20614 Back in the '90s, Apple's first effort building compact laptops (if you don't count the original PowerBook 100) was the PowerBook Duo, which combined a subcompact laptop computer module that could be used as a freestanding notebook for portability and road warrioring. As with today's PC netbooks (but not the MacBook Air, the Duo's keyboard was not full-sized and it's pointing device - in that case a tiny trackball -left something to be desired.The Duo laptop module had no internal floppy drive or optical drive, and only minimal I/O ports, but could be inserted in a dedicated desktop Duo Dock with a full-size CRT monitor, a full set contemporary I/O ports, a Flaoting Point Unit co-processor, and two internal NuBus expansion slots that would let it function as a desktop computer -- albeit not an especially powerful one. Later, a variety of more compact, "headless" Dock solutions displaced the bulky original.

Toward the end of that decade, laptop computers became powerful, versatile, and connectable enough, with availability of larger, higher-resolution displays, and the video support to drive much bigger external ones, that many of the the Duo's erstwhile advantages were negated, but now with the popularity of netbooks It seems quite logical that the PowerBook Duo concept would be successfully revisited and updated, using a modern ultracompact laptop like a MacBook Air or PC netbook as its "core module."

Enter Apricorn's Aegis NetDock 3 in 1 Docking Station. It's not quite a full revival of Apple's Duo concept - there's no provision for memory expansion or expansion card slots, but its attractive, compact enclosure houses an optical CD/DVD drive, a four port USB hub for connecting peripherals and external input devices, and a built-in hard drive for storage expansion, providing upgraded functionality while retaining the ultralight's easy-to-carry portability when untethered. At home or the office it connects to your computer by plugging in a single USB cable.

Apricorn's NetDock transforms your MacBook Air or netbook into a basic mini-desktop that allows you to conveniently install new software or updates from disks, access additional storage, watch and burn DVDs and CDs, or connect the computer to a printer - all in in a package with a not-much-larger footprint than a CD case.

Latest Optical Engine:
Whether looking to load the latest software, play a DVD or burn a CD, the NetDock's optical drive has you covered.

High Capacity Hard Drive Enclosure:
The NetDock's built-in hard drive enables you to store your media collection in one location. Synchronizing software is included for keeping your data up-to-date between your Netbook and NetDock.

4-Port USB Hub:
Connect to all your USB peripherals in just one simple connection -- especially useful with the port-impoverished MacBook Air.

Two ALWAYS-ON USB Ports:
With two, ALWAYS ON USB ports, the NetDock works nicely for charging USB devices, such as iPhones, iPods and iPads.

Auto "ON" and "OFF" feature:
The NetDock's auto "ON" and "OFF" feature, powers-down the NetDock down when not in use, automatically turning it on when connected to your computer.

Apricorn NetDock's slim, compact form factor makes it ideal for use in small places such as dorm rooms, and as a supplement not only to a MacBook Air or netbook but also to any other portable USB devices. Including a vertical stand, the candy-red NetDock enclosure module's tiny footprint (it can be used either flat or vertically in its included stand) can be accommodated in most workspaces or study areas.

The NetDock is also happily designed to enable its enclosure to be opened with a single screw, making hard drive swaps a breeze.

At its modest price, the Apricorn NetDock is a very attractive means of adding some desktop functionality to an ultralight laptop, alhough I can't help fantacizing how cool it would be if there were an upscale model that would let you expand the MacBook Air's mediocre 2 GB of RAM and incorporating some ExpressCard or even SD Card expansion slots, or even more powerful graphics support for driving larger desktop displays -- a real revival of the Duo.

NetDock specifications:

• Data Transfer Rate: USB 2.0 - up to 480mbps (dependent on hard drive and controller)

• Power Supply: Input/Output: 100V - 240V 50/60Hz 2A / 12V - 2A and 5V 2A

• Enclosure Interface: Hi-Speed USB 2.0
4-Port USB Hub with two "ALWAYS ON" USB Ports

• Hard Drive Specs: (Models without hard drive also available)
RPM: 5400
Buffer size:8MB
Average seek time: 12 ms
Shock - non operating: 1000G 1ms
Shock - operating: 300G 2ms

• Optical Drive Specs:
Dual Layer Recording: Yes
DVD±R DL Write Speed: 4X
DVD±RW Write Speed: 8X
DVD Read Speed:8X
CD-R Write Speed: 24X
CD-RW Write Speed:24X
CD-ROM Read Speed:24X
Buffer Underrrun Protection: Yes

• Dimensions: 6.25 in x 5.75 in x 2.125 in

• Warranty: 1 year limited

• Mac System Requirements:

- Hardware:
G3 or later CPU, 64MBs RAM, USB, CD ROM or CD-R/RW drive

- Supported Operating Systems:
OS 10.x

• PC System Requirements:

- Hardware:
Pentium II 350 MHz CPU, 64MBs RAM, 40MB of hard disk space for included software

- Supported Operating Systems:
Windows 2000 sP4, XP SP2 or later & Vista

Prices range from $89.00 for the basic unit with no hard drive installed, to $189.00 with a 500GB drive included.

For more information, visit:
http://www.apricorn.com/index.php

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