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Can I get rid of my docking station?

mCode
By mCode
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Posted

Hi guys,

 

I'm currently dealing with a lot of cables and it feels annoying / unecessary. I wish I could get rid of my docking station.

 

Situation

- Mac Mini | For personal use only

- Macbook Pro | For work use only

- Docking station to connect both HDMI cables and webcam. I could probably buy a bluetooth webcam?

 

Budget

I'm willing to spend €100 to get rid of this problem (Netherlands). 

 

Preffered solution

I want to create a solution where I only need one HDMI cable and easily swap between my MBP & Mac Mini. I was also thinking of using my phone as a webcam and get a phone mount instead.

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[ Moved to General Discussion ]

 

I've never heard of a Bluetooth webcam.

 

Which model MacBook Pro and Mac Mini do you have? You could get a Thunderbolt dock and do a little stealthy cable management. Then you'll just have the one cable to connect.

 

The other option would be a KVM switch that includes USB ports. Then just the MacBook side would need a Thunderbolt dock, all the other cables could be hidden, and you'd keep all your peripherals. That solution may be out of your price range though.

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10 minutes ago, mCode said:

Hi guys,

 

I'm currently dealing with a lot of cables and it feels annoying / unecessary. I wish I could get rid of my docking station.

 

Situation

- Mac Mini | For personal use only

- Macbook Pro | For work use only

- Docking station to connect both HDMI cables and webcam. I could probably buy a bluetooth webcam?

 

Budget

I'm willing to spend €100 to get rid of this problem (Netherlands). 

 

Preffered solution

I want to create a solution where I only need one HDMI cable and easily swap between my MBP & Mac Mini. I was also thinking of using my phone as a webcam and get a phone mount instead.

Unfortunately, you probably have the best possible solution already. Wireless (they still need dongles) webcam are expensive.

What actually is your current docking station? Because you'd be better off buying (known good quality) extension cables - USB-C/Thunderbolt - and just hiding the dock, say on the back of your screen.

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The best idea I have is if you find a monitor that basically has docking station / hub built in. If one exists that fit the needs.

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Dock will be the best solution. Though assuming webcam is the only thing you are switching, having monitor with Thunderbolt and USB for inputs would solve most problems. Or you could get another webcam. They are rather cheap if only thing you need is basic video feed for video conferencing. I paid €20 for Logitech C920.

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On 4/18/2025 at 2:46 AM, mCode said:

Hi guys,

 

I'm currently dealing with a lot of cables and it feels annoying / unecessary. I wish I could get rid of my docking station.

 

Situation

- Mac Mini | For personal use only

- Macbook Pro | For work use only

- Docking station to connect both HDMI cables and webcam. I could probably buy a bluetooth webcam?

 

Budget

I'm willing to spend €100 to get rid of this problem (Netherlands). 

 

Preffered solution

I want to create a solution where I only need one HDMI cable and easily swap between my MBP & Mac Mini. I was also thinking of using my phone as a webcam and get a phone mount instead.

You can also go the KVM switch route. Leave everything permanently connected, just switch using a button.

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Honestly, you've got the best setup already. Best bet is what everyone else said, mount it to the back of the monitor using VHB tape or under the desk if you have a pretty low profile dock like I do for my work setup. If you cable manage it well you'll never see it again. 

 

I know Dell makes a pretty slim thunderbolt dock, you can pick em up cheap on eBay. Can't remember the model number off the top of my head and I have mine mounted with the sticker covered.

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