Last update on 2024-04-10 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
Docking stations help to organize your workspace and increase your productivity. If you are a Mac user, productivity is probably one of your top priorities.
The matter, then, is finding a dock that is highly compatible with macOS and can step up your level of work.
In this article, we will talk about peculiarities involving Mac and docks, and then list three of the best docks you can get to go with your machine.
Does Apple sell a docking station?
Unfortunately, Apple does not sell any type of docking station. Many years ago they sold something that could be called a dock (the Duo Dock), but it is far from what we call now docks.
As of now, Apple doesn’t worry about fabricating its docks to support Macbooks. However, there are plenty of third-party companies that make docks compatible with macOS.
Some are recommended, such as Belkin (for common docks) or Brydge (for vertical docking).
What is the best way to dock a MacBook Pro?
If you clicked in the link above to check how the Duo Dock looked like, you saw that it sort of “swallowed” the laptop entirely. Well, nowadays there are docks that only “swallow” part of a MacBook. These are vertical docks.
They use Thunderbolt 3 and are made for you to use your MacBook as if it was a desktop, allowing you to connect an external keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other peripherals which might be useful.
One of the main concerns about docking this way is the laptop’s temperature, airflow, etc.
Companies such as Brydge are ensuring that their vertical docks allow proper ventilation so that your MacBook doesn’t get a melted processor at the end of the day.
Moreover, this type of dock has a clear advantage over the most common type. Since your Macbook is docked vertically, you have plenty of more space in your desk, allowing for more devices or simply keeping it clean.
If you study using physical books but also looking at one or two big monitors, this is like a dream come true.
Which is faster: USB-C or Thunderbolt?
Many people get confused as to what is the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt. To clarify the first thing, Thunderbolt runs in USB-C ports, however not all USB-C ports support Thunderbolt.
USB-C is one shape of a USB port. USB-C is, by standard, faster than the already known rectangle-shaped USB.
Thunderbolt 3, then, uses the USB-C shape too. However, not all USB-C ports are compatible with Thunderbolt.
To know if your laptop or desktop has Thunderbolt-ready USB-C ports, you need to check if there is a lightning bolt symbol on the side of your device’s USB-C ports. If there is nothing like it, then your machine doesn’t support Thunderbolt.
Now, you might already be imagining that because Thunderbolt is a more restricted tech, making use of USB-C ports, it is probably more advanced. That is completely right.
The data transfer speed for Thunderbolt-supporting devices is much, much higher. This is why many docking stations nowadays count on this resource.
It helps keep a whole system of multiple monitors and multiple USB-plugged devices running smoothly.
USB-C without Thunderbolt technology can reach data transfer speeds of up to 10GB/s. That is already fast, but Thunderbolt ports reach 40GB/s.
When you see that a dock station with Thunderbolt is super expensive compared to options without it, this is the reason for the difference.
This difference in data transfer translates into how many videos each type of connection can support.
For the record, Thunderbolt 3 allows you to connect your device to two 4K monitors, while plain USB-C only can connect to one. Read Popular Docking Stations For Dual Monitors.
Can a MacBook Air run two external monitors?
It definitely can if you connect it to the right docking station. The “right docking station” includes the vertical docks we already discussed (and which are the main focus of this article) as well as more traditional docks that sit on your desk as one more device.
Just remember that, for the best performance connecting to two monitors, you need Thunderbolt 3.
Some non-Thunderbolt docks allow for multiple monitors, but that way you don’t get 4K resolution, and sometimes the entire system becomes laggy.
3 Best Vertical Docking Stations For MacBooks
Vertical docks are available almost exclusively for Macbooks (you can find only a few of them made for Windows laptops) and they represent a great way of organizing all your devices.
A few brands are dedicated to making them, so we shall take a look at the best models.
Brydge Vertical Dock For Macbook Air 13-inch
Last update on 2024-04-10 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The vertical docks fabricated by Brydge are breathtaking both in design and functionality. Since they are designed to run specifically with macOS, you shouldn’t face any trouble getting your workspace all set up with this device.
One thing to take into account is that different MacBooks have a different sizes, Brydge fabricates a separate dock for each size.
So, if you get a dock for your 13-inch and later buy a 15-inch, you won’t be able to keep using your dock. The same applies reversely.
We already commented on airflow, and this Brydge nailed. This dock counts with a whole cooling system to prevent your machine from overheating, especially if you are a professional running heavy applications such as photo or video editing (as it is known that Macs are great for those).
This machine is made for your MacBook to work as a desktop, so everything that you could connect to it, you still can.
The difference is that you will need an external mouse and keyboard, as well as one or two monitors.
Note that this dock requires your MacBook to feature Touch Bars. If your MacBook doesn’t have Touch Bars, this dock won’t work with it.
Pros
- Premium build
- Thunderbolt 3
- Airflow management
Cons
- Lack of additional ports
What do the reviews say?
As expected, this vertical dock is great. Some users found out that this dock doesn’t only support MacBook Air, but also the MacBook Pro, however only the 13-inch version.
Brydge Vertical Dock For MacBook Pro 15-inch
Last update on 2024-04-10 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
There isn’t much to say about this dock, considering that it is basically the same device as the one listed above. The biggest difference, of course, is that this one works with 15-inch MacBooks.
However, all the rest is pretty much the same. There aren’t many ports, but you can use your MacBook similarly to how you would use a desktop, thus transforming your whole workspace.
HumanCentric
Last update on 2024-04-10 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
This HumanCentric model isn’t sold as a dock, but it performs the exact same function of a docking station, especially of a vertical one.
Even though its design isn’t as attractive as the docks made by Brydge, all the rest is superior. There is enough room for your MacBook to breathe and keep the airflow, but this isn’t what sines about this stand/dock.
What truly shines here is the number of ports that allow you to connect a great array of devices.
You get extra USB ports, an audio jack, and even video outputs to connect two monitors and transform your whole workspace.
Other useful ports include SD, microSD, and Ethernet.
The connection with the MacBook is through USB-C (double), as you might already have figured. This dock is not powered by your laptop but needs to be plugged into the wall with a USB-C cable.
You should be aware, though, that this dock is only compatible with MacBooks featuring Intel chipsets. If your MacBook has any other chipset, this will be of no use.
Pros
- Many ports
- Compatible with 13-inch and 15-inch Macbooks
- Connects to two monitors
- A great solution to organize your desk
Cons
- Only compatible with Intel chipset-based MacBooks
What do the reviews say?
Customers who tried this device fell in love with its ease of use and how it truly improves the space use of a desk at home (especially during the pandemics when many people started working from home). It is one of the most high-rated docks, especially for Mac.
4URPC Vertical USB-C Docking Station
Last update on 2024-04-10 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
The dock offered by 4URPC is similar to HumanCentric’s model, with pretty much the same design and functions. It is one more option in the market if you like variety.
To make sure, this model also connects through double USB-C, thus granting the possibility to connect your MacBook to dual monitors, displaying a different task in each of them or expanding your view.
It is also a robust-looking device, and as it is very similar to HumanCentric’s model, it also allows you to dock a MacBook of any size.
Just make sure that you can sit it steadily on your desk in a way that it won’t fall aside.
Pros
- Enough ports
- Compatible with MacBooks of all sizes
- Allows dual monitors
- Keeps your environment well organized
Cons
- Only compatible with Intel chipset-based MacBooks
What do the reviews say?
Customers who tell about their positive experiences point that this type of dock is incredible for small spaces.
As for hardware matters, the dock simply works. It is a very specific device, so it genuinely works with the specified MacBook models.
Ascrono Vertical Dock
Last update on 2024-04-10 / As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more about us.
If what you need from a vertical dock is only to save space on your desk but you don’t care about a bunch of extra ports, the Ascrono Vertical Dock might be the perfect accessory for your workspace.
This dock connects seamlessly with MacBook Pro in all its different sizes. It also features two Thunderbolt 3.0-powered ports. This way, you can connect external hubs and monitors.
It is also a very light product. Weighing only 2 pounds, you can carry it around if you need to connect your MacBook Pro to other external monitors, say, in your day job.
This type of dock is aimed at easily switching between two setups. If you are a person that likes to sit at the desk for a while but other times want to use the MacBook completely unplugged, this device might serve you all.
Pros
- Thunderbolt 3
- Seamless compatibility with MacBook Pro
- Touch bars
- Compatible with 13, 15, and 16-inch models
Cons
- Doesn’t count with many ports
- Expensive
What do the reviews say?
This dock is a recent model, so there are no customer reviews, as those are the ones we usually pay attention to to bring you the best info on what to expect.
Final Thoughts
Vertical docks/stands are not so common, but they are useful too if your laptop doesn’t overheat easily. They help you save space on your desk and increase your productivity, and when you need to take your laptop anywhere, it is easier.
Even though Brydge’s and Ascrono’s docks are beautiful, their usefulness is still subpar when compared to HumanCentric’s or even 4URPC’s models.
If your MacBook has an Intel chipset and you need to connect plenty of devices, the HumanCentric model is the best option (because of price and functionality).
If you only want to switch as quickly as possible between setups without the need for many ports, then Ascrono seems awesome.
