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This simple to install program is designed to make PC's feel like a Mac

This simple to install program is designed to make PC's feel like a Mac

Vote: (383 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Punk Labs

Version: 1.3.5

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(383 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Punk Labs

1.3.5

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Customizable
  • Lightweight
  • Launches applications fast

Cons

  • May interfere with Start bar
  • DLC was removed by developer

RocketDock is an application launcher tool that sits on the bottom of your Windows desktop and acts almost like the docks seen in other operating systems. The app can show live updates of all your minimized windows and even show live thumbnails on the taskbar.

The basic skin makes RocketDock look like it has the Aqua interface from Apple's OS X platform. It works perfectly with a number of other Macintosh-themed Windows desktop conversion sits, so if you've always wanted to make your PC truly look like something from Cupertino this is your chance. Users can import skins from other dock programs.

While RocketDock might interfere with the bottom placement of your taskbar, all you have to do is move it to the top of your screen to truly get the feel of working with a Macintosh. This also helps to keep the Start Menu out of the way when it comes time to work with an application that keeps all of its options down in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.

Power users might want to go through and disable some of the features that Windows' built-in taskbar provides, since RocketDock is much better at icon management than traditional tools. Having too many icons on a desktop tends to slow things down and even makes it harder to find important files, so users can clean things up by adding icons directly to RocketDock instead.

You might want to make some application shortcuts and then drag them over to your dock. This can make it easier to start programs, especially if you often find yourself creating lots of shortcuts or links elsewhere anyway. Those who need to drastically reduce their reliance on the desktop space as a whole will certainly want to look into this option.

While some people might say that the UI elements are dated, that's because RocketDock is actively trying to use the Aqua elements that premiered in the Mac OS X Public Beta. If you're a fan of this look, then you're going to really fall in love with the way that RocketDock presents itself. At the same time, those who don't should be able to change anything that they don't particularly care for.

On the other hand, some people may end up feeling nostalgic for this design since it was used on computers in the education market for years. Those who don't want to restrict themselves to the basic elements should find that plug-ins designed for the Docklet API system should work extremely well anyway.

If you find ObjectDock tools that are designed for the Stardock platform, then RocketDock should support them. While this might seem like a great deal of jargon that doesn't really mean anything to most users, it means that you're free to incorporate small tools from other platforms directly into the RocketDock bar. There are a large number of these available on the web, which makes the app that much more useful.

Those who'd like to have a weather widget or a small calculator down in the bar will find that these are great to have on hand. You can completely customize each of the app's individual assets, so you might end up mapping apps you already have on your PC to different icons without ever having to download anything special.

Even though RocketDock won't serve as a replacement for everything that the taskbar does, it should be able to do most of them much better than Windows ever could. In some cases, the app might even be lighter weight than the default tools in newer versions of the operating system. That's great news for anyone who wants to customize an underpowered netbook or other low-end system. You won't have to sacrifice features for performance when working with the RocketDock platform.

It might take some getting used to for those who haven't used an OS that features a dock before, but a little time spent learning to master RocketDock can potentially save a great deal of time working with your PC later on.

Pros

  • Customizable
  • Lightweight
  • Launches applications fast

Cons

  • May interfere with Start bar
  • DLC was removed by developer