Desktop cable de-cluttering solutions roundup

If you are like me, you have tons of external Hard Drives and other devices such as card readers that create desktop cable clutter. In my case, I cannot stand the situation of loose cables lying around and i always spend up to half an hour per day re-sorting the order on my office desktop.

What are current options and solutions for de-cluttering the desktop from wires?

1. Henge Docks (for Apple MacBook Pro and Macbook owners)

Pro: saves lots of space

Con: you lose an external extra-screen. I am using the extra notebook screen for debug-logs or reading email, so that's a no-go for me with the Henge Dock.

While the Henge Dock saves you lots of space on the office desktop, you also lose "virtual" space since you cannot use the internal notebook screen as extended desktop. The Henge Dock is cheap though, so I can recommend it for people that don't care about the second virtual desktop.

It looks like if you have a SPECK case mounted on your MacBook Pro, you can not use the Henge Dock. Keep that in mind.

2. Bluelounge SpaceStation

Pro: really de-clutters the desktop. Second "virtual" desktop still usable.

Con: does not make much sense if you already own a Griffin iCurve Elevator, mStand, Notebook Riser or other Notebook Stand.

3. Blue Lounge Design CableDrop Cable Management System

I really like the idea of the small cable clips that are mounted on the table to sort different important cables and to make them instantly accessible. I just ordered eight of those clips (in different colors) to de-clutter my "cable salad".

Pro: keeps your cables in order and also helps protecting them (the problem of loose MacBook Power supply cables can be prevented)

Con: not so much de-cluttering as can be possible, since the cables are still visible (to some extent)

4. BlueLounge CableBox

Not really for desktop cable de-cluttering, this can hide your power strip (powerboard) and additionally protect it from accidental soda-spilling.

5. IKEA Signum Cable Management System

This solution from IKEA works for other non-Ikea tables as well. It not only helps you completely hide all the power strips, you can also hide other chargers back there. Works best together with the Blue Lounge Design CableDrop Cable Management System

6. DIY Home Robot Dog Cable Concentrator Box

The DIY Home Robot Dog Cable Concentrator Box is a funny piece of geek-humor in the shape of a wooden dog. It not only de-clutters, but also makes your desktop an eye-catcher.

7. DIY your own charging boxes!

The IKEA charging box is a very simple tutorial from instructables, so you can build a charging box for all your devices that need power (smartphones, iPod, iPad, iPhone, whatever)

unpluggd has more on that topic: Affordable Cord and Cable Guidance Solutions, which also covers DIY Cable Management Systems. Well worth a read!

If you created your own solutions or maybe have other hints on good de-cluttering pieces, let us know in the comments.