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

I work in the film industry as a DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) so I'm not a "light/casual" user. My LandingZone Dock has been in my production truck for over 6 months with changing weather conditions, different hard drive configurations and multiple workflows that require plugging and unplugging cables hundreds of times. I'm currently using it with each port occupied and 6 daisy-chained Thunderbolt devices in a 5+ camera TV show where I need to place a switch, I/O hub, hard drives, internet channels, etc. The docking station is very handy for cable management as almost ALL the cables run through the back so at night I just pull the tab and walk off set with my MBP while my dolly stays connected and ready. There is simply no other option on the market that works like this, especially with 5 USB ports, Kensington Lock and HDMI. I use a rack case with tabs that hold the Macbook up so the whole system (dock and laptop) is a single unit that stays in place while I work. Here's a PRO rundown: Ethernet adapter drivers worked on every Macbook Retina I've docked. This includes Ethernet to USB3 adapters plugged into the USB ports - the HDMI connector is solid and snaps in nicely with good quality cables. I didn't measure support for 4K, only HD. I expect it will pass 4K 30Hz appropriately. The 2 USB 2.0 ports are great for simple devices like UPS backup power and phone charging. The Magsafe 2 Port has a nice simple lock. I bought a spare 85W Apple charger and left it permanently in the LZ dock for convenience. After a few tries, you quickly get used to aligning and locking the ports. As others have said, just line up one side at a time. - Same price as TB base docks on the market but with more features. CONS: - No support for USB 3.0 port multiplier or software RAID. This was a major disappointment for the experienced USB 3.0 hard drive user. Normally customer come to install and transfer 3 disks for backup. Typically, you can set up software RAID and mirroring using your Macbook's USB3 ports. However, LZ Dock causes kernel panics on both Mountain Lions and Mavericks and refuses to cooperate when you try to RAID drives connected to the USB 3.0 ports. Also, I've had no luck using the port multiplier (placing an enclosure with multiple hard drives and a single USB 3 port). - The hard case must be removed for the dock to work. I wish they made a Speck Case version so I can protect my Macbook when it's not in the dock. Since you will need to use the dock with a bare Macbook, you will need to snap and remove the bottom of the case shell. However, the TOP fits (you can leave it). on).Rubber the legs on the bottom are already peeling off. Better glue could be used. -It would be great if there was a lip on the back that you could just press the macbook against and then snap it in place. In other words, a shape that doesn't require it to dock as much as possible 'aligns' the ports - A matching silver aluminum finish would be nice - A travel case can be used to protect the ports that stick out Use when they're not in (TB, Magsafe, HDMI, USB3) If you want your accessories to stay connected and you want to give your Macbook a desktop feel, this is a great solution. It could use a few USB 3 hardware hub setups but is still very versatile, especially for this price point.