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A Thunderbolt dock is now almost a must have accent, offering I/O entry for legacy mice, keyboards, exterior drives, and extra. It’s a key ingredient for a productive workplace, whether or not at work or dwelling.
Thunderbolt docks or docking stations assist fill the gaps as laptop computer makers slim down, reduce prices, and get rid of a number of ports in favor of a do-it-all Thunderbolt port as a substitute. That will appear to be they’re pushing these prices on to you (which they’re) nevertheless it additionally means you’ll be able to decide and select a dock with precisely the ports you want.
Why purchase a Thunderbolt dock? Due to the bandwidth it gives: 40Gbps, versus the 10Gbps a primary USB-C port affords. (You’ll see a small lightning bolt printed in your laptop computer, the cable, and the dock to indicate that they’re Thunderbolt succesful.) This affords sufficient bandwidth to attach as much as two 4K shows at a snug, normal 60Hz refresh price, plus all of the peripherals you want like a printer, mouse, keyboard, and storage. Good Thunderbolt docks also can cost your smartphone.
This roundup begins with the perfect Thunderbolt docks, together with finances choices. We’ll shut by recommending our greatest DisplayLink USB-C docks—easier, cheaper options which have lately emerged. Our greatest USB-C hubs and dongles are lined in a separate story. Confused? Don’t be. We’ll clarify the variations within the FAQ that follows our suggestions, clarifying the terminology that will help you perceive what to purchase and the way to avoid wasting cash, too.
Be aware that not each Thunderbolt dock we evaluation seems right here. Satechi’s Thunderbolt 4 Dock is our most up-to-date evaluation, nevertheless it didn’t make the reduce.
Finest Thunderbolt docks
Plugable TBT3-UDZ Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station – Finest general Thunderbolt dock
Professionals
- Tons of ports
- Area-saving vertical stand
Worth When Reviewed:
$369.00
Plugable’s TBT3-UDZ is just among the best Thunderbolt 3 docks we’ve examined, with a boatload of ports. It’s costly, nevertheless.
On the entrance, the TBT3-UDZ features a 10Gbps USB-C and a 10Gbps USB-A (USB 3.1) port, microSD and SD card slots, plus a headphone jack. On the rear, 5 USB-A (USB 3.0 ports) and gigabit ethernet complement a pair of DisplayPort 1.4 ports and HDMI 2.0 ports. (It’s all based mostly on Intel’s Titan Ridge chipset.) A 29-inch 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 cable connects the dock to your laptop computer, and is able to delivering 96W of energy. Naturally, this can be a powered dock, with a hefty 170W (!) charger.
Learn our full
Plugable TBT3-UDZ evaluation
IOGear Quantum Twin Mode Thunderbolt 3 Dock Professional (GTD737) – Finest finances Thunderbolt dock
Professionals
- Nice mixture of options
- Funds worth
- 60W of passthrough charging energy
Cons
- Two DisplayPort ports restrict show I/O choices
- Is perhaps tough to seek out in shops
Worth When Reviewed:
308.45
About the one knock in opposition to IOgear’s GTD737 is its use of two DisplayPort 1.2 ports on the rear of the dock, which function the one devoted show outputs. (We suspect HDMI is extra common.)
In any other case, this dock is great, offering virtually all of the options you’ll need at an inexpensive worth: a 10Gbps USB-A port on the entrance for 7.5W smartphone charging; on the rear, two 5Gbps USB-A ports for legacy mice and keyboards and two 10Gbps USB-C ports for additional enlargement. There’s additionally a gigabit ethernet port and a headphone jack. The two.3-foot Thunderbolt 3 cable provides 60W to your laptop computer by way of the related 135W energy brick. Efficiency particulars might be present in our evaluation.
Be aware that this dock is basically equivalent to the Kensington SD5500T (evaluation), which at press time was priced barely larger. Double-check our evaluation to verify.
Learn our full
IOGear Quantum Twin Mode Thunderbolt 3 Dock Professional (GTD737) evaluation
Plugable TBT3-UDC3 Thunderbolt Dock – Finest general Thunderbolt dock runner-up
Professionals
- A inexpensive model of the Plugable TBT3-UDZ
- Provides 96W of energy
Cons
- Simply two show ports, however an adapter dongle is included
Worth When Reviewed:
$269.99
Plugable’s TBT3-UDC3 is a smaller, less-expensive model of the TBT3-UDZ, with much less I/O flexibility however extra focus. The dock features a pair of USB-A 5Gbps ports on the entrance for a mouse and keyboard, after which a second USB-A (10Gbps) port on the again. A pair of two 10Gbps USB-C ports sit alongside it for additional enlargement. There’s gigabit ethernet, too. Neatly, Plugable contains one HDMI 2.0 port and a DisplayPort 1.4 port for show connections, plus an HDMI-to-DisplayPort dongle within the field in case you personal two HDMI shows.
Learn our full
Plugable TBT3-UDC3 Thunderbolt Dock evaluation
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core – Finest finances Thunderbolt dock runner-up
Professionals
- Compact
- HDMI 2.0 + DisplayPort 1.4 port covers two shows
Cons
- Unlabeled USB-A ports look equivalent
- Bus-powered
Worth When Reviewed:
$199.99
Belkin’s Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core is a neatly designed “powered” Thunderbolt 3 journey dock, and an affordable one as properly.
At a virtually sq. 5.2 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches, the Thunderbolt Dock Core black doesn’t take up a lot room, and the included 8-inch Thunderbolt 3 wire gives ample size for flexibility. Ports are adequately spaced across the flat, black plastic dice, with HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 ports offering a secure 4K/60Hz expertise to each of my 4K shows. There’s gigabit ethernet and a 3.5mm audio jack, however good luck telling the USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 Kind A ports aside—they’re not labeled.
Learn our full
Belkin Join Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core evaluation
HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 (4J0A2AA) – Finest Thunderbolt dock for enterprise
Professionals
- Ports aplenty, plus charging
- Stable efficiency
- No thermal considerations
Worth When Reviewed:
$369.00
This squat little Thunderbolt 4 dock feels much more strong than its rated 1.68 kilos would point out, and sprouts ports to all sides: a 10Gbps USB-C port able to 15W charging on the entrance, a 5Gbps USB-A port on both facet, plus two extra on the again, all able to 7.5W out. The again additionally homes two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, ethernet, and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port designed for video. We solely examined this dock with two 4K/60 exterior shows, nevertheless it’s able to driving three 4K/60 shows offered you might have a DisplayPort 1.4-capable laptop computer with Show Stream Compression, or DSC.
The 4J0A2AA provides as much as 100W to the host laptop computer by way of the Thunderbolt cable—nonetheless among the many highest we’ve seen. Even then, there have been no thermal points in any respect.
Learn our full
HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 (4J0A2AA) evaluation
Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station – Finest Thunderbolt 4 dock
Professionals
- Stable efficiency
- 96W (rated) of downstream laptop computer energy
- Fairly strong mixture of ports, together with downstream Thunderbolt 4
Cons
- One of the crucial costly docks we have examined
- Rear USB-A ports ship much less energy than anticipated
- One show port, requiring an extra dongle for 2 shows
Worth When Reviewed:
$399.99
The Kensington SD5780T replaces the Kensington SD5700T as our decide for the perfect premium Thunderbolt 4 docking station proper now, however the worth can also be extravagantly excessive. (Amazon knocked 15 p.c off the value on the time of our most up-to-date revision, although, reducing the value significantly.)
The SD5780T improves on its predecessor by including a devoted HDMI 2.1 port and extra laptop computer charging energy. The dock carried out excellently in our checks, although the exterior energy was a bit decrease in locations than we’d hoped. (It counts the place it issues, nevertheless, which incorporates charging a smartphone.)
Learn our full
Kensington Thunderbolt 4 Twin 4K Dock (SD5780T) evaluation
OWC Thunderbolt Dock Go – Finest Thunderbolt 4 dock, runner-up
Professionals
- Energy brick is hidden inside, eradicating muddle
- 90W to cost your laptop computer
- Provides a terrific 9.5W for smartphone charging
- HDMI 2.1 help
Cons
- Ethernet is glitchy, and requires a driver
- Cumbersome
- Costly
- Restricted built-in show choices
Worth When Reviewed:
$349.99
OWC’s Thunderbolt Dock Go has an instantaneous promoting level: Its energy brick is built-in, like a desktop PC, saving house in your bag. It’s nonetheless a bit large for a journey dock, although.
About the one considerations we had with this dock have been the preliminary glitchiness with the ethernet (now, apparently, solved) and the excessive worth, which can come down over time. That features the doable want for a show dongle (offered individually), which you’ll want to attach a second show. In any other case, it’s a strong effort from OWC. You’ll be able to learn extra about it in PCWorld’s personal evaluation of the OWC Thunderbolt Go in addition to on our sister website, TechAdvisor, which agrees.
Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt Hub (USB4-HUB3A) – Finest Thunderbolt 4 hub
Professionals
- Extremely compact
- USB-C to HDMI adapter included
- 15W/60W of charging energy to telephones/PCs
Cons
- Restricted ports
- Finest for Thunderbolt-attached shows
Worth When Reviewed:
$189
The Mac world tends to emphasise Thunderbolt-connected shows way over the Home windows world does, so this could be a distinct segment product for many of you. However this factor is tiny (4.75 x 2.88 x 0.5 inches) even when, sadly, the related energy brick isn’t. It should ship 15W of energy by way of the Thunderbolt/USB-C connections to cost smartphones, and 60W to the host PC.
We lacked a Thunderbolt-connected show on the time of testing. (We’ve one now, and may affirm it really works.) However the field does embrace a USB-C to HDMI adapter, so you’ll be able to definitely join one show natively out of the field, then connect a USB-C hub to attach one other.
Learn our full
Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt Hub (USB4-HUB3A) evaluation
Anker Apex 12-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock – Finest Thunderbolt dock for HDMI shows
Professionals
- Two HDMI ports
- An additional 40Gbps downstream Thunderbolt 4 port
- Energy button
Worth When Reviewed:
$299.99
The Apex Thunderbolt 4 Dock options one 40Gbps upstream TB4 port (that connects to the pc with the included Thunderbolt 4 cable) and one 40Gbps downstream TB4 port for different units, comparable to a quick SSD storage drive. The upstream Thunderbolt port can provide as much as 90W of energy to your laptop computer, whereas the downstream port can cost different units at 15W.
Anker’s inclusion of two HDMI ports means you don’t want any adapters to attach shows, offered you personal two with HDMI connections. In whole, the dock helps the 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W of energy), one other two USB-A ports (480Mbps, 4.5W), and a USB-C port (10Gbps, 20W) alongside gigabit ethernet, a UHS-II SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The dock is powered, with a 120W energy provide.
Actually, this can be a completely helpful Thunderbolt 4 docking station that challenges our top-ranked Thunderbolt docks. If the value is correct, think about it.
Learn our full
Anker Apex 12-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock evaluation
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus (CalDigit TS3 Plus) – Most versatile Thunderbolt dock for I/O
Professionals
- Ports, ports, ports
- Vertical orientation, no stand vital
Cons
- Solely a single DisplayPort port
Worth When Reviewed:
$249.99
CalDigit’s Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus is among the hottest Thunderbolt 3 docks accessible, and it’s straightforward to see why: a space-saving vertical orientation, 87W charging, gobs of obtainable ports, and even niceties like a S/PDIF optical connection and an exterior Thunderbolt jack for daisy-chaining units.
Port choice contains: two Thunderbolt 3 ports (one from the laptop computer, and one for an exterior connection), and a single DisplayPort 1.2 port. That’s ultimate for a single 4K show, however awkward for 2. The TS3 Plus contains one full-sized SD (SD 4.0 UHS-II) card reader, the S/PDIF port, gigabit ethernet, and two 3.5mm audio jacks—one in, one out. 5 USB Kind A ports are additionally included (all 5Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 1) and two USB-C ports (one 5Gbps port, and one 10Gbps port).
Learn our full
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus (CalDigit TS3 Plus) evaluation
CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4) – Finest for Apple Mac customers
Professionals
- Thunderbolt 4
- A whopping 18 ports
- 98W energy supply to your Mac
- 2.5 gigabit ethernet
- 230W energy provide
Cons
- Solely two downstream TB4 ports
- Dear
Worth When Reviewed:
$399.95
This advice comes courtesy of our colleagues at Macworld, who’ve compiled their very own listing of finest Thunderbolt docking stations for the Apple Mac market. “All of the ports you might need coupled with high-wattage charging justify the value of this full-featured dock,” and who’re we to argue? We will personally vouch for its progenitor, the TS3 Plus, which we ranked favorably amongst different Thunderbolt docks.
Whereas we now have but to evaluation the TS4 ourselves, a easy gander on the worth re-affirms our certainty that this can be a product for the Mac market.
Finest DisplayLink USB-C dock
DisplayLink USB-C docks, which we focus on in additional element in our separate article, don’t supply sufficient bandwidth for high-refresh price screens or gaming, however they work admirably properly for on a regular basis workplace work, together with watching motion pictures. Anecdotally, they’ve typically additionally been extra secure than a Thunderbolt dock on older {hardware}, as typically Thunderbolt docks have points “waking up” when the host laptop computer wakes up from standby.
What we’d prefer to see in a DisplayLink USB-C docking station is a function set that approaches a full-fledged Thunderbolt dock, however that’s priced beneath what you’d pay for Thunderbolt efficiency. Our present decide does simply that.
Plugable USB-C Twin 4K Show Horizontal Docking Station (UD-6950PDH)
Professionals
- Terrific worth for workplace staff
- Nice show flexibility
- Loads of USB-A ports
- SD/microSD card slots, too
- 100W of charging energy
Cons
- No USB-C ports
- No devoted charging ports
- DisplayLink doesn’t permit for full Thunderbolt bandwidth
Worth When Reviewed:
$199.00
Plugable’s UD-6950PDH doesn’t permit the bandwidth for the newest HDMI or DisplayPort interfaces. However the dock preserves what we like about Plugable’s docks: two pairs of optionally available DisplayPort and HDMI connections to select from, in addition to 100W of charging energy to your laptop computer. One omission, nevertheless, is a devoted charging port for powering a smartphone, or any USB-C port in any respect.
At about $199 MSRP, nevertheless, the value is completely proper. Simply don’t neglect your smartphone charger.
Learn our full
Plugable USB-C Twin 4K Show Horizontal Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) evaluation
FAQ
How do I do know if my laptop computer has Thunderbolt?
The quick reply: Have a look at the laptop computer’s printed specs to make certain. A Thunderbolt port might look indistinguishable from a USB-C port, since they each use the identical bodily USB-C connection. Put one other manner, all Thunderbolt ports are USB-C, however not all USB-C ports are Thunderbolt-equipped.
Thunderbolt ports are supposed to have a small lightning-bolt icon to establish them. However some laptop computer makers use an analogous lightning-bolt icon to point {that a} USB-C port can be utilized for charging your telephone, and not for Thunderbolt. Laptop computer makers typically don’t need to muddle the clear traces of their merchandise by including extra logos, it appears.
Including to the confusion, you may additionally see USB-C hubs marketed as “Thunderbolt appropriate.” That’s true. You’ll be able to plug a Thunderbolt dock right into a non-Thunderbolt, generic USB-C port. However it will likely be restricted by the accessible bandwidth that the port gives, so it’s considerably misleading in that regard.
Two laptops, each with USB-C ports, and each with lightning-bolt symbols. Which laptop computer affords Thunderbolt? The highest one, although it may be tough to inform. Consulting the producer’s specs is your most secure wager.
IDG
I already personal a USB-C dongle. Can I take advantage of it with Thunderbolt?
A USB-C dongle gained’t change a Thunderbolt dock, as there’s circuitry throughout the dock that permits it to work your laptop computer’s high-speed Thunderbolt port. Nonetheless, there’s nothing saying which you could’t join the dongle to an accessible USB-C port on the Thunderbolt dock itself so as to add much more ports.
That answer will add extra muddle to your desk, nevertheless it would possibly mean you can purchase a less expensive, finances dock, too. It’s as much as you!
How briskly is Thunderbolt?
40Gbps, mainly.
Most USB-C ports are constructed on the second-generation USB 3.1 data-transfer normal, which transfers knowledge at 10Gbps. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports, the most typical normal, switch knowledge at as much as 40Gbps. Thunderbolt 4 differs very barely in that it helps a theoretical most of 32Gbps for exterior storage units, however you in all probability gained’t discover the distinction.
There are very uncommon exceptions: A brand new USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 spec can pair two 10Gbps channels collectively, creating an combination 20Gbps hub. And whereas the overwhelming majority of Thunderbolt 3-equipped laptops are designed with 4 PCIe lanes for a complete of 40Gbps, some laptops solely ship with two PCIe lanes for a complete of 20Gbps. (A Dell help web page, for instance, particulars its four-lane and two-lane laptops.) Basically, a 20Gbps connection needs to be sufficient for a single 4K monitor working at 60Hz, with a bit of additional bandwidth for different knowledge transfers amongst related peripherals.
In the true world, issues are barely extra difficult. Basically, Intel’s Tenth-gen and Eleventh-gen Core chips launched within the early days of Thunderbolt, and firm representatives say which you could rely on them for 32Gbps of information, not a full 40 Gbps. Intel’s Twelfth-gen and Thirteenth-gen Core chips supply probably the most constant Thunderbolt expertise, with 40Mbps Thunderbolt 4 speeds, together with 32Gbps for knowledge transfers to and from storage units.
Our subsequent query describes the distinction between Thunderbolt 3, 4, and USB4.
What’s the distinction between Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4?
The quick reply: Not that a lot, and we think about Thunderbolt 3 docks and Thunderbolt 4 docks to be functionally equal for many customers. The longer reply, which we’ll describe beneath, is that there are variations, and parsing the nuances might be complicated. Consider Thunderbolt 4 because the extra restrictive model of Thunderbolt 3, with little room for any gotchas.
Basically, Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 permit as much as 40Gbps most bandwidth, sufficient for 2 4K/60 shows. “As much as” is the important thing phrase: Thunderbolt 3 is just required to help a 10Gbps connection, permitting for a single exterior 4K show (a 16Gbps PCIe connection, paired with USB 3.2). Most producers transcend this, nevertheless, and our beneficial docks help the complete specification (and two 4K shows) until famous. Thunderbolt 3 additionally helps a slower (16Gbps) PCIe connection for connecting to exterior storage.
Thunderbolt 3 can also be the one specification (not Thunderbolt 4) that we’ve seen connecting to exterior GPUs, in case you’d prefer to strive that strategy.
Thunderbolt 4 doesn’t permit for any leeway—you’re getting a full-fledged 40Gbps connection (32Gbps PCIe + USB 3.2), no questions requested. For exterior storage, Thunderbolt 4 helps 32Gbps of information switch—this actually solely issues for video, exterior GPU connections, or probably video games. Thunderbolt 4 helps “wake on sleep” from an exterior keyboard or mouse, which lets you faucet your exterior keyboard or wiggle your mouse to get up your PC, which is useful. Thunderbolt 4 permits for longer cables and extra Thunderbolt ports on laptops, too.
USB4 is basically a subset of Thunderbolt 4, primarily designed as an an I/O specification. You’ll most frequently see USB4 seem on AMD laptops, and Thunderbolt on Intel laptops.
USB4 can solely help one show, and producers can select whether or not it helps a 20Gbps connection or a 40Gbps connection, based on Thunderbolt dock designer Plugable. As a subset of Thunderbolt 4, a USB4 system will run simply nice plugged right into a Thunderbolt 4 port. However a Thunderbolt 4 system might not work as anticipated when plugged into what’s particularly a USB4 port. Don’t fear about this an excessive amount of, because it’s uncommon to see a USB4 hub. As an alternative, most hubs and docks are marketed as Thunderbolt 4, whereas most units (like an exterior SSD) are designed round USB4.
USB4 Model 2 is an upcoming normal that may propel USB4 to 80Gbps, which is the one 80Gbps normal but introduced. The primary merchandise will debut (as a guess) in early 2023.
Be aware that Thunderbolt 3 and 4 require no less than 15W to energy units plugged into the Thunderbolt port, comparable to a bus-powered laborious drive. USB4 requires simply half that.
System maker Anker has a pleasant abstract of all the technical options related to Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4, if you happen to actually need to get into the nice distinctions (beneath).
Thunderbolt dock and I/O hub designer Anker offered this abstract of the variations between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4.
Anker
What cable ought to I take advantage of with a Thunderbolt dock?
Just about each Thunderbolt dock will ship with its personal cable. We’d suggest that you just use Thunderbolt 3 cables with Thunderbolt 3 merchandise, and Thunderbolt 4 cables with Thunderbolt 4 merchandise.
What differentiates a DisplayLink USB-C docking station from a Thunderbolt dock?
A DisplayLink USB-C docking station is a brand new class of docking station. They’re typically marketed simply as a USB-C docking station, sadly, although the DisplayLink emblem options prominently on the field. The important thing right here is that the DisplayLink expertise (now owned by Synaptics) makes use of software program knowledge compression between your PC and the dock to approximate a Thunderbolt expertise (a pair of 4K shows at 60Hz, plus extra peripherals) throughout the narrower, slower USB-C bus. You’ll want to put in a software program driver to make it work.
The benefit right here is twofold. First, DisplayLink lets you “cheat” and get a Thunderbolt dock expertise on an older laptop computer. Alternatively, even if you happen to do personal a laptop computer with a Thunderbolt port, you might be able to discover a DisplayLink USB-C dock for a less expensive worth than Thunderbolt. This can be a viable answer, particularly if you happen to don’t thoughts not taking part in PC video games.
Our separate story on DisplayLink docks has extra.
Are there another applied sciences that I have to find out about?
We’re beginning to see some USB-C docking stations benefit from one other expertise: HBR3 (Excessive Bit Fee 3) with DSC (Show Stream Compression). Consider it because the industry-standard, manufacturer-agnostic model of DisplayLink. It really works over the USB-C port, and once more gives a twin 4K60 show expertise.
The issue? It’s wonky. We’ve discovered that help for the expertise was very iffy in Eleventh-gen {hardware}, and actually appears to work persistently in Twelfth-gen or Thirteenth-gen Core laptops (and above, once they ship). Whereas we are able to’t actually suggest it proper now, we’re keeping track of it.
The overwhelming majority of Thunderbolt docks ought to embrace a Thunderbolt cable like this one, which signifies that it’s specified for Thunderbolt 3.
IDG
Shopping for Information: what to search for in a Thunderbolt dock
Ports, cables, peripherals: These are the three main concerns when shopping for a Thunderbolt dock.
We’re starting to see the Thunderbolt dock market break down in just a few alternative ways. First, there’s the finances versus full-featured docks we’ve highlighted above. However you additionally may even see one thing just like the USB hubs of outdated: Gadgets that take Thunderbolt in after which present a number of USB-C (together with Thunderbolt) ports out. There are a small variety of shows with Thunderbolt inputs, which might be plugged instantly into these hubs. Do you might have an present low-cost USB-C dongle? You’ll be able to definitely plug that in right into a Thunderbolt dock and add much more I/O performance.
Mainly, think about what you’ll need to plug into the dock as a information for purchasing one. We want units with ports in-built (comparable to HDMI, USB-A, and so forth) because the USB-C system ecosystem remains to be in its infancy. However ask your self some questions. Would you like a primary Thunderbolt dock, with only a pair of HDMI ports for connecting two shows? Does an SD card slot matter? What number of USB Kind A peripherals do you intend to connect? Do you need to use the Thunderbolt cable to cost your laptop computer, too?
Cables might be an unexpectedly essential consideration, too. Just about each dock ships with a Thunderbolt cable. However think about the shows you personal (usually HDMI or DisplayPort) and think about whether or not the dock will accommodate them.
Test your laptop computer’s energy provide. Does it plug into your laptop computer by way of USB-C? If that’s the case, a Thunderbolt dock will possible energy it. You’ll want to know how the dock provides energy, although. Test your laptop computer’s charger to learn the way a lot energy it provides, and the way a lot the dock might want to provide to exchange it. In case your laptop computer or units aren’t receiving sufficient energy, you might even see a warning pop up.
A “bus-powered” dock gained’t include an exterior charger within the package deal, saving some price, house, and energy considerations. A dock with “energy supply” will provide its personal energy and cost your laptop computer and/or a telephone by way of your laptop computer’s present USB-C charger. (Likelihood is that it gained’t supply the quick-charging capabilities premium smartphones supply, although.) The extra energy your dock provides, the better the flexibility to cost your laptop computer and any bus-powered units. This can be a gotcha most individuals don’t take into consideration, so if you happen to plan to attach a number of bus-powered laborious drives or SSDs, purchase a dock with a hefty energy provide. (USB keys, then again, require tiny quantities of energy. Don’t fear about these.)
Powered Thunderbolt docks, particularly those who energy your laptop computer, can ship with some fairly sizeable energy bricks.
Mark Hachman / IDG
There’s yet one more consideration: the size of the Thunderbolt cable between your laptop computer and the dock itself. You’ll have observed or heard about USB-C ports carrying out on smartphones; a free or wobbly connector on a Thunderbolt dock could cause a monitor to unexpectedly flicker or lose connection. Contemplate how a lot rigidity might be placed on a cable. A Thunderbolt dock that’s dangling from a Thunderbolt port will stress the bodily connector. You don’t need that!
In the event you’re a Mac consumer who has stumbled throughout this text, welcome. However please remember that early Apple MacBook Professionals powered by Intel silicon supported as much as two 4K shows. The primary MacBook Professionals powered by the Apple M1 chip solely help a single 4K show. Many Mac customers have lately left damaging critiques on Thunderbolt docks on buying websites due to this. Purchase a PC!
How we check Thunderbolt docks
We’re working from the premise that you just’re shopping for a Thunderbolt dock for its distinctive skill to connect with two 4K screens at 60Hz. Decrease resolutions needs to be a lot simpler to run efficiently. Our first check merely related every dock to a pair of 4K/60Hz shows, every of which may settle for DisplayPort and HDMI cabling, and made certain there have been no visible artifacts at 60Hz decision.
Second, we checked to see whether or not the accessible ports delivered the bandwidth we’d anticipate, connecting them to an exterior SSD and transferring a set of check information over the Thunderbolt cable and port. We additionally used AJA’s System Check device to double-check our numbers and check whether or not learn and write speeds have been constant.
Lastly, we spot-checked the accessible energy draw of the hubs and ports with a USB energy meter, in addition to merely connecting them to bus-powered units to see if they may ship sufficient energy to permit them to function.
This story was up to date on Might 6, 2023 with extra data and proposals.
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