A while back we did a deep dive into the HiDock H1 docking station. Since then, I’ve been using it as part of my everyday desk setup, and it’s safe to say I’ve put this thing through its paces. Now that I’ve had almost half a year to really get to know it, I thought it would be cool to share my experience with you.
I’ve got a lot to say—some good, some not so good—so I’m breaking it down into six key points. First, I’ll cover the highlights, the things that really impressed me. Then, I’ll get into the areas where the HiDock H1 didn’t quite hit the mark. So, let’s jump in and start with the positives!
The audio recording, transcription, and AI summary feature is definitely the one I use the most, and it’s been a game-changer for taking notes during meetings. It’s super convenient to have a full record of the conversation, allowing me to revisit and double-check what was discussed. I can genuinely say that my meetings have become much more productive—I can focus on the discussion instead of scrambling to jot down notes. Sure, there are occasional hiccups with the AI mishearing or misunderstanding things, but it’s generally accurate enough to make sense of the conversation. Plus, with the audio recording, I always have the original data to refer back to if I need to make corrections.
HiDock recently rolled out a firmware update that significantly sped up upload times, which means I can review my notes almost immediately after a meeting. The portal now also lets you organize your conversations into separate folders, complete with tags generated from the discussion topics, like company names, people, or specific keywords. This is super handy if you’re in a lot of meetings and need to quickly sort and categorize your notes.
Another feature I really appreciate is the speaker and microphone combo. The noise reduction works great, especially at filtering out background noise from the other side. Whether it’s someone on a loud train or dealing with wind noise, the filter almost completely eliminates it. It’s not perfect, though (this noise reduction does make the speaker quieter), so you’ll need to crank up the volume a bit. But since the speaker is large and powerful, this isn’t really a problem.
Now, let’s talk about the downsides. I’ve been trying my best to get used to it but the little earpiece is still a letdown. Compared to the main speaker, it’s just too quiet, and the quality doesn’t hold up. Lately I’ve stopped using it entirely and stick to the loudspeaker for meetings. This works fine for me since I have a home office, but if you can’t always use the loudspeaker, this could be a deal-breaker. Personally, I prefer the freedom of minimal note-taking and using the loudspeaker, which makes conversations feel more natural and comfortable.
Another issue is that the dock might be overkill if you only need the speaker and AI features. It’s a significant investment, and if you don’t use the hub functionality, you might not be getting your money’s worth. For instance, I use a desktop PC, so I don’t really need the hub features, though others might find them more useful. Fortunately, the HiDock team has recently released a more affordable, lower-end version if you’re looking for something simpler – you can check it out here.
Finally, let’s address the subscription cost. While there are free features available, the real benefits lie in the PRO functionality, which continues to grow. However, if you’re a heavy user, you might find that your PRO minutes run out quickly, requiring you to be mindful of your usage. The cost isn’t excessive, but it can add up, especially if you like to keep extensive notes. That said, the time you save by not having to take notes manually—and occasionally not needing to follow up on certain things—might make it a worthwhile investment, depending on how you use it.
Despite a few shortcomings, the HiDock H1 has become an essential part of my setup, and I’m excited to see how it evolves with future updates. As they continue to innovate and improve, I’m looking forward to discovering new features that will enhance the experience even further. The potential of this product is impressive, and I’m eager to see what’s coming next.
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