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#Best macbook pro docking station how to#

New MacBook Pro docks will connect via USB-C or Thunderbolt. Some vertical docks are available in different sizes to accommodate varying MacBook dimensions, whereas dongles and most hubs can be used across all models. Because the company tends to make subtle but important modifications to their computers’ exterior dimensions and configurations, it’s important to know which model you own to ensure that the dock you select will be fully compatible with your machine. This means that you will need to provide two additional monitors if you want a dual display, as the computer’s built-in screen will not be viewable.Īpple has provided users with a number of MacBook models over the years in various sizes. While these docks are slick and modern-looking, they require the MacBook to be shut while connected. These docks are engineered to perfectly line up with the appropriate model of MacBook Pro, connecting to its ports and keeping the computer securely tucked away.

Vertical docking stations provide a saddle into which you slide your entire laptop.

Those looking for a seamless docking solution will likely appreciate that many hub manufacturers provide models that match the now iconic aluminum finish on Apple’s laptops. Hubs allow for fewer wires and a more compact manner in which to connect an additional monitor or two to your computer.

Hubs typically connect to your MacBook Pro directly via the computer’s ports and sit snugly behind, against or under your laptop.

These devices are light and portable, although some especially small models may not allow for as much connectivity as some users demand.

Dongles, which are small breakout boxes that connect to your MacBook via a USB cable, are the least expensive and most common way that people expand the functionality of their computer.

All three provide similar functionality but vary greatly in how they look and attach to your computer.

There are three distinct types of MacBook Pro docks available. What to know before you buy a MacBook Pro docking system for dual monitors Dock types The Anker PowerExpand Direct 7-in-2 USB C Adapter lets you expand the ports of your MacBook and connect it to additional monitors as well as other useful devices. Thankfully, docking stations are available that let you accessorize your laptop with an additional monitor or two, potentially tripling your display real estate. However, no matter how much power it packs under the hood, your MacBook will always be limited with regard to its monitor size. With recent advancements in both speed and efficiency, Apple’s MacBook Pro laptops are more than capable of being the centerpiece of a fully functional workstation.

#Best macbook pro docking station how to#

This guide to the top MacBook docking stations for your Apple laptop will help you find the desktop peripheral setup that's right for you. (For a higher-level overview of docking-station options, check out our guide to how to pick a laptop docking station.Which MacBook Pro docking system for dual monitors is best? If you don't want to rely on a whole host of USB-C adapters or dongles back at your desk, a docking station can be your best solution short of buying a desktop Mac. At certain times, you want to work on a single laptop screen in the living room, and at others, you buckle down at a desk with a more elaborate multi-screen setup and desktop peripherals. And in these fraught days, with most business travel reduced to wearing a path in the carpet between your home office and the kitchen, flexibility matters. But many offices around the globe still rely on legacy ports such as HDMI and USB 3.0, not to mention SD card readers and Ethernet for wired connections. Thunderbolt and wireless connectivity are perfectly serviceable for most mobile professionals while they're out and about. Check out our primers on Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 to learn what makes Thunderbolt different from USB-C. Like Henry Ford's Model T, which gave you a choice of colors (so long as you chose black), modern MacBooks give you your choice of ports, so long as they are Thunderbolt ports.Īpple uses Thunderbolt 3 on laptops with Intel processors, and Thunderbolt 4 on laptops with Apple's own M1 processor. Apple's MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and discontinued MacBook are remarkable laptops, but they don't make for the best desktop alternatives right out of the box.