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Well, since it's taking so long for both Asus and 3rd parties to come with accessories for the transformer, I decided to take advantage of some foamcore scraps I had, and made me a "dock" for videochat, video watching and gaming. I say it's a "dock" because it is simply a bunch of foamcore boards, paper and glue (I'll probably seal it, sandpaper it, and paint it)
Right now, it's very handy, for using the tablet without having to hold it. It's angled, at a very confty angle, and doesn't get in the way (the keyboard dock, while awesome, gets in the way)
I had the images in my Dropbox gallery, but had to attach them because I'm a new user though a long time lurker. The good thing about putting them in the dropbox would be that I could add and update the pics at any time, without having to come back to the post, and edit it. Oh, and the picstures would be clearer, since I'm taking them with a 12 MPixel cam. Well, at least it keeps linkspam out of XDA
I must admit I am thinking of making my own dock via the use of a decorative plate stand (you know the ones, fold open to 90 degrees, have a lip at the bottom)
Like this one
Pretty cool idea there, but I have a question.. You can find your apps on that home screen?? It's crazy!
ericcarboni said:
Pretty cool idea there, but I have a question.. You can find your apps on that home screen?? It's crazy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I can, but I agree that it's not for everybody. What I do, is having the apps grouped spacially. 90% of the apps I use are on that screen. I really don't like going to the app drawer
you can always use a "folder type" system like smart shortcuts so u can categorize apps into "folders".
The plate idea is cool but ya might want to check out the arkon stand. same concept but its collapsible.
http://www.amazon.com/IPAD-ST-Unive...2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312309239&sr=1-2
I use one of these at work (we have plenty in the supply closet):
I just put it on there upside down and let the screen rotate 180 degrees so I can plug in the charger up top. I can also put books of various sizes on the back end, to adjust screen angles.
@carrrnuttt - lol, thats brilliant
(..although i'd add some nice felt between the 'stand' and TF)
In case anyone was wandering (as i was) - this is a Black Mesh Business Card Holder - so you can pretend that is what you'll use it for
stujuk said:
I must admit I am thinking of making my own dock via the use of a decorative plate stand (you know the ones, fold open to 90 degrees, have a lip at the bottom)
Like this one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this, the only issue i have with it is it does not lean back enough.
Why not just buy a cheap leather folio case for the transformer for $10 from ebay, they all have the ability to stand the TF up at an angle for video viewing/video chat etc
such as this one
brett_day said:
Why not just buy a cheap leather folio case for the transformer for $10 from ebay, they all have the ability to stand the TF up at an angle for video viewing/video chat etc
such as this one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got one of those and I have to say it's not very good when you've got the Transformer oriented the normal way (camera at the top) because the flap that covers the bottom (Dock connector) doesn't hold well so the tablet slides down quite a bit. Great as a standard case for holding, and having with the camera at the bottom, but not so great with you have it stood with the camera at the top.
ant_thomas said:
I've got one of those and I have to say it's not very good when you've got the Transformer oriented the normal way (camera at the top) because the flap that covers the bottom (Dock connector) doesn't hold well so the tablet slides down quite a bit. Great as a standard case for holding, and having with the camera at the bottom, but not so great with you have it stood with the camera at the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this case and it works perfectly. Super snug fit, no slippage, anyway, just thought i would throw that out there. I am happy with mine.
Found a way to charge mine while it is the right way around in my home made dock too.
The case hooks onto the edge of the dock leaving enough gap to plug in the charger
The plastic dock is from my GFs laptop, supposed to be a stand for that, and the thing I bent into a pyramid is a leather place mat
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brett_day said:
I have this case and it works perfectly. Super snug fit, no slippage, anyway, just thought i would throw that out there. I am happy with mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe mine was an early model and wasn't designed too well.
I got myself a prime last week, promptly ordered a keyboard because nobody had one in stock and I didn't feel like paying a $70 dollar premium on amazon to get it in the future anyway, and received the dock yesterday.
Electrically, the dock seems fine - all of the keys work, it charged normally, it's discharging normally, etc. - but it appears to have a physical deformity at the front of the unit. I took a picture of the unit to demonstrate... unfortunately, as some of you are no doubt aware, taking close-focus pictures of smallish things with an android camera is a little tough. Still, see attached image for the illustration. Note the gap between the rubber stopper and the fact that you can see the palm rest surface despite looking at the tray head on.
The question is, of course, "is this normal?" Does anyone else have a warped dock? It seems like the trackpad buttons don't quite click as easily as I think they should, but I don't have anything to compare it to. None of the local Best Buy stores have a dock on display, either.
[edit]I started this thread in the wrong forum and moved it here, then forgot to attach the file. Here's a link to an imgur-hosted copy:
http://i.imgur.com/Bn0la.jpg
nurrwick said:
I got myself a prime last week, promptly ordered a keyboard because nobody had one in stock and I didn't feel like paying a $70 dollar premium on amazon to get it in the future anyway, and received the dock yesterday.
Electrically, the dock seems fine - all of the keys work, it charged normally, it's discharging normally, etc. - but it appears to have a physical deformity at the front of the unit. I took a picture of the unit to demonstrate... unfortunately, as some of you are no doubt aware, taking close-focus pictures of smallish things with an android camera is a little tough. Still, see attached image for the illustration. Note the gap between the rubber stopper and the fact that you can see the palm rest surface despite looking at the tray head on.
The question is, of course, "is this normal?" Does anyone else have a warped dock? It seems like the trackpad buttons don't quite click as easily as I think they should, but I don't have anything to compare it to. None of the local Best Buy stores have a dock on display, either.
[edit]I started this thread in the wrong forum and moved it here, then forgot to attach the file. Here's a link to an imgur-hosted copy:
http://i.imgur.com/Bn0la.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When mine is closed, the lid touches the rubber bumper on the keyboard which is what I would expect. Yours doesn't seem to close properly.
Thanks - that's what I suspected. It contacts the two rubber pads on the sides, so this poor thing is the victim of a god-knows-what. The box was completely undamaged so I guess someone sat on it at the factory.
Obviously anyone else that wants to weigh in is welcome to do so - on this topic, anyway, I don't recommend actually weighing in on the keyboard dock because I guess it will bend.
Yep, looks bent, as if it was laying on a soft rocking chair, couch or something undocked and someone sat on it. You could take your knee to the back of it with a hand on each side and try to bend it back You may end up with a creased unit afterward though... I'd send it back as a return and try to find one somewhere else.
My keyboard dock also came with a slight bend to it (from a UK Grey BC0KAS batch). I didn't notice it at first, but when I put the keyboard on a flat surface when closed, it wobbled. Towards the back the centre of the metal was coming into contact with the table, so the rubber feet were slightly raised.
I was able to gently apply pressure, using a soft cloth, to the metal around this area and correct this so it's not really noticeable now.
Also, when the tablet is docked, and closed, there is a slightly larger gap on the right side between the screen and keyboard than the left. It makes contact with all 3 rubber pads, but it's definitely there.
I'm still contemplating returning the whole lot to Comet, as I have 3 stuck pixels, and have been experiencing poor WiFi and some crashes.
Quality control definitely could have been better here.
SO! I went to another Best Buy that actually had docks in stock, did an exchange, and the second dock is bent as well. That said, the buttons on the trackpad actually click easily on this unit, so I think I'm going to keep it especially given how difficult it is to find anything with a TF-201 in its model number in stock.
It'd be interesting to see how many docks have warping or if it's supposed to be there. I guess it could be Asus' way of giving us space to fit our fingers in to open the unit...
Turns out mine was slightly bent too. I never would have noticed had it not been for this thread... Lol, anyway...mine was bent slightly in the middle. The middle rubber stopper didn't touch when cosed. It is really, really easy to bend this though...i just put pressure in the middle from behind and pushed slightly and the gap has disappeared.
I don't have the dock yet but this will be on my new dock QC checklist when I do get one. I'm not planning on getting one for a while so hopefully stuff like this will be ironed out by Asus and stocking levels are better. I'm thinking August (my birthday).
Hey guys,
just thought i would be completely happy with my tfp but then i noticed the following:
my keyboard dock sort of "opens itself" at the back when i close and open it while the tablet is docked in. i only can fix it by press it together until next time i move the tablet.
i am pretty pretty sure that wasn't the case when i closed it last night...
the dock still works perfectly but there is this "cracking" noise each time i press on the "open" edges
any suggestions? i don't want to send it back because the tablet finally works...
Thanks!
Here you can see the problem:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg7/scaled.php?server=7&filename=img20120207150812.jpg&res=iphone
Edit: maybe it has to do with the temperature. Actually its really very cold here in Germany. Because of that you have to heat a lot during the day. At night it becomes cold again around my working spot. After using the dock for a couple of hours now, it seems to get better.
Having the same issue with mine.
okay, then it's probably not the temperature...
i am pretty sure i could fix it by myself but i dont own the right screwdriver. anyone here who knows where i can buy one?
I'm going to keep an eye out for this, thanks for the heads-up. Honestly, if this starts happening to mine then I'm returning the whole thing and getting an ultrabook.
Definitely does not happen on mine, maybe it is temperature related or maybe a manufacturing glitch. I don't see why you'd have to return the whole tablet just to replace the dock.
i don't know if my retailer takes back just the dock...
NeoteriX said:
Definitely does not happen on mine, maybe it is temperature related or maybe a manufacturing glitch. I don't see why you'd have to return the whole tablet just to replace the dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In some international markets, the Prime was only sold in a bundle with a dock. So, it's entirely possible that only the bundle can be returned/replaced...
That's the case in Germany. 32GB bundle or 64GB tablet only.
Same issue here. It happens if you grab the tablet by the dock like you would a notebook (one hand, left front corner). The weight of the tablet is just too much for the dock's structural integrety (I LOVE StarTrek TechTalk ;-) ) so it cracks open at the opposite corner.
Since I didn't want to pry it open and refix it I just applied two stripes of Tesa to each side at the back of the dock to prevent it from opening. Works like a charm and if you take transparent stripes it's almost invisible.
oneandonlyetet said:
okay, then it's probably not the temperature...
i am pretty sure i could fix it by myself but i dont own the right screwdriver. anyone here who knows where i can buy one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has a Torx T5 bit in it. I just tested it on my Prime and it fits perfectly.
If that doesn't work for you in Germany (it's the US Amazon) just google "Teeny Turner" and see what you can find.
I can get them for about $3 US at Microcenter, but they don't show up in their online catalog.
PM me if you can't find one for under $10 US and we'll work something out.
Kashban said:
Same issue here. It happens if you grab the tablet by the dock like you would a notebook (one hand, left front corner). The weight of the tablet is just too much for the dock's structural integrety (I LOVE StarTrek TechTalk ;-) ) so it cracks open at the opposite corner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe they actually mention it in the manual that to pick up the tablet with attached dock you should grab it near the place where it docks instead of the tablet alone. They don't especially mention lifting it from the corners of the dock, but the same thing basically applies. The tablet is quite heavy and keyboard dock is very slim, so it is a good idea to lift the device by holding the tablet and the dock at the same time or holding near the place where the devices are docked.
wynand32 said:
In some international markets, the Prime was only sold in a bundle with a dock. So, it's entirely possible that only the bundle can be returned/replaced...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct, my keyboard did not work at all while the tablet itself was perfect and I had to return both even as I feared that the replacement tablet will be worse. And it is worse thanks to some light bleed, but it wasn't too bad.
wynand32 said:
In some international markets, the Prime was only sold in a bundle with a dock. So, it's entirely possible that only the bundle can be returned/replaced...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the correction --
phoned asus today and they said it would be okay to send in the dock without the tablet.
it not only opens when i grab it at the corner, but it also does that when i open the tablet like a notebook...
thanks to col.kernel btw
oneandonlyetet said:
phoned asus today and they said it would be okay to send in the dock without the tablet.
it not only opens when i grab it at the corner, but it also does that when i open the tablet like a notebook...
thanks to col.kernel btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to be of service.
oneandonlyetet said:
okay, then it's probably not the temperature...
i am pretty sure i could fix it by myself but i dont own the right screwdriver. anyone here who knows where i can buy one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am pretty sure it is the screws that hold the hinge have come loose and everytime pressure is added to either side trying to close the hinge it is causing the hinge inside the dock to twist and separate the the dock. I have seen it on laptops many times. Opening it up and tightening the screws usually fixes it.
Yatyas said:
I am pretty sure it is the screws that hold the hinge have come loose and everytime pressure is added to either side trying to close the hinge it is causing the hinge inside the dock to twist and separate the the dock. I have seen it on laptops many times. Opening it up and tightening the screws usually fixes it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I know why my dock feels stretched out! It's probably also because I used a skinomi skin! I hope it's just loose screws and not the foamy stuff that prevents scratching...
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
oneandonlyetet said:
phoned asus today and they said it would be okay to send in the dock without the tablet.
it not only opens when i grab it at the corner, but it also does that when i open the tablet like a notebook...
thanks to col.kernel btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So did mine.
finally i decided to return it for a refund. bought a notebook instead... and it's working!
Hi all,
Today I suddenly noticed a click sound when putting my keyboard on the side and I found out that the case on the side of the hinge would come apart with little force.
It is easily replicated when you push the hinge push the hinge to the bottom and while holding the back case.
The problem is shown on the video below,
http://youtu.be/XS9zTEvvbzk
now, is it normal ? it seems like there are no screws holding that part together so it seems like it is bound to happen!
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For the Fix
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Just curious, how long have you had the dock? And how often do you connect and disconnect the prime from the dock?
My guess (and it's just a guess) is that the chassis on the edge uses snaps to keep the plate seams together. If this is true then it could be that something caused the snaps to break.
From what you're showing in the video, it definitely does not seem normal to me. I'm really hesitant to reproduce the issue with my own dock, so hopefully someone else in the forums whose had experience opening up the keyboard will provide some insight. In the meantime, if I were you, I would avoid any actions that would forcefully pry apart the chassis edge like that; it could aggravate the problem.
like i said, I barely need to use any force at all, just a a very small push.
I also figure out that the position of the hinge makes a difference as well.
If the hinge is in the "closed" position (imagine tablet docked with screen closed), it will not snap open.
it's when the hinge is opened up, the problem appears.
oO_SwooP_Oo said:
My guess (and it's just a guess) is that the chassis on the edge uses snaps to keep the plate seams together. If this is true then it could be that something caused the snaps to break.
From what you're showing in the video, it definitely does not seem normal to me. I'm really hesitant to reproduce the issue with my own dock, so hopefully someone else in the forums whose had experience opening up the keyboard will provide some insight. In the meantime, if I were you, I would avoid any actions that would forcefully pry apart the chassis edge like that; it could aggravate the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone ?
just a yes or no so I can try to return it !
babadudu said:
Anyone ?
just a yes or no so I can try to return it !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two weeks ago I started having this same problem. The slightest pressure pops it right back together. I don't know that I'll bother to return it. I would assume there is a good chance they all do, and that it may have something to do with the way we insert it and remove it from the dock.
I just noticed this problem the other day. It does it about half way when opening or closing. Kinda like the pins of the hinge push it open just a little.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium HD app
looks like it's not just me then, i am baffled that they didn't design screws to keep it together......
I have the same issues. The dock is generally just not well made. the back panel is too flexible, it pops open at the edges, and Ive noticed the hinges have gotten looser, and have a dead spot now, where the tablet can flap back and forth, similar to most laptops.
Same problem here. Just went to the shop on saturday and they sent it to Asus. Don't know yet, what happens.
Bought the prime about 10 weeks ago, so they don't want to exchange it without sending in here in Germany. I just wish there'd be ASUS-stores like Apple stores, where this would have been handled more easily...
As someone who has taken their dock apart to see what makes it tick i know there are several hidden screws inside the dock part of the keyboard (under a black sticker, hard to see or find if your not looking) that help hold the hinge together. i found my screen protector was adding pressure on the dock and removed some of the material so everything fit better tho after doing what i did i dont really recommend it to others.
I too am rather unimpressed with the construction of the dock however im not going to worry too much about it, if it gets too flimsy for my liking ill just take it apart again and tighten things up again.
I had this once but i just pressed it toghether slightly and it never happened again.
Pileot could you make a small video or take pictures of the screws you did tighten to make it better?
This just happened to me last night and I'm very deeply saddened.
I take the tablet out of the dock about once every two days, Max. I've had the dock for 12 days now. C1OKA to start the S/N. Amethyst. Bought it from Amazon 3/2.
No screen protector, no added weight. I noticed it happened when I grabbed the dock with the tablet open by the Asus sticker on the keyboard, with my hands on both side of the touchpad.
Entire backend popped open, both hinges, and alongside the bacl under the tablet slide.
Im going to see if Amazon will take it back and exchange otherwise Asus will get my backend fixed.
Any ideas to those of you who have opened it that will keep it in place? i don't want to put tape on it. But i understand the weight of the tablet in the dock fully extended changes the center of gravity putting more pressure on the bottom of the dock and if it only has tabs that is the reason it is popping open.
No breaks cracks scratches damage of any kind.
I too have a clicking dock.
Got the same problem with mine. It's only a month old and it seems to be the way I hold it whilst docked. I tend to hold it one handed by the black sticker whilst opening it with my left hand. Gonna send it to asus for a repair as it seems the catch as snapped. ANOTHER desgin floor.
Is there not a screw underneath the rubber ?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
My docking station was also having this issue. THere's screws under the rubber feet of the dock. I had to tighten both screws near the hinge down and that resolved the hinge splitting. Who knows if it'll happen again, but it's a pretty simple fix.
Hi,
No issues with the dock whatsoever, however I did notice that at a 45degree angle the prime just closes by itself. Not sure if it was like that from the beginning but it seems like opening and closing does loosen the hinges hold a bit.
Anyone experienced this?
Hinge FIX
I meant to write this a few weeks ago.
So I have a C3 keyboard....My C1 from Amazon worked great for 13 days...then it "popped" at the hinge and i was like...oh ****...
In the pictures you can see where it pops and the hinge came apart.
What I found was the little old chinese lady who put these together on that specific day must have had a serious case of Arthritis....when i examined underneath the rubber feet, both screws on both sides were completely unscrewed. I got the right sized 6 star driver, popped the hinge back together (especially underneath the hinge-release area in the middle of the keyboard), and screwed them in but didn't overtighten. I checked to make sure the dock wouldn't pop out again by placing tablet in and holding it on both sides of the trackpad and it didn't pop open. Voila! Put a dollup of rubber cement on pads, stuck them back on, and let it dry. Happy again! I hope this works for you guys.
edit: screws are Phillips head, not 6 star. opened rest of dock with 6 star (not necessary for this fix); sorry for confusion. PS super glue works well too if no rubber cement
Your images are dead.
And they're back.
Perfect, thank's a lot. I had the same problem, and your solution worked 100% for me as well.
Since a few months I own a prime, and in general I'm not very satisfied. Wifi, GPS and overall speed problems are the cause.
But now I found out that the dock touchpad is damaging the screen of the pad. I noticed because my screenprotector was damaged precisely where it touches the touchpad when the ensemble is closed. I thought this was because my screenprotector was too thick, so I ignored this.
But just some days ago I removed the screenprotector, and now there are some tiny marks on the screen exactly where it touches the touchpad. After close inspection I found out that the 'upper' part of the touchpad and the ridge above it (between the touchpad and the space key) are sticking out slightly, touching the screen. So whenever I close the ensemble, the touchpad and ridge will be touching the screen, thereby damaging it.
I'm curious if more user have this problem.
Should I RMA?
Also, I bought the transformer in Malaysia, but I live in the Netherlands, so I won't be able to return it to the retailer.
It is a design problem and all units are affected by this. I added stoppers to my unit so this would not happen, if you plan to rma, do so before the scratching damage causes the glass to crack completely.
heres a photo of my 'workaround'
Regardless of where you brought it, raise the problem with asus locally. and to be more precise, its the lower keyboard lip scratching your screen.
qwertylesh said:
Regardless of where you brought it, raise the problem with asus locally. and to be more precise, its the lower keyboard lip scratching your screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found out that the exact same thing is happening with the 'upper keyboard lip'. So the screen is damaged on the bottom as well.
I looked at it closer, and it's not just the screen that's being damaged by the 'keyboard lips'. The touchpad on the dock itself also appears scratched. Probably some hard dust got stuck between the screen and the touchpad.
Wow, this really makes me angry. When I get back home next week I'm not getting off the phone with Asus before they promise to change my TF for an Infinity (not very realistic I know but worth a try).
Yeah I have too had screen scratches from dirt on the upper lip area and it made me pretty angry that they designed the rubber stoppers to be so ridiculously pointlessly thin.
I just purchased a second Dock today actually, same thing happens with it (I closed it once) so I wont be using that dock as a spare until I add extra stoppers to it either.
Adding stoppers should help prevent the glass from scratching from dirt but it's still a good idea just to ensure the upper part of your dock is clean when you close it.
I've had the exact same issue with the dock damaging the screen protector.
qwertylesh's stoppers idea sounds great and I am considering implementing it myself
But for now I am using a type of screen protector I got off Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MDTURG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
Does the job of protecting the screen, however the Prime and the dock do not feel very flush when closed.
I have done the same mod for my spare dock now, it works great, there's a similar stopper mod form all the corners but I find two on the glass is fine
DaLongTjeu said:
I found out that the exact same thing is happening with the 'upper keyboard lip'. So the screen is damaged on the bottom as well.
I looked at it closer, and it's not just the screen that's being damaged by the 'keyboard lips'. The touchpad on the dock itself also appears scratched. Probably some hard dust got stuck between the screen and the touchpad.
Wow, this really makes me angry. When I get back home next week I'm not getting off the phone with Asus before they promise to change my TF for an Infinity (not very realistic I know but worth a try).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not seen this happening - perhaps because I'm using a portfolio sort of case that by it's nature provides a similar sort of buffer between the screen and the dock.
My question though is why you would expect an Infinity to be any different? I haven't had the opportunity to actually examine one up close but from the pictures, both the front of the device and the dock look nearly identical to the Prime. So wouldn't you expect to have the same problem with the Infinity?
ratman6161 said:
I have not seen this happening - perhaps because I'm using a portfolio sort of case that by it's nature provides a similar sort of buffer between the screen and the dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That also crossed my mind, but how easy and fast is it to disconnect the screen from the dock? Do you have to take it out of the portfolio case or can you leave it in?
ratman6161 said:
My question though is why you would expect an Infinity to be any different? I haven't had the opportunity to actually examine one up close but from the pictures, both the front of the device and the dock look nearly identical to the Prime. So wouldn't you expect to have the same problem with the Infinity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't expect it to be different. Or maybe I do, if this damaging of the screen issue is something many people complained about. Perhaps they use slightly higher stoppers on the dock that comes with the Infinity? But you're probable right, the dock is most likely exactly the same.
Still I would exchange my TF for an Infinity without thinking, just because the other issues with the TF (Wifi, gps, performance) drive me insane! Or better still, get a refund and spend my hard earned money on something that's actually worth it. Of course, a refund will only happen in my dreams...
they (TF700) use the exact same stoppers and have the same issue.
was also getting the scratches. quick fix for me is just putting a screen cleaner wipe in between the Prime and the dock. i do intend to do a similar mod to Qwertylesh soon.
I did this^ for quite some time, I had a thinner one then what came with my TF201 that I used.
Word of caution, if you have the silver tablet, dont use a cloth that is a darker or notable color, it can (oddly enough) discolour the touchpad eventually.
My silver touchpad has some dark staining, its no big deal (especially now that I have 2 docks), just want to let you know that i've done what your doing and it does work as a stopgap just dont use a black or dark cloth, stick to white/sliver microfiber if you can.