Brydge announces new line of vertical MacBook Pro, MacBook Air docks

The new Brydge vertical dock line will support all current MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, with some models available now.

Brydge, known for the Brydge Pro+ iPad keyboard that featured a trackpad, is expanding its Vertical Dock lineup, with plans to support all current-line MacBook models.

The docks employ a moving, suspended liner that allows for one-handed docking and undocking. They also allow for dual-display setups for those who require more screen space for their projects.

Once docked, a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro will be instantly connected via two Thunderbolt 3 connections at a full 40 gigabits per second. Intake and exhaust vents will provide additional cooling, which can be critical when running in clamshell mode.

"Since our acquisition of Henge Docks in September 2019, we've been hard at work reengineering and expanding our Vertical Dock line," said Nicholas Smith, Co-CEO and founder of Brydge.

Currently, users can get a Brydge Vertical Dock for the 15-inch MacBook Pro or the 13-inch MacBook Pro through Amazon or Brydge itself. Each dock costs $169.99.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 13-inch MacBook Air Vertical Docks will be shipping in October, though customers can request to be informed when these docks go on sale.

15 Comments

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

About 4 years ago

It’s kind of cool, but it is advisable to run a MacBook vertically for long periods of time? I know there are less moving parts in modern notebooks, but it still makes me a bit uneasy.

charlesatlas 401 comments · 9 Years

crowley said:

It’s kind of cool, but it is advisable to run a MacBook vertically for long periods of time? I know there are less moving parts in modern notebooks, but it still makes me a bit uneasy.

There are no moving parts in modern notebooks, except for cooling fans. MacBooks haven't used hard drives in many years. Theoretically, the vertical orientation would improve heat dissipation via convection currents, which isn't insignificant considering how hot some MBs feel after they've been running a while, especially without a notebook cooler.

Eric_WVGG 969 comments · 8 Years

Brydge has been selling these for nearly a decade, if there was an issue I imagine it would have come up by now.

I'm less concerned with that than the fact that these charge with the left side down. There's a bizarre issue with MBPs where they use more CPU when peripherals are plugged in on the left and it's charging on the left. Wondering why they didn't reverse the orientation.

https://www.imore.com/heres-why-you-should-probably-charge-your-macbook-using-ports-its-right-side

I have considered getting one of these, but modern Macbooks have so many weird problems with external displays that adding one more factor to the mix… nah.