Review on 💻 Secure Docking Station LandingZone Dock for 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, Model A1398 (2012-2015) by Durward Carlson

(UPDATE 3/4): After using the docking station for a few months, I discovered one of its most annoying features: laptop latches. That. Thankfully, I usually only do this once a week on Mondays, but it doesn't just happen. You actually have to sit there and work with him to get each of the ports *exactly* right (and hope it doesn't move so-so if you shift your attention to the right side after you've aligned the left side). high). To make matters worse, since the plastic construction yields (flexes) very easily, you have to align the ports on both the left and right sides of the laptop both horizontally and vertically. If you don't pick up your laptop often, it won't be too fussy; but if you undock your laptop daily, you might want to wait to see what BookEndz has to offer. Original Rating: This is the best docking station I've used for a Mac to date. The LandingZone Dock for Retina MacBook Pro gets 5 stars from me for functionality. I gave it one star for its relatively solid but somewhat flimsy construction. LZ plastic (more durable metal construction compared to BookEndz). First the design: the Kensington lock is a very welcome addition since Apple has decided to remove this option from the laptop itself. Unfortunately, since it's connected to a dock, it's just as solid as the dock and the USB and Thunderbolt ports that hold it in place. Even with the lock installed, the ejector lever itself will not turn off. The lock prevents the two ends from opening easily, since the lever is not locked, but still allows a lot of pressure to be exerted on the mechanism. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty confident that I can remove the laptop and destroy the docking station in the process with minimal effort. However, this should be enough to prevent a thief from quickly throwing it overboard during working hours if there are people nearby. Overall, the design looks a bit poor. If it was $99 I probably wouldn't have thought about the build; but at $200 it seems like it should be a little more reliable. Now for what makes this dock shine. LandingZone has really packed a lot of features into one small factor. Ever since Apple decided that nobody needed Ethernet ports anymore (let alone those of us trying to use Macs as work computers), the only option has been an annoyingly large dongle. LZ fixes this by embedding a USB3-to-Ethernet adapter directly into the docking station. Fabulous! The ethernet adapter requires a custom driver to be installed from its website, which some Mac users may not be used to (I was surprised). There is also an adapter from USB to audio output. This is not only practical, but with the optional audio controller you can play system sounds through the built-in speakers and other audio signals through normal external speakers. All plugs are hidden on the back of the docking station. - Very convenient. LZ also made room for your MagSafe2 connector. It magically connects to your computer when you dock it and snaps into place when you close the dock (no extra step required), making it look more like a regular PC dock. You simply line up the USB ports on either side and everything snaps together when you close the handle. So far I'm really digging this dock. I'm coming from the BookEndz dock for my previous MBP which died. While more durable, it was a clumsy and inelegant solution. Conclusion: Elegant design. I'm a fan.* Pros: Built-in Ethernet and audio ports; Kengington lock (although it offers minimal security)* Cons: Seemingly fragile design, difficult to dock