Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Belkin Debuts New Compact 'Dual Power' Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,102
38,854


Belkin today introduced the Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core, a "dual power" dock option that supports passthrough power from a laptop to connected devices, so a separate power cable is not required.

belkindock1.jpg

Belkin says the Dock Core is aimed at those who are looking for fast transfer rates and a one-cable solution for connecting laptops to peripherals.

belkindock2.jpg

Designed for both Mac and Windows machines, Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core offers a compact form factor ideal for desktop use along with 40Gb/s transfer rates, 60W power upstream charging, and support for one 8K monitor or two 4K monitors at 60Hz.

There's a tethered Thunderbolt 3 cable to connect to a Thunderbolt 3 laptop, a USB-C PD power, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, one HDMI 2.0 port, one 1Gb Ethernet port, Audio In/Out ports, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s port) and a USB-A 2.0 port.

When connected to a laptop, the Dock Core is able to power connected peripheral devices without the need for a separate power cable. The laptop can be kept charged by connecting its existing power supply to the USB-C PD port on the Thunderbolt dock.
"Belkin's Thunderbolt 3 docks and adapters are perfect for remote workers, be it from the home, an RV beach vacation or a hotel room. They transform mobile devices into high productivity centers on-the-go," said Jon Roepke, director of product management, Belkin. "They easily connect a USB-C laptop to virtually all common peripherals like displays, projectors, external hard drives, ethernet and speakers, so they can get to work quickly and easily without needing to be their own IT department. With one cable from the laptop, these docks are a clutter-free alternative to a tangled nest of cables on the desktop or dining room table now serving as an office. And since it's dual-power - the dock can draw power directly from the laptop instead of from the wall outlet - there's one less cable to worry about."
Click to expand...
Belkin's Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core will be available for purchase in July 2020 from the Belkin website and retailers like Amazon. It is priced at $170.

Article Link: Belkin Debuts New Compact 'Dual Power' Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/06/29/belkin-thunderbolt-3-dock-core/
  • Like
Reactions: DeepIn2U
It seems a bit odd that while there is a DisplayPort 1.4 port, there is no outbound Thunderbolt 3 port. This won’t be compatible with an older LG UltraFine 5K that lacks USB-C support. Will it work with the newer LG Ultrafine 5K with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alfredo_Delgado
I just want a decent dock that supports the 16" MacBook Pro. Seems like most are under powered or for the older 15" models.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iStorm
There must be some Thunderbolt 3 limitation that only allows for short cables. Will be glad when USB 4.0 replaces it.
 
I love the COMPLETELY b.s. screen mockups...a spreadsheet on the computer and some wavy graphic "dashboards" on the 2 monitors for a "business analyst" type role. I also agree this is a docking station...but the entire advertisement is a big nest of wires (but magically no power cables for the 2 monitors)! YUCK!
 
Apple2GS said:
There must be some Thunderbolt 3 limitation that only allows for short cables. Will be glad when USB 4.0 replaces it.
Click to expand...

Apple sells a 0.8 meter (31 inches) and a 2 meter thunderbolt cable (78 inches). This tethered Belkin one is 0.15 meters (6 inches). The longer one still gets 40 Gb/s and supports 100W.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: KeithBN
KPOM said:
It seems a bit odd that while there is a DisplayPort 1.4 port, there is no outbound Thunderbolt 3 port. This won’t be compatible with an older LG UltraFine 5K that lacks USB-C support. Will it work with the newer LG Ultrafine 5K with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable?
Click to expand...
They used the other Thunderbolt 3 port for a display output (can't have two display outputs without extra chips like a switch or MST hub - macOS doesn't support MST for multiple displays). Newer UltraFine 5K would be limited to 4K if connected to this dock. Having two Thunderbolt ports would complicate the ability to power the dock from laptop only. This complication may also result in the requirement for a captive cable?

ThunderSkunk said:
The ultimate test: Can it handle a classic 30" Apple Cinema Display?
Click to expand...
With a DisplayPort to DVI dual link adapter which will require USB power.

Connect two 30" Apple Cinema Displays using two adapters, plus a HDMI to DisplayPort adapter (but chaining adapters may not always be reliable). This requires three USB-A ports though to power the adapters.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Val-kyrie
dapa0s said:
They won't since thunderbolt was made with Intel, but they will probably just use usb4 which will be compatible with thunderbolt, I guess?
Click to expand...
Would you please point us to the source that supports your statement, above? I'm asking, because your statements is absolutely and completely FALSE, and I continue to see this "fact" posted in these forums over and over again. Intel did produce the original TB design, however they opened it up to the public a while ago (Spring of '19). There are no royalties for the use of TB3 - it is no longer (well over a year) a proprietary interface. Anyone can produce and use TB3 tech. Got that??

newsroom.intel.com

Newsroom Home

Intel Newsroom home page
newsroom.intel.com newsroom.intel.com
 
  • Like
  • Disagree
Reactions: KeithBN, fhall1 and ohbrilliance
luvbug said:
Would you please point us to the source that supports your statement, above? I'm asking, because your statements is absolutely and completely FALSE, and I continue to see this "fact" posted in these forums over and over again. Intel did produce the original TB design, however they opened it up to the public a while ago (Spring of '19). There are no royalties for the use of TB3 - it is no longer (well over a year) a proprietary interface. Anyone can produce and use TB3 tech. Got that??

newsroom.intel.com

Newsroom Home

Intel Newsroom home page
newsroom.intel.com newsroom.intel.com
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I believe Thunderbolt is developed by intel (with some help from Apple) so the tech belongs to intel. In the past Intel use to charge a premium for chipsets that included thunderbolt (in other words you were paying a royalty to sell it if it was on your computer). You are correct, that they removed the royalty, and all sellers can included thunderbolt without paying extra to use it. That does not mean AMD or any other company can just copy the design and sell their version of thunderbolt, It Just means you still buy your processor from intel and you can implement thunderbolt at no extra charge. Now does intel sell a small controller chip that includes thunderbolt, and would Apple want to use/buy it? Your guess is as good as mine but I agree with data0s, that it's unlikely. Why would Apple want to keep themselves tied or held hostage by intel. USB4 will be just as fast so what's the benefit to Apple.
 
  • Disagree
  • Like
Reactions: KeithBN, NPC Compliant and steve09090
dapa0s said:
They won't since thunderbolt was made with Intel, but they will probably just use usb4 which will be compatible with thunderbolt, I guess?
Click to expand...
Thunderbolt is a collaboration between Apple and Intel since it was called Lightpeak. It’s also just rolled into the usb 4.0 spec. There WILL be thunderbolt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KeithBN
Unity451 said:
I get that these are technically "Docking stations" which could arguably justify the price... But since my monitor and MBP only have USB-C ports, I still see this as a $170 dongle to charge my iphone and connect to ethernet.
Click to expand...
In a way I agree with you, the whole if they just put up more ports then I won't have to have a docking station at all type of argument. However, even back then, even with all the USB ports, I still had a USB hubs. Simply because its less work to plug everything in the hub and then connect one cable to the PC or laptop. I'm coming around to the idea, and I think it's rather nice to just have a all encompassing hub and all I have to do plug in a single cable whenever I come and go.

Of course, if you are talking about when you are traveling, then yes it's annoying to have to carry dongles.
 
joevt said:
They used the other Thunderbolt 3 port for a display output (can't have two display outputs without extra chips like a switch or MST hub - macOS doesn't support MST for multiple displays).
Click to expand...
Why doesn't MacOS support MST hubs or daisy chained DP monitors? Is it a petty attempt by Apple to "convince" people to buy Thunderbolt monitors? This is the problem with standards having too many "optional" features - lazy manufacturers try to get away with the absolute bare minimum level of compatibility while claiming to support the standard.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back