically for one model, you can't use it with other MacBook models. I tend to stay away from accessories that will only work with one specific model. The only exception is an aluminum vertical stand for my trusty Mac mini, but it was something like twenty bucks, not $120 that the Henge Dock commands. ' Henge Docks' Vertical Docking Station is an easy recommendation for Retina MacBook Pro owners who regularly use an external display' What a puff review. Look, if real estate is a huge issue on your desk and you have a single monitor, the HengeDock makes some good sense.
Or if you don't mind shelling out this kind of cash to have a HDTV box, maybe, as the review remarks, but then I'm not sure you don't just buy an Apple TV and mirror the display. Otherwise, as others have pointed out, you're wasting the retina screen that makes the MacBook worth buying. I have a HengeDock. I also have a crowded desk with a kvm switch. It's a possible use case, and I noticed that the Mac I used tended to be the Mac I had - the HengeDock made my MacBook kvm friendly. But that's a horribly specific use case. This review doesn't feel supported by serious usage or someone considering price.
3 stars maybe, for great execution of a flawed design. Originally Posted by rufwork This review doesn't feel supported by serious usage or someone considering price. 3 stars maybe, for great execution of a flawed design. I've viewed the Henge vertical docks with puzzlement, as I could never figure out, if it's not giving you new ports, what their value for the price was. Reviews never seemed to say enough to change my mind. Then here's an AI review and I think 'OK, great, now I'll learn about what's so good about this thing'.
And it doesn't say anything, unless I'm missing it somehow. It doesn't say what it does and doesn't do! It talks a lot about the design and blah blah, and if you pore over every word one may figure it out by virtue of what isn't said.
Am I missing a sentence that says 'This basically holds your laptop vertically and just gives you pass-throughs of your existing ports. Thunderbolt in is Thunderbolt out.' I can appreciate certain situations where the cable management might be helpful, as rufwork has, but I've got everything used and don't feel the need to add a widget to my desk that makes me close the lid just to work. For a solution in search of a problem?
I don't get it. Like I say, I have no doubt it has proven useful for some people, but the glowing reviews I've seen that don't point out that it's for cable organization and not for port addition and adapting just make it seem like Henge is spending more on PR than anything else.