14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro Dock

[Momof9]

I just got the 14" MBP. Yesterday, my dad gave me a j5create JCD543 dock he was not using, not enough ports for him. So I started playing around with it. I have 2 28" monitors, 1 is 4k and other is HD. SO I have the 4K plugged into the HDMI / DP area, but if I try the other HDMI port the other monitor is only mirrored. I can't figure out how to get it to be extended. Or if it is possible with this J5.... I also am using the ethernet port - I want our 1GB speeds.

So is there a way to get this to work properly or another dock that works for these 3 things. I do have a small external HDD or a new ssd that I may use occasionally - not sure yet. I do have my 2018 now setup as a media and HD server. I even used it yesterday looking for an old photo for my daughter - it worked decent with my MBP. I wanted to play around a bit with the MBP to see what I needed for it dock-wise...

 

[Momof9]

If I wasn't clear, I AM looking for other dock suggestions that actually work well....

 

[xraydoc]

That j5create is just a USB-C dock, so you'll likely have issues with multi-monitor and 4K60 support. If you need multi-monitor support and fast ethernet, I suggest looking at a Thunderbolt 4 dock. Caldigit and OWC make good ones, as do others. If you search on these forums, you'll find plenty of discussions about good docking stations.

 

[Nbd1790]

As mentioned above, a TB4 or even a TB3 dock is the way to go. Something that has an external power supply is probably the safest bet. I bought what I consider to be the sweet spot for me personally from Anker (although it doesn't include an ethernet connection) for about 200 bucks. Specifically mentions its capable of providing 2 4k displays @60hz. Have had zero issues with it no hiccups whatsoever.

This is the larger version of it that includes a GB Ethernet port. Might as well go with it or something comparable to future proof yourself in case you ever decide to get a higher resolution second display.

Anker 777 Thunderbolt Docking Station (Apex, 12-in-1, Thunderbolt 4), Max 90W Charging for Laptop, 20W Power Delivery, Single 8K, Triple 4K Display, 10Gbps Data, Ethernet, Audio, SD

Model Number: A8397 Anker 777 Thunderbolt Docking Station (Apex, 12-in-1, Thunderbolt 4)/Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking StationPeak Performance, Total Connectivity What’s in The Box: Anker 777 Thunderbolt Docking Station (Apex, 12-in-1, Thunderbolt 4)/ Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, 120W power a...

www.amazon.com

 

[DJLC]

I ended up with an OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock paired with their Thunderbolt 3 to dual DisplayPort adapter. It's working reasonably well enough with my two 4k60 displays, and I love it being ONE cable into my MacBook.

THAT SAID: You may have issues with the Ethernet chipset in many docks with gigabit Ethernet. Look out for the Realtek 8153. I've got an Apple TB3 > TB2 adapter paired with an Apple TB2 > Gigabit Ethernet adapter plugged into the dock to work around it. If I'd known this problem existed before I bought, I would've waited for CalDigit's new TB4 dock and its 2.5gig Ethernet.

 

[Momof9]

wow these are ALL expensive.... nothing in the $100 range? With that added price, I should either trade this in for the Mac Studio (even though it is a bit overkill), or wait for the Mac mini pro chip.... I have portable in my 12.9" iPad Pro.... I might have to work on my 2018 Mac mini ssd to make it last if I go that way.....

 

[DJLC]

wow these are ALL expensive.... nothing in the $100 range? With that added price, I should either trade this in for the Mac Studio (even though it is a bit overkill), or wait for the Mac mini pro chip.... I have portable in my 12.9" iPad Pro.... I might have to work on my 2018 Mac mini ssd to make it last if I go that way.....

Sadly no, not really. You can get USB-C docks as you have now, BUT those can only support one monitor on Apple Silicon. Or you can shell out more for a Thunderbolt dock (an older/used Thunderbolt 3 dock may be fine for you too), which CAN support multiple displays.

So — you could certainly just pick up a second USB-C dock for the second monitor. That'd work just fine. It's not as nice as a single cable, but you can also probably be set with a second USB-C dock for 25% the price of a Thunderbolt one.

They really didn't make this TB3 / TB4 / USB-C world confusing at all, did they? Ha. 😂

 

[Momof9]

Thank you, yes it can be confusing. I done even have any Thunderbolt cables, I found out yesterday. i have been using a Mac mini, the past few years, 2018. I do have iPad pros which were more my main creative device. Thank you for your help. Right now I have one monitor plugged into the J5 with the Ethernet and the other directly into the MacBook. I may just get a small mini duck to replace the huge J5. I am already short on desk space either the MacBook. .

 

[Momof9]

Today I was looking to replace the cord for my 4K monitor - I found a new DisplayPort to DP... tried it in the J5Create and it works perfectly. so now I have both monitors and ethernet working great with the J5!!! So a cheaper alternative. I will eventually need to try drives etc on it

 

[sanch3z_77]

i'm just starting my research into docks and this has me slightly confused, but maybe it's actually a better way to go...

My mind past experience of docks is:

1. Stand/dock permanently on a desk connected to power, monitors, external devices (SSD, Keyboard, etc.)
2. Come in, slide your laptop on/in to dock and it switches to the connected devices
3. End of the day, grab your laptop from the dock and use at home

These new breed of docks seem quite a difference service offering, initially I felt they were poor, then I thought they are more future proofed if you change your laptop size/design, or even manufacturer.

So I guess my question is, how to people stand/store there MBP when in a dock, and how easy/quick is the daily plugging in/out process? When I was in an office I was forever grabbing my MBP for meetings, then whacking it back in a dock to actually work. Manually grabbing multiple cables would get boring pretty quickly

 

[xraydoc]

i'm just starting my research into docks and this has me slightly confused, but maybe it's actually a better way to go...

My mind past experience of docks is:

1. Stand/dock permanently on a desk connected to power, monitors, external devices (SSD, Keyboard, etc.)
2. Come in, slide your laptop on/in to dock and it switches to the connected devices
3. End of the day, grab your laptop from the dock and use at home

These new breed of docks seem quite a difference service offering, initially I felt they were poor, then I thought they are more future proofed if you change your laptop size/design, or even manufacturer.

So I guess my question is, how to people stand/store there MBP when in a dock, and how easy/quick is the daily plugging in/out process? When I was in an office I was forever grabbing my MBP for meetings, then whacking it back in a dock to actually work. Manually grabbing multiple cables would get boring pretty quickly

I have one cable between my 14” MBP and dock, which connects it to two displays, ethernet, an SSD, a keyboard and mouse dongle and a CD/DVD SuperDrive. My MBP sits on a shelf just underneath the dock, so it’s nice and out of the way.

To disconnect, I eject the SSD, put the laptop to sleep (not sure if necessary, but I do it anyway), and disconnect the one cable.

Reconnecting only requires placing the MBP on the shelf, connecting the cable, and tapping a key on the keyboard to wake the machine up.