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Belkin Debuts New Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD
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Ironically, Dell announced what looks like the best-specified docking solutions (visually, they're black bricks though...)
http://www.slashgear.com/dell-outs-usb-c-and-thunderbolt-3-docks-and-macs-can-play-too-06420821/
although as far as I can tell you can't actually buy the Thunderbolt 3 one, yet.
It came out earlier this year and was discontinued because nobody could get it to work, even on Dell's own machines.
I assume you mean the first link. Looks nice, but No 4K @ 60.
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The big thing for me is 85W capability. From what I understand -- if correct -- a 15" MBP will not charge while running with anything less.
I am tempted to buy the OWC and PLUGABLE models, but neither has 85 watt capability. Will wait for Plugable's next iteration, that is, unless you guys can recommend something more affordable at the $150 or less price point.
Perhaps this is the answer:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/usb-c/owc/usb-c-dock
EDIT: NOPE. ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE REVIEWS ON AMAZON ON ABOVE PRODUCT
EDIT: This might be the one, but need to make certain it is at least 80W
http://www.caldigit.com/usb-3-1-usb-c-dock/#TechSpec
I am tempted to buy the OWC and PLUGABLE models, but neither has 85 watt capability. Will wait for Plugable's next iteration, that is, unless you guys can recommend something more affordable at the $150 or less price point.
Perhaps this is the answer:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/usb-c/owc/usb-c-dock
EDIT: NOPE. ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE REVIEWS ON AMAZON ON ABOVE PRODUCT
EDIT: This might be the one, but need to make certain it is at least 80W
http://www.caldigit.com/usb-3-1-usb-c-dock/#TechSpec
Last edited:
I care about these, well the optical audio out. Its not clear whether the 3.5mm port on the MacBook pro its self does optical out like its predecessor did.
- This! And a TB 3 for daisy-chaining or USB functionality as well, of course. I could get by perfectly fine with that if it came at a lower price.
The march of the dreaded dongles starts. Universal docking adapter with no SD slot or HDMI? I don't think so. Second rate job Belkin. I am going to buy a 2016 old model MBP to have as a spare when my 2012 rMPB decides to die. As a professional photographer, having a laptop without an SD card slot is like a bicycle with no wheels. How long also before the camera manufacturers update their systems to allow tethering via USB C. Most of the pro camera makers have just updated to HDMI Mini-C to USB 3.
From all accounts I'm the only one who's ecstatic about USB-C with thunderbolt and the fact the apple is removing all other ports from their computers. Just think of the result if the entire industry switches.
When connecting a peripheral to my computer I currently have to weed through rat nests or usb cables to find the correct ends.
I currently have in use.
Type A to Type B.
Type A to micro B.
Type A to micro-B Superspeed.
Type A to Mini B.
And the Vive even has a Type-A to Type-A
Then there are the piles of DVI, HDMI, display port,and mini display port cables of different lengths.
Also the box of adapters, DVI to HDMI, display port to mini display port, HDMI to CAT5 extenders USB extension cords and let's not forget power bricks for each of the different types of USB.
It might take a couple years to age out all my peripherals, but after that happens I'll have a box of one type of cable that will do everything.
Not only will clean up the rats nest, it will also reduce my luggage when traveling by eliminating all the different cables I have to take.
Of course, Apple will have to get rid of lightning port for my dream to come true
When connecting a peripheral to my computer I currently have to weed through rat nests or usb cables to find the correct ends.
I currently have in use.
Type A to Type B.
Type A to micro B.
Type A to micro-B Superspeed.
Type A to Mini B.
And the Vive even has a Type-A to Type-A
Then there are the piles of DVI, HDMI, display port,and mini display port cables of different lengths.
Also the box of adapters, DVI to HDMI, display port to mini display port, HDMI to CAT5 extenders USB extension cords and let's not forget power bricks for each of the different types of USB.
It might take a couple years to age out all my peripherals, but after that happens I'll have a box of one type of cable that will do everything.
Not only will clean up the rats nest, it will also reduce my luggage when traveling by eliminating all the different cables I have to take.
Of course, Apple will have to get rid of lightning port for my dream to come true
I'm expecting CalDigit to offer another C dock . I really like their TB2 dock but the c one is a little lackluster, I'm hoping for a better solution.
Just wondering what you don't like about that dock. I went ahead and ordered the USB-C dock nonetheless. It was the only dock that offered the charging power and most of what I needed for a reasonable price.
Like this: https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/Laptop-docking-stations/thunderbolt-3-laptop-dock~TB3DK2DPW (I'm sure "Windows Only" is only because there weren't TB3 macs at the time)
However, you'd probably be better off with 2 USB-C to DisplayPort cables: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com...o+displayport+cable&refinements=p_89:StarTech
Long term, hopefully there will be more displays like this:
https://9to5mac.com/2016/06/04/lg-27ud88-w-usb-c-4k-monitor-macbook-review/
That does look like the best solution if you don't want to drive 2 4k@60Hz displays.
There's a big, confusing can of worms surrounding Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, though: the Caldigit is a USB-C dock, the Belkin is a Thunderbolt 3 dock. Although they look physically like they're doing the same thing, they work in totally different ways. A USB-C dock uses some of the physical wires on the USB-C cable for DisplayPort signals, the rest for USB which go to regular USB-3 hubs & USB-to-sound/ethernet/whatever adapters.
AFAIK, a TB3 Dock accepts a multiplexed Thunderbolt signal using all the wires, splits that into DisplayPort and PCIe signals - the USB and Ethernet ports are potentially driven by "proper" PCIe-to USB, Sound or Ethernet controllers - they might cheap-out and hang the sound or ethernet off internal USB ports, but the USB ports should be immune from some of the limitations you get with regular USB hubs.
Most users, who just want a single display or a pair of low-res screens & somewhere to hang their keyboard, mouse, printer and backup drive should be fine with USB-C docks. TB3 docks are for your high-speed storage & running 2 x 4k@60Hz or 5k displays. I believe that 4k@60Hz soaks up an entire USB-C cable (with just space for a USB-2 connection alongside) and 5k needs 2 cables, whereas TB3 can squeeze two of those down a single cable.
...although even then it probably doesn't make sense to hang high-speed storage and high-def displays off the same port when you have 4 to choose from (...plugging in 2-3 cables..? Oh! the humanity!)
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That Startech is a full fledged dock and doesn't do power. Two DisplayPort cables kills my one-cable dream.
The closest thing I've found is that Plugable makes a TB3 to dual DisplayPort adapter but of course it doesn't charge.
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I really liked the form factor of the Thunderbolt 2 one. I don't actually dislike the Caldigit, the company is really great, professional quality grade design and function. This is the part I'm not sure about:
"Additionally, the power output of the rear USB-C port raises the bar to 3.0A (15W) of power, even surpassing the iPad Pro's supplied 12W charger. iPad Pro users can now seamlessly charge 25% faster through the USB-C dock compared to the factory charger, making it easier to top off the battery even while iPad Pro is running full throttle!"
I don't think thats fast enough to power and charge the 15" MBP however, a firmware update may make it possible. They offered one for the TB2 dock that made the front facing USB 3.0 port more power so, that may work. That being said, I own a few Caldigit products, I have a few 3.0 AV Pro boxes and A T3 raid and the T2. I will most likely stick with CalDigit but, I am curious to see what they will introduce at CES! I think now that the MBP and new macs will come with USB-C, we'll start seeing some additional dock solutions.
- I'm fairly certain those 15 W refer to the extra USB-C port, not the one used to connect to the Mac - which should be at a minimum 60 W.
That would make sense but, its odd that I'm not seeing that spec anywhere on their site. The power supply it comes with says 90 Watt so maybe it can push enough to the MBP. I'll send them an email and see what they say and report back.
Here we go:
"The USB-C dock has enough power to supply voltage at 60watts. However, the new 15” MBP’s power consumption is at approximately 80 watts. We haven’t had the opportunity to test using the new MBP’s but we will soon. However, based on the information alone it is not looking like it will be able to charge the larger MBP computers."
Best Regards,
CalDigit Support
support@caldigit.com
714-572-9889
With this information, I think they'll do another product or if they can push another 10Watts to the USB-C through firmware it could charge slower without the need for a new product, I would still buy it. Most of the time, when I need a dock i'll be sitting there for long enough that a trickle charge would be fine. Thoughts?
I think new MacBook Pro 15" would take whatever power goes into it. If you want full speed, 85W is must have.
But who will be using a laptop for 5-6 hours and not rest? 60W should be plenty enough for charging a MacBook Pro. That is what I did all the time. I use Apple Megasafe 60W charger for my rMBP 15" which requires 85W charger. And I have absolutely no problem whatsoever
By the way, looks like the new MBP 13" that takes 60W power is working well with USB-C Dock. see the latest update from the thread.
http://crazydiamondstar.blogspot.com/2016/08/usb-c-dock-best-baymax-for-macbook.html
so good news for many people who have both MacBook 2015, 2016 and MacBook Pro 2016. The USB-C is the way to do both platforms. Thunderbolt 3 does not work for MacBooks, only MacBook Pros.