Now that Thunderbolt and even USB 4 are becoming more common on the latest laptops and Macs, the demand for Thunderbolt docking stations has taken off. But not all docking stations are created equal so this month I thought I would look at a high-end docking station for adding connectivity to a Thunderbolt-enabled laptop or Mac.
The new high-performance Thunderbolt 4 Laptop Docking Station from StarTech.com offers data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps plus support for 8K video. Made by StarTech, a manufacturer of those handy gadgets that can boost productivity, this new docking station is the first certified Thunderbolt 4 docking station with high-bandwidth transfer speeds, 96W power delivery and 8K monitors.
To connect the host computer to the docking station, StarTech has supplied an 80cm Thunderbolt cable. The docking station is powered by a substantial power brick which can accept voltages from 100–240V and uses a detachable cloverleaf-style cable.
Once connected to its host device, the docking station can produce lag-free video performance. This is an important point because most USB-GPU-based laptop docking stations don’t mirror video without a slight lag. This feature is particularly useful for MacBook users with Apple’s M1 processor which has limited external monitor support.
As well as the lag-free video, StarTech’s docking station is compatible with Windows Thunderbolt 4/USB4 laptops or Apple M1 Max/M1 Pro, plus backward compatible with Intel Thunderbolt 3 MacBooks. There are three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting multiple high-resolution displays or up to three Thunderbolt peripherals directly with support for daisy-chaining up to a total of five Thunderbolt devices. Each port also provides 15W of power to connect multiple bus-powered Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 or USB devices such as high-performance SSDs or a 10GbE network adapter.
Alongside the Thunderbolt 4 ports, this beautifully made docking station also has three USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-A ports for connecting USB peripheral devices like webcams, keyboards or SSDs.
For slower USB devices there’s a single USB 2.0 (480Mbps) Type-A port that supports BC 1.2 with 7.5W (1.5A) for charging tablets and smartphones. It’s possible to add a hub to this port for supporting small devices like wireless dongles or a mouse.
To enable the user to get online, the Thunderbolt 4 Laptop Docking Station also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port with PXE boot and WoL to connect to a wired LAN. Alongside the Ethernet, there is a memory card slot supporting SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. Finally, the docking station also has a 3.5mm TRRS audio jack for connecting a headset or just a plain pair of wired headphones.
The StarTech Thunderbolt 4 docking station supports the IT Pro Connectivity Tools software suite for Windows users, enabling enterprise-level IT management with the four free utilities included with the software suite.
Verdict: This is probably the best-specified Thunderbolt 4 docking station I’ve seen so far. It’s also the most expensive but that’s because it is fully loaded with all the features you’d need. It’s an ideal choice for anyone who wants maximum performance and connectivity from a cable-based docking station with the ability to drive a single 8K monitor at a refresh rate of 30Hz. It can also drive a 6K monitor at 60Hz and a 5K at 60Hz. Alternatively, two external 4K monitors with a refresh rate of 60Hz can be supported. Thanks to the 96W Power Delivery, this docking station can power and charge even the most power-hungry laptops. And with 15W (3A) of downstream power, it can be used to charge tablets or smartphones at the same time. Recommended.
Pricing & Availability: The StarTech Thunderbolt 4 Laptop Docking Station (TB4CDOCK) is available via IT resellers and distributors, including Ingram Micro, SYNNEX, Amazon.com, CDW, TechData and D&H. The price is $439.99.
More info: www.startech.com
Tech Specs:
- Connector: SD Slot, 1 x USB 2.0 A (Fast-Charge, 4 pin), 1 x 3.5mm Audio (4-Position, Speakers + Mic, CTIA), 3 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB 4.0), 1 x Ethernet Gigabit, 3 x USB 3.1 with USB Type-A (9 pin, Gen 2, 10 Gbps)
- Host Connectors: 1 x Thunderbolt 4 (USB 4.0)
- Fast-charge ports: Yes
- Max displays: 2
- Audio: Yes / Two-channel
- Bus type: Thunderbolt 4
- Lock Slot: Kensington Mini-Slot / Standard Slot
- Chipset ID: Intel - JHL8440, Cypress - CYUSB4357, Parade - FL580, Parade - FL580, Cypress - CYPD5235, Realtek - RTL8153B, Realtek - ALC4042, Genesys Logic - GL3226
- Maximum Digital Resolutions:
- Thunderbolt 4 Windows Systems: Dual 4K 60Hz or Single 8K 30Hz / 6K 60Hz / 5K 60Hz / 4K 60Hz
- Thunderbolt 4 M1 Pro & M1 Max Mac Systems: Dual 4K 60Hz or Single 5K 60Hz / 4K 60Hz
- Thunderbolt 3 Intel Mac Systems: Dual 4K 60Hz or Single 6K 60Hz / 5K 60Hz / 4K 60Hz
- Thunderbolt 3 M1 Mac Systems: Single 4K 60Hz or 6K 60Hz /5K 60Hz / 4K 60Hz
- Thunderbolt 4 & Compatible USB4 Systems: Dual 4K 60Hz or Single 8K 30Hz / 6K 60Hz / 5K 60Hz / 4K 60Hz
- USB4 Systems: Single 8K 30Hz / 6K 60Hz / 5K 60Hz / 4K 60Hz
- Ethernet compatibility: 10/100/1000 Mbps, Auto MDIX, PXE, Full Duplex
- Dimensions: 2.9 x 19.4 x 8.4 (HxWxL)
- Weight: 1kg
- Cable length: 80cm
- OS Compatibility: Windows 11, 10, macOS Big Sur (11.0), macOS Monterey (12.0)
