Docking manually is faster and not any more dangerous. The docking computer can get you stuck, fined, and KILLED so I never leave the room even if I did use it. In beta 2 I did like being able to come to a station, set auto docking, then afk for a few minutes but in smaller ships it's easy to dock. I'd use a docking computer maybe in a BIG ship that barely fits the letterbox but then it's too risky!
My main problem is with the new utilities update in beta 3 there's never enough internal compartments for a docking computer. I always put a shield cell on no matter what and cargo racks. If I SOMEHOW have an extra, it's usually a high class fuel scoop. I never have enough compartments for a docking computer. I think docking computer should be a separate compartment and make it optional if you want to use it or not. And it wouldn't hurt for better AI or better versions of the computer. If you want a less risky flying computer buy a more expensive one like an advanced docking computer if you're flying something you don't want to risk. Though I doubt Frontier would add an extra slot just because the docking computer is useless, and never enough space. Plus why add extra docking computers when you could just improve the standard?
I love the docking computer. Used it tons in beta because it's awesome to see my ship drive itself. The music always makes me laugh too. But sadly now that I'm flying an Asp I'm not risking it plus all my compartments are cargo racks. If I were to replace one of my 4 ton cargo racks it'd be for a shield cell battery... or a fuel scoop because Asp eats fuel for breakfast.
The docking computer is just a waste of a compartment... there's better options and it isn't even faster than manual docking. Maybe if there were separate locations like a backdoor that docking computer players go through so it's safe from npc and zooming by players that only docking computer players can use... then maybe. But the AI for it still needs improvement to make it worth it. Needs to be faster. I did notice a HUGE jump in speed from beta 1 to beta 2 with the docking computer.
I still think docking computers should be their own compartment and upgradeable. If you don't want to use it, turn it off as if it were your ship lights, orbit lines, etc. But that'd require more work than Frontier'll put out... but a commander ca dream, right?