MY STORY

I couldn't find a dock that felt right.

So I taught myself CAD, bought a 3D printer, and spent every spare hour designing something that actually worked.

Messy cables. Limited space. Docks that never felt quite right — or actually saved space. I knew there had to be a better way.

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SOLODock mounted beneath a desk with a MacBook

THE PROBLEM

A small annoyance. Every single day.

Every desk setup I tried left me disappointed. Stands took up space. Hubs were ugly. Nothing actually saved space or felt like it belonged there.

I just wanted my MacBook tucked away, connected, and out of sight — without the cable spaghetti. It seemed like such a simple thing. Turns out, it wasn't simple at all.

Early SOLODock prototypes, sketches and measuring tools on a desk
An early SOLODock prototype being printed on a 3D printer

THE BEGINNING

Self-taught. Stubborn. Slightly obsessed.

I had zero background in industrial design. I downloaded CAD software, watched hours of tutorials, and started sketching shapes that might work.

The first design took weeks. The first print took hours. And when I finally slid my MacBook into that very first prototype... it didn't fit. Not even close. The walls were too thick. The cable gap was in the wrong place. It wobbled.

But I was hooked. I could see the potential. I just had to keep going.

THE PROCESS

Print. Test. Fail. Repeat.

I printed dozens of versions. Tolerances were wrong. Cable paths interfered. Some cracked. Some wobbled. I'd start a print at 6am before work, come home, test it, mark up the flaws in red pen, and start again that same evening.

It was painful. But each failure taught me exactly what the next version needed. A fraction more clearance here. A steeper angle there. A smoother entry curve so the MacBook slid in without catching.

30+ prototypes printed
6mo to first ready to ship docks
∞ cups of coffee
An early SOLODock prototype being tested against a MacBook

THE TURNING POINT

Built by real people, for real desks.

I started sharing photos in MacBook communities. People asked questions. They pointed out edge cases I hadn't considered — different MacBook years, desk thicknesses, cable types, even monitor arm placement.

I redesigned the mount clip three times based on one person's feedback. This isn't a product designed in a boardroom. It was designed in the open, by people who actually use it.

What changed

MacBook models boast incredibly varied measurements, so each one undergoes meticulous hand-designing, modelling and testing to achieve perfect fitment. Currently, I’m shipping the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 and the Air 15-inch is arriving soon, with more models to follow.

What changed

SOLODock carefully mounts hidden seamless screws into the recess to prevent MacBook damage. Therefore, please only use the included screws. If you have any other requirements let me know. Most desks are suitable for use as long as they can be screwed into. For more hollow desks, you can use anchors but please use them at your own risk if the fixings aren’t secure.

What changed

I’m currently trailing and modelling ideas for navigating narrower desks or those with cross braces. Stay tuned and subscribe for future updates.

Protective liner tape being applied by hand to a SOLODock

WHO I AM

One person. Not a corporation.

Every dock is printed, finished, inspected, and packed by me. I apply the protective liner tape by hand. I answer the emails. I ship the orders.

There is no marketing team, no warehouse, no investor calls. Just me, a 3D printer, and a genuine desire to make something useful for people who care about their workspace.

If you email support, you get me. If something's wrong, I fix it. If you have an idea, I actually read it.

Hand-built by me

Each dock is printed, finished and inspected in small batches.

Small flaws, real character

Handmade marks or print lines are signs of a real object — not defects.

Built to reduce wear

Protective liner tape is hand-applied to reduce contact points.

Warranty & easy returns

I back every dock with a clear policy. If it's wrong, I'll make it right.

MATERIALS

I use PLA because it makes sense.

I print with plant-based PLA because it's rigid, dimensionally stable, and doesn't smell like a chemical factory. It's made from renewable corn starch — a better choice for your desk and the planet.

But I'm honest: it has limits. Don't leave it by a heat source. Don't soak it in solvents or cleaners. I also test PETG and other materials constantly. Every material has trade-offs, and I'll always tell you the truth about what you're buying. But for SOLODock this is currently the best.

±0.1mm tolerance
UK made
Extremely high strength to weight ratio
A spool of plant-based PLA filament used to make SOLODock

THE FUTURE

Still learning. Still improving.

I'm always testing new bio-based materials, tweaking tolerances, and exploring new dock ideas. There are sketches on my desk right now for accessories I haven't even announced yet.

If you have a suggestion — a feature, a material, a completely different product — I actually want to hear it. This brand is a conversation, not a billboard. Your feedback has already shaped SOLODock more than you know.

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New ideas regularly

I sketch new concepts every few week. Some make it. Most don't. That's the process.

Greener materials

I'm actively testing recycled and bio-based filaments that match PLA's rigidity.

Tighter tolerances

Every batch teaches me something. The fits keep getting better.

Community driven

The best features came from messages I didn't expect. Keep them coming.

FAQ

Honest answers, straight from the maker.

Can't find what you're looking for? The full FAQ and contact page are one click away.

Full FAQ Contact me
Will PLA hold up on my desk?

Yes. PLA is rigid and dimensionally stable for normal indoor desk use. Keep it away from sustained high heat, such as a hot car or direct contact with a heater.

Will PLA hold up on my desk?

Yes. PLA is rigid and dimensionally stable for normal indoor desk use. Keep it away from sustained high heat, such as a hot car or direct contact with a heater.

What if my dock arrives with a small mark?

Every dock is made in small batches and may show subtle print lines or hand-finished marks. These are cosmetic and do not affect how it works. If it arrives damaged or does not feel right, contact me.

Does the dock damage my MacBook?

The contact areas use carefully applied protective liner tape to reduce rubbing and wear. Keep both the dock and your MacBook clean and insert or remove it normally.

Is there a warranty?

Yes. Every SOLODock is backed by the 12 months warranty and 30 day returns policy. If something is wrong, get in touch and I will make it right.

Are you working on new materials?

Yes. I continually test recycled, bio-based and more heat-resistant materials, but I only release them when they meet the required fit, strength and finish.

How do I get in touch?

Use the Contact page or reply to your order email. You will hear directly from me.

Thanks for being here. It means more than you know.

SOLODock is one person's attempt to solve a small, annoying problem beautifully. If you decide to try it, I hope it makes your cluttered desk feel a little more like yours.

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