Belkin Upgrades Thunderbolt Express Dock with USB 3.0 and eSATA, Bumps Price to $399.99

[jcpb]

Originally Posted by MagnusVonMagnum

Fanboys. I mean who else enjoys paying more for less 100% of the time?

Bose and Monster Cable evangelists.

[radiogoober]

Originally Posted by Chippy99

What a bizarre and rather rude comment. How on earth do you presume to know what my qualifications are???

As it happens, although not specialising in hardware design, I am a physicist and have worked in IT for 30 years.

Translation: Chippy99 took a class in physics in high school and now works a computer at McDonalds.

[Chippy99]

Originally Posted by radiogoober

Translation: Chippy99 took a class in physics in high school and now works a computer at McDonalds.

Very amusing. Wildly wrong, but amusing.

[joe1946]

Since the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have USB 3.0 ports I bet the new MacMini and iMac will have them also so ext TB HDDs are dead meat now unless you like to pay 3x as much for the same performance.

http://www.ecost.com/p/Western-Digit...ource=EWB20046


http://www.ecost.com/p/LaCie-Removab...14~pdp.hcjeaji

[jcpb]

Originally Posted by joe1946

Since the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have USB 3.0 ports I bet the new MacMini and iMac will have them also so ext TB HDDs are dead meat now unless you like to pay 3x as much for the same performance.

http://www.ecost.com/p/Western-Digit...ource=EWB20046


http://www.ecost.com/p/LaCie-Removab...14~pdp.hcjeaji

4+ hard drive setups are better served with TB as you're hitting the USB3 spec by that point.

More than one SSD in RAID 0? TB, period.

[awer25]

Originally Posted by jcpb

4+ hard drive setups are better served with TB as you're hitting the USB3 spec by that point.

More than one SSD in RAID 0? TB, period.

TB has more bandwidth than USB3. Obviously you can think of some situation where TB may be better suited - but it still costs a lot more, and the average user doesn't have 5 external hard drives all hooked up at one time.

[Chippy99]

Originally Posted by awer25

TB has more bandwidth than USB3. Obviously you can think of some situation where TB may be better suited - but it still costs a lot more, and the average user doesn't have 5 external hard drives all hooked up at one time.

Absolutely.

Some people on this thread seem very confused, or perhaps are being deliberately fan-boy-blinkered.

No-one is questioning whether TB is superior to USB3. We get that. (I will gloss over for one moment the utter stupidity of making TB reliant on active cables.)

But the issue is USB3 is *good enough* and is dirt cheap. TB is marginally better and ****ing expensive.

[Tonehenge]

Originally Posted by antman2x2

I, as a consumer cannot express how disgusted I am with thunderbolt.

Actually let me correct myself, Im not disgusted with thunderbolt, I'm disgusted by these companies who want to rape and pillage my wallet.

THESE PRICES WILL KILL THUNDERBOLT.

People sure feel strongly about this stuff...

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Originally Posted by Tonehenge

People sure feel strongly about this stuff...

And yet those of us that said it would be this way before and just after it first came out got a freaking earful from the fanboy on here about how GREAT Thunderbolt is and how it would just destroy USB3, etc. etc., blah blah blah blah while we told them that it would get very little support (relatively speaking) at VERY high prices for a LONG time to come (if not always). All I can say to those people is I TOLD YOU SO!

[RexRexington]

Can't you all see this is the ultimate breakout box ! THis box is going to appeal to all pro's like myself. Look what you get from ONE TB port... I have a 2006 G5 Power PC quad 2.5 fully expanded the fastest Mac ever right before the intel switch. To upgrade this G5 computer for workhorse pro audio & video work one has to spend $$$ on PCI cards and cables and external drives and audio and video peripherals. Run out of PCI slots that's it.. Now take the latest MBPr and one of these Belkin boxes you now have a powerful portable laptop with 16 GB ram that rivals most desktops. This Belkin box is only the beginning and well worth the $$$. I am in line to get one for my new MBPr !!! Smaller, cheaper, faster... Technology

[Hyper-X]

Originally Posted by MagnusVonMagnum

And yet those of us that said it would be this way before and just after it first came out got a freaking earful from the fanboy on here about how GREAT Thunderbolt is and how it would just destroy USB3, etc. etc., blah blah blah blah while we told them that it would get very little support (relatively speaking) at VERY high prices for a LONG time to come (if not always). All I can say to those people is I TOLD YOU SO!

That's because a lot of Apple lovers are fanboy sheep. They're inclined to believe everything that Apple does is the right thing and don't ever question their practices and decisions even when it's deserving. Clear objectivity is not a trait of most who're here on these forums.

[mujihi]

Where can I buy one? I have been using the LaCie Express Card on my 17" MBP and get to experience eSata speeds when connected to my USB 3 drives, which by the way, also have to be LaCie. I also can't hot swap (need to reboot after swapping the drive). Now Lacie Hardware is very good, and am glad to have it, but the idea of actually running USB 3 devices at USB 3 speed, and being able to plug in any make of drive is a huge advantage for me. My Pegasus is a great drive bay but too big to travel with, and firewire is becoming more scarce, more pricey and is slower than the USB 3 express card. Having three ports is more than I would have asked for. For me it is about productivity. If the 27" Cinema display had USB 3 ports it would be great too, but I have not seen a cinema display set up successfully as a broadcast monitor, so unless I am playing games, or doing general office work, I can't see the benefit in taking up desk space with a large boat anchor.

[penright92]

Is this product going to come to fruition? its getting very late in september and still no details regarding pre-order or even a pushed back release date

[G51989]

Originally Posted by Simplicated

Really, who pays $400 for a hub without a cable included, which brings the total price to at least $450.

Really, who buys a 700 dollar phone with a broken Map system?

[terriyaki]

Seems like they're pushing this back until at least Q1 2013.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by terriyaki

Seems like they're pushing this back until at least Q1 2013.

I wonder if the problem is hardware, or getting all of the third-party drivers to work....

My money would be on driver problems.

[estutmirleid]

Originally Posted by Hyper-X

That's because a lot of Apple lovers are fanboy sheep. They're inclined to believe everything that Apple does is the right thing and don't ever question their practices and decisions even when it's deserving. Clear objectivity is not a trait of most who're here on these forums.

To be fair, I think it's only become perceived that way since the rise of Apple and the (relative) fall of Microsoft. The original Apple supporter was simply one who had a negative opinion of Windows®, and appreciated many of Apple's divergent and frequently innovative design choices.
Now, of course, Apple is the largest company in the world (after being the company Dell suggested Jobs should just wind-up), so that attitude still persists but lacks as much relevancy. Given time, Apple's rep will tarnish (we're watching it happen now, I think) and the support they gained simply by _not_ being Microsoft will fade.
I also think that implying that "fanboy sheep" are exclusive to Apple is disingenuous: LINUX and Windows suffer equally from this ailment. It's not the product that's to blame, but human nature…

[kenwphoto]

Lots of people are griping here about the price and the merits of USB 3.0 vs Thunderbolt. The price is low for this docking station if you have a real need for something like this and very high if you don't. USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt are completely different and should not be compared. Its not like apple to oranges its like oranges to fish.

Thunderbolt is an extension of both the PCIe bus and display output. Its most useful for super high data rate devices like external professional expansion boxes, Displays and ProVideo devices. These things used to require a full size Mac pro but now due to Thunderbolt a laptop or Mac Mini can handle many tasks that one required a full size Mac Pro. That is a huge cost and weight saving for mobile users far offsetting the cost of so called pricey Thunderbolt devices.

Now as for this Belkin dock if you need it its a great deal. Who might need it you ask? How about anyone with a 2011 Mac with Thunderbolt?

For example I just picked up a 2012 Mac Mini i7 with USB 3.0 and an external usb 3.0 drive 3tb Seagate drive which was only $139. at Costco. That drive screams considering its price it peaks at about 200 MB per sec and delivers consistent 150 MB to 175 MB speeds when tested with the Backmagic disk speed tester. It about twice as fast as my WD Firewire Raid 0 drives.

However two clients of mine who I help some editing video tasks both have 2011 iMac with Thunderbolt ports but not USB 3.0.

In order for them to quickly get data to and from me and have access to speedy low cost usb 3.0 devices their only option right now is a Sonnet Technologies Echo (Pro) ExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt expansion Box for $137 (or $167 for the pro version with PCIe 2.0) and a usb 3.0 express card that is Thunderbolt aware and I am not aware of one right now that will work with mountain lion, LaCie makes one that only works with their drives.

Figure $300 if your lucky and then you have to have ay at the end of your thunderbolt chain because there is only 1 port.

Compared to the other options The Belkin dock is a bargain. It has two ports so it can be anywhere in a thunderbolt daisy chain and it also include eSata, Firewire 800 and gigabit ethernet. For $400 its a steal! The Gig E is a huge plus because you can double the network connection speed if you already have a port or add one if you don't. The eSata port is great too for all the drive that are in use today with that port but no usb 3.0

Get real people these devices are just tools and if it is helpful in you work flow and saves you money in the long run it a great deal. If its no benefit to you it a bad deal for you at a $1.
K

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Originally Posted by kenwphoto

Lots of people are griping here about the price and the merits of USB 3.0 vs Thunderbolt. The price is low for this docking station if you have a real need for something like this

Sorry, it's a RIP-OFF even if you do 'need' it. I can almost buy a 2nd Mac Mini with 4 more USB 3.0 ports on it for the price of this "dock".

[yjchua95]

Patience is the main virtue.

Once it enters mass production and when the dock hits the break-even mark, prices will start dropping.

I would happily wait a few months after launch.

Once you mass-produce something, it'll get cheaper. For instance, Volvo's BLIS system, when initially launched, was only available to high-end models. Now all Volvos have BLIS as standard.

[wikus]

I've been saying thunderbolt has been a failure for almost a year now and got slammed by forum members for stating WHY its a failure.

Is anyone even defending thunderbolt's overpriced peripherals? I can't believe an expensive gimped hub like that actually WENT UP in price.

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Originally Posted by wikus

Apple's already completely trashed their line of computers, the last thing they need to do is to gimp all of them with a lousy mobile processor.

OS X has been a snoozefest since Snow Leopard with its ridiculous iPadification. Mac Pros haven't received a legitimate upgrade in YEARS for professionals. iMacs got gimped by being limited to one hard drive, no user replaceable ram and no optical drive in a DESKTOP that many professionals still use (iMacs get used frequently in design studios). And the Macbooks... at least they kept the normal line of MacBook Pros with a combo drive, I got mine loaded with two drives (one for OS and the other 1TB for storage and files). They gimp that too and I'll make that the last macbook I buy. The Mac Pro doesn't look like a reasonable purchase either.

Congratulations Apple, you've officially set yourself up for fail.

Originally Posted by wikus

I've been saying thunderbolt has been a failure for almost a year now and got slammed by forum members for stating WHY its a failure.

Is anyone even defending thunderbolt's overpriced peripherals? I can't believe an expensive gimped hub like that actually WENT UP in price.

I'm getting the impression you use this word "gimp" a LOT.

[wikus]

Originally Posted by MagnusVonMagnum

I'm getting the impression you use this word "gimp" a LOT.

Its the perfect word for all of Apple's current products. Everything is gimped in some form. There is NOTHING that they have that says 'Beast' unlike 4+ years ago. The Mac Pros were awesome then Apple started to not give a damn about prosumers.

[filmbuff]

The argument that "the price is alright for people who really need it" would work if anyone actually did need it. However, professionals who have the money for high end equipment either already have custom systems or have something much cheaper that has been working for years. Trust me, there are boards just like this full of professional video editors right now saying "I'd sure like that TB dock, but for $400 they can kiss my..." The end result is that about five of these will be sold, no economies of scale will be developed, and there still won't be any affordable TB accessories in another year or two.

[ikir]

I think I will need this one even if expensive