Matrox Announces DS-1 Thunderbolt Docking Station for $249

MacRumors · Jun 3, 2012, 05:21 PM

Matrox has announced a new Thunderbolt docking station for MacBooks and Ultrabooks.

Quote:

From a single Thunderbolt connection, users can add multiple peripherals including a large DVI or HDMI® display, a full-size keyboard, and a mouse. A gigabit Ethernet port provides connectivity to a wired corporate network, enabling data transfers 18 times faster than Wi-Fi(TM). One SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports, a microphone input, and a speaker/headphone output are also provided. With its solid aluminum construction, yet sleek design, Matrox DS1 is ideal for office, dorm, or home use.

At a proposed price of $249, the Matrox DS-1 comes in cheaper than Belkin's $299 solution that is due this fall. Matrox's unit lacks a couple of ports (additional Thunderbolt, and Firewire) that are found on Belkin's dock. The DS-1 comes with DVI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, (2) USB 2.0, Audio Output, Audio Input, and Power connectors:

The Matrox does carry a high speed USB 3.0 port that is absent on Belkin's unit. The addition of that port may make the dock more appealing to PC/Ultrabook customers. It's not clear, however, from Matrox's site if the USB 3.0 port is functional on a Mac. (*Update)

In the past, USB 3.0 support on the Mac has required the installation of 3rd party drivers. These drivers are generally provided by the hardware manufacturer.

Apple has been rumored to be including USB 3.0 support in their next generation MacBook Pros which are due this summer. If that does come to pass, the USB 3.0 port on Matrox's dock may work with Apple's own bundled USB 3.0 drivers.

The Matrox DS-1 Thunderbolt docking station will be available worldwide in September for $249.

Update: Matrox has informed us that MacBooks will be able to take advantage of the USB 3.0 port.

Article Link: Matrox Announces DS-1 Thunderbolt Docking Station for $249

fox10078 · Jun 3, 2012, 05:24 PM

Wish it had another TB port on it. Guess it'll be the end of the chain.

magnus55 · Jun 3, 2012, 05:24 PM

249 € and this thing is as ugly as possible? Well, at least it got TWO ridiculously large Matrox logos.

Hastings101 · Jun 3, 2012, 05:24 PM

Nice looking product, a little pricey though and doesn't really offer that many ports. Only three USB? I'll pass

I'm still waiting for those external graphics cards. Something like that with a Mac Mini or Macbook Air would be so awesome.

GekkePrutser · Jun 3, 2012, 05:28 PM

Great product!

I could really use one of these, been thinking about upgrading my Air to the upcoming model.

Insane price

249 for a dock is just not reasonable... For that money I'll plug a few more cables by hand.

coolfactor · Jun 3, 2012, 05:29 PM

This says it supports HDMI, but I'm not seeing an HDMI port on there. Do you need to convert from DVI or HDMI? That would be silly.

M.a.r.k. · Jun 3, 2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnus55

249 € and this thing is as ugly as possible? Well, at least it got TWO ridiculously large Matrox logos.

that's exactly what I thought!
How come everything TB is so expensive? Licensing fees? Or the low volume?

88 King · Jun 3, 2012, 05:32 PM

What is the point of getting this device? $250 + $50 cable to get the advantage of 1 USB 3 over the current mac models.

When Apple update their machines with USB 3, this product will be nothing but an expensive paper weight.

ThisIsNotMe · Jun 3, 2012, 05:33 PM

No Firewire 800?

:facepalm:

MultiMediaWill · Jun 3, 2012, 05:33 PM

Is this really necessary?

gorskiegangsta · Jun 3, 2012, 05:34 PM

Why include a DVI out port instead of a MiniDP, an HDMI, or another Thunderbolt port?

east85 · Jun 3, 2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.a.r.k.

that's exactly what I thought!
How come everything TB is so expensive? Licensing fees? Or the low volume?

I'd say maybe a combination, but for sure low volume plays a role. It's a new technology and TB is kind of just starting to circulate more and more. The demand is not quite there, give it some time.

Pegamush · Jun 3, 2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 King

What is the point of getting this device? $250 + $50 cable to get the advantage of 1 USB 3 over the current mac models.

When Apple update their machines with USB 3, this product will be nothing but an expensive paper weight.

still cheaper than buying a new mac

jumanji · Jun 3, 2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolfactor

This says it supports HDMI, but I'm not seeing an HDMI port on there. Do you need to convert from DVI or HDMI? That would be silly.

probably. i would have like either an HDMI or another DVI port on there or mini DP (or all 3). i'm all about dual monitors with my macbook. it certainly has the space.

pmz · Jun 3, 2012, 05:37 PM

Sigh. Can't they do better than this?

nuckinfutz · Jun 3, 2012, 05:37 PM

Belkin is superior IMO.

Firewire
Thunderbolt Pass Through
Better looks

I like the USB 3.0 but if TB peripherals come down in price i'd rather get the extra speed.

SprodeBoy · Jun 3, 2012, 05:38 PM

Well it looks good but I wouldn't buy it for that price. $80 to $120 and then we will see

LeoCastillo · Jun 3, 2012, 05:38 PM

I'm not sure I get the appeal for this product.
You can simply:

- get a USB hub if you wanted more ports
- use a dongle for DVI
- use a dongle for ethernet

All will cost less than $249. If it had another thunderbolt and firewire it would make sense, but without it, I don't get it.

Leo

Old Muley · Jun 3, 2012, 05:39 PM

No firewire in either flavor,
No HDMI,
Only 3 USB ports,
and why have the TB port on the front and everything else on the back?

Think I'll pass...

88 King · Jun 3, 2012, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolfactor

This says it supports HDMI, but I'm not seeing an HDMI port on there. Do you need to convert from DVI or HDMI? That would be silly.

DVI don't carry audio like HDMI, so you will need another cable for sound. Like you said silly.

reallynotnick · Jun 3, 2012, 05:40 PM

I hope these come under $100 soon, as someone who is almost always docked on my large monitor this would be a great replacement to my bunch of cables.

Mr Fusion · Jun 3, 2012, 05:42 PM

... Page 2?

angemon89 · Jun 3, 2012, 05:44 PM

I can't wait to see what's coming in the future thanks to thunderbolt. This is a good start though.

damir00 · Jun 3, 2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolfactor

This says it supports HDMI, but I'm not seeing an HDMI port on there. Do you need to convert from DVI or HDMI? That would be silly.

Also wouldn't work - no audio across DVI, and HDMI carries audio.

SprodeBoy · Jun 3, 2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.a.r.k.

that's exactly what I thought!
How come everything TB is so expensive? Licensing fees? Or the low volume?

Remember when Monster was selling HDMI cables for $100?

Jun 3, 2012, 05:24 PM	#2
fox10078 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2009	Wish it had another TB port on it. Guess it'll be the end of the chain. __________________ Vortex 8: Super Hackintosh Vortex 4: Render pal for Vortex 8, Also Hackintosh. Galaxy Nexus. iPad 2, My always trusty Macbook(Late 2006). Mac Pro 3,1(RIP) iPhone 4S(RIP)
	28

Jun 3, 2012, 05:24 PM	#4
Hastings101 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sunflower State	Nice looking product, a little pricey though and doesn't really offer that many ports. Only three USB? I'll pass I'm still waiting for those external graphics cards. Something like that with a Mac Mini or Macbook Air would be so awesome. __________________ My dog is better than your dog.
	12

Jun 3, 2012, 05:28 PM	#5
GekkePrutser macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ireland	Great product! I could really use one of these, been thinking about upgrading my Air to the upcoming model. Insane price 249 for a dock is just not reasonable... For that money I'll plug a few more cables by hand. __________________ Macs: Mac Mini i5 2.5 Ghz w/Radeon GPU 16GB 2x128GB Crucial M4 SSD; MacBook Pro Retina 13", 2.5Ghz, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD Mobile: iPhone 4 16GB, iPad (3rd gen) 32GB WiFi, iPod Shuffle 3G
	9

Jun 3, 2012, 05:33 PM	#10
MultiMediaWill macrumors 65816 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois	Is this really necessary? __________________ Click here for the iPhone 5 iOS 6.0 Jailbreak! MacBook Pro 15" 2011 , 2.2 GHz Quad i7, 750GB HDD, 8GB RAM, Anti-Glare iPhone 5 32gb iPad 3 16gb
	0

Jun 3, 2012, 05:34 PM	#11
gorskiegangsta macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY	Why include a DVI out port instead of a MiniDP, an HDMI, or another Thunderbolt port? __________________ "The reason I talk to myself is that I am the only one whose answers I accept." - George Carlin
	23

Jun 3, 2012, 05:24 PM	#3
magnus55 macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Germany	249 € and this thing is as ugly as possible? Well, at least it got TWO ridiculously large Matrox logos.
	9

Jun 3, 2012, 05:29 PM	#6
coolfactor macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Campbell River, BC, CANADA	This says it supports HDMI, but I'm not seeing an HDMI port on there. Do you need to convert from DVI or HDMI? That would be silly.
	8

Jun 3, 2012, 05:32 PM	#8
88 King Banned Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: London, UK	What is the point of getting this device? $250 + $50 cable to get the advantage of 1 USB 3 over the current mac models. When Apple update their machines with USB 3, this product will be nothing but an expensive paper weight.
	8

Jun 3, 2012, 05:33 PM	#9
ThisIsNotMe macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2008	No Firewire 800? :facepalm:
	35

Jun 3, 2012, 05:37 PM	#15
pmz macrumors 68000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NJ	Sigh. Can't they do better than this?
	8

Jun 3, 2012, 05:37 PM	#16
nuckinfutz macrumors 603 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Middle Earth	Belkin is superior IMO. Firewire Thunderbolt Pass Through Better looks I like the USB 3.0 but if TB peripherals come down in price i'd rather get the extra speed.
	8

Jun 3, 2012, 05:38 PM	#17
SprodeBoy macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Mankato, Minnesota	Well it looks good but I wouldn't buy it for that price. $80 to $120 and then we will see
	4

Jun 3, 2012, 05:38 PM	#18
LeoCastillo macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Manila, Philippines	Strange I'm not sure I get the appeal for this product. You can simply: - get a USB hub if you wanted more ports - use a dongle for DVI - use a dongle for ethernet All will cost less than $249. If it had another thunderbolt and firewire it would make sense, but without it, I don't get it. Leo
	10

Jun 3, 2012, 05:39 PM	#19
Old Muley macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Titletown USA	No firewire in either flavor, No HDMI, Only 3 USB ports, and why have the TB port on the front and everything else on the back? Think I'll pass... __________________ "Using the potty is an expectation for everyone." -Nurse Beining www.musicboomerang.com
	12

Jun 3, 2012, 05:40 PM	#21
reallynotnick macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2005	I hope these come under $100 soon, as someone who is almost always docked on my large monitor this would be a great replacement to my bunch of cables. __________________ 13in MBP, 2.26GHz, 8GB RAM, 500GB WD Scorpio Blue HDD
	4

Jun 3, 2012, 05:42 PM	#22
Mr Fusion macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2007	... Page 2?
	-7

Jun 3, 2012, 05:44 PM	#23
angemon89 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The place where Apple designs stuff	I can't wait to see what's coming in the future thanks to thunderbolt. This is a good start though. __________________ Assembled in China
	0

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