Customer Reviews

Sherpaq Oyster Laptop Docking Station

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I love this thing! At first I thought this was a cool in concept but as it turns out, function exceeds form. I'm a complete slob and the Oyster goes a long way to cleaning up my desk and organizing a scramble of cables. It also puts my screen at eye-level. Duh!

It takes some effort to get set up but it's much easier than assembling anything from IKEA. Frankly speaking, it works like a charm and exceeded my expectations. Well worth it in my estimation and I'm getting one for work.

Pros:

-looks great
-solid construction
-easy to use
-puts screen at eye-level

Cons:
-no drive access when laptop is docked

This is a high quality, sleek looking, usable and well-thought out product. This is not some flimsy stand that won't support your laptop. After much searching, this was the only thing I even considered ordering, and I was glad that I did.

Worried if your laptop will fit? So was I, especially since I have one of the thickest laptops out there, the Dell Inspiron 5100 model which is considered the closest you can get to a workstation machine. It fits with rooms to spare, and the stand is so sturdy, that there's simply no way the weight of my laptop could tip it over.

I use a regular ergonomic keboard and mouse and keep my laptop stationed in the Oyster full time. The only time I remove it is to go on a business trip, and even then, all I have to do is pull out my cables from the laptop and close it up, too easy. Did I mention that it's easy to turn the entire stand from side to side with the laptop in it because of the swivel feature on the back?

It's refreshing to find a company that makes a quality and well-thought out product these days. I wish I'd thought of it. I am satisfied beyond belief.

I love my Oyster.
I use a laptop at work and when I get back to my desk I love the Oyster for the simplicity of connection. I had used the PC manufacturers' docking stations before and they do not work as well, since the connectors often break and you have to change docking station every time you upgrade your PC. And the Oyster's look is way cooler!
If you use Windows XP you can activate the dual screen feature, I have my email inbox on one monitor and the stuff I'm currently working on the second monitor. Great multi-tasking.
In summary, the Oyster has become completely part of my working habits and I can highly recommend it.

Okay the ONE poor review on this item complains that it is overpriced and plastic. Well it is both... but any slight overpicing is well worth it for the overall brilliance of design and amazing functionality. And the plastic is very nice! What else would it be made of? Metal would interfere with the 802.11 g connectivity. It's just a killer idea, this thing. I was all set to waste another $500 on yet another piece of obsolescent technology for my crowded desk... a flat screen monitor for my Fujitsu C series desktop replacement. Did tons of research and then stumbled on the Oyster. Not only did it save me 400 bucks but the screen is at an excellent height.. one that could not be achieved with most flat screen monitors! At that height I can lean back on the Aeron, and have my gaze and my hand position in the best possible ergonomic position (the one recommended by those HR drone types). When I've got to take my laptop on the road, I just slip it out and unplug a couple cables... the Oyster is all set up for my return and makes for an easy re-dock. This is not a true docking station, but it does have a bunch of USB 2.0 ports for a quick unhitch. And of course the Oyster is a beautiful piece of design... really clean and good looking on the desk. With the Oyster my faithful laptop attains the recognition and superstardom it deserves!

From the manufacturer's website:

If your laptop screen does not open far enough, adjustable legs can be screwed into the two threaded holes under the Oyster (never force your screen open). The adjustable legs will increase the degree of the angle needed to view your laptop screen. However, this correction may not be sufficient for all laptops.

Instructions: You will need a package of "rubber bumpers" and 2 hex bolts (also known as machine bolts) 1 ½ inches in length, diameter size #8, thread size 32. Place the rubber bumper over the head of the hex nut and screw into the threaded hole. The rubber bumpers rest on your desktop, providing the additional angle needed. These items are easily found in any hardware supply outlet.

I've had the Oyster for a while now, and love it. I saved money by not having to purchase a flat panel monitor as the Oyster elevates the laptop's screen to eye level. It also looks great and is easy to set up. Great idea!

I've got to echo what what everyone else is saying about this product: a simple, but effective alternative to expensive proprietary laptop docks and superfluous monitors.

Sadly, my Apple Powerbook (15.2" Aluminum) does not open wide enough, making me wonder as others have why Sherpaq didn't design the dock to allow the front height to be adjusted. In fact, the bottom of the dock appears to have two threaded holes just waiting for adjustable legs. Perhaps this Oyster accessory is coming soon?

Despite this flaw, I am in love with this product.

This is one of those products where you smack your forehead and ask, "Why didn't I think of that?" It's such a simple concept, and the implementation is elegant. I use my laptop as my office system and I have very little desktop real estate. Also, I prefer using a full size keyboard. Unfortunately, using a full size keyboard would mean pushing the laptop even further away, causing even more crouching and squinting to read the screen. The Oyster moves the screen up to normal monitor height where the screen is easier to see. Further, I can organize the cables so I no longer need to worry about them falling behind my desk. Having access to a full size keyboard makes my work easier, faster, and I have less eyestrain and neck pain.

**Question for Oyster owners - do you have any trouble w/ the Oyster damaging the keyboard on your laptop if you take the laptop out a lot?


As for the Powerbook problem of not opening wide enough and the threaded holes in the front of the Oyster, the manufacturer actually has a note on their website about this:

"If your laptop screen does not open far enough, adjustable legs can be screwed into the two threaded holes under the Oyster (never force your screen open). The adjustable legs will increase the degree of the angle needed to view your laptop screen. However, this correction may not be sufficient for all laptops.

"Instructions: You will need a package of "rubber bumpers" and 2 hex bolts (also known as machine bolts) 1 ½ inches in length, diameter size #8, thread size 32. Place the rubber bumper over the head of the hex nut and screw into the threaded hole. The rubber bumpers rest on your desktop, providing the additional angle needed. These items are easily found in any hardware supply outlet. "


Has anyone tried this? Did it work, or does the balance change too much and make the Oyster 'tippy?'

We love Oysterdock. We have one in the office and one in the conference room to preserve space on the table.