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best dock etc for M1 MacBook Air

wfriedwald

wfriedwald

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 1, 2017
536
48
hey, this is an expansion and variation on a question I asked three months ago.

If I want to use my M1 macbook air as a desktop - can anyone recommend a hub / dock / or other device that can:

- use at least one additional display (that is, the built in display + 1 or even two more?)

- more importantly, I use a ton of external drives, I usually have at least 3-4 connected to do my work at any given moment. These are all USB3.

- also external cameras, mic's, trackpad etc. (I guess those are all USB2)

I know this is a lot to ask of a MacBook air. but I am asking. (someone recommended displaylink, I will look into that.)

thanks in advance for feedback

w
 
Dell UD22 is probably your best bet. It uses DisplayLink so you can have more than 2 external displays. The dock has 6 USB ports each with up to 10 Gbps.
 
oh thank you! I must look into that.

6 USB3 ports? that's pretty awesome. I was thinking of HDMI outputs for the monitors, but DisplayLink will work too, of course.

this may be the one to get. thanks very much.

w
 
I asked something similar at https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-air-m2-2022-two-displays-with-tb4-dock.2395783/, and it does appear that to run two monitors, you have to install the DisplayLink software and use a DisplayLink compatible adapter or dock. If you want a dock, then I suggest a USB-C DisplayLink dock as that avoids the need for an adapter. DisplayLink list certified products here.

I am currently using a Dell WD19TB dock, which is not DisplayLink compatible, and all my attempts with various combos have not worked, getting two external monitors to work in extended mode. I am planning to order a Plugable USB 3.0 to HDMI adaptor (4K) to hopefully resolve the problem.

Down the track, when they become available, I will probably update the dock to a Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 dodck
 
oh thank you!

two more points:

I am also pondering whether or not to purchase the Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4 - according to some reports, it might be even better than the UD22.

However, this report from two years ago says that these docks do NOT work correctly with the M1? I have to assume that the issue has since been fixed by either Apple or Dell, but does anyone have any familiarity with this issue?


thank you again!

w

PS: by George you are correct, here it is for under $200 -
tinyurl.com

Dell Universal Dock UD22 Black

130 W - 2 Displays Supported - 1 x HDMI Ports - HDMI - DisplayPort - Black - Wired
tinyurl.com
thanks very much!
 
Last edited:
wfriedwald said:
oh thank you!

two more points:

I am also pondering whether or not to purchase the Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4 - according to some reports, it might be even better than the UD22.

However, this report from two years ago says that these docks do NOT work correctly with the M1? I have to assume that the issue has since been fixed by either Apple or Dell, but does anyone have any familiarity with this issue?
Click to expand...

I have the WD22TB4. It is a better dock in some ways because it uses Thunderbolt, which means the USB ports are faster - up to 40 Gbps. However, since you have a MacBook Air, if you get this dock, it will not support more than one external monitor due to limitations of the M1/M2 processor.

The UD22 supports four external monitors but the USB ports are slower at 10 Gbps. However, due to way the dock works to by pass the limitation of the M1/M2 processor, certain types of HDCP content (e.g. Netflix) may not play when the dock is connected.

Do you prefer multi monitor support (UD22) or faster USB-C (WD22TB4)?
 
Last edited:
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oh man, that's tough! although I can probably / possibly get by with only one external monitor, though a couple of times a week or so I have a need for three displays. (But not every day!)

how to choose?
 
wfriedwald said:
oh man, that's tough! although I can probably / possibly get by with only one external monitor, though a couple of times a week or so I have a need for three displays. (But not every day!)

how to choose?
Click to expand...

I'd suggest the UD22 because you can always buy a Thunderbolt hub to plug into the second port on MacBook Air.
 
oh so wait, have the UD22 dock AND a separate THUNDERBOLT HUB? Can you recommend a good example of the latter?

I actually do have this rather modest THUNDERBOLT "dangle" I bought a few months ago...
tinyurl.com

LasAnclas 8-in-1 USB C Docking Station 4K HDMI, 100W PD, 3 USB 3.0, 1Gbps LAN, SD/TF Reader for MacBook Air/Pro, iPad Pro 2021

USB C Hub Ethernet Features: 1.8 in 1 usb c hub multiport adapter: This multiport usb c to usb hub consists of 3*USB 3.0 ports(up to 5.0Gbps data transfer), 1*4K@30HZ HDMI port, 1*100W power delivery fast charging port,1*1000M ethernet port, 1*SD card slot, and 1*TF card slot. This macbook usb c...
tinyurl.com

so if I have two THUNDERBOLT ports, I have the UD22 out of one AND the "USB C Hub Ethernet Multiport Adapter" out of the other, I can have at least two external monitors?

solid! that would work!

thanks again!

w
 
wfriedwald said:
I actually do have this rather modest THUNDERBOLT "dangle" I bought a few months ago...
tinyurl.com

LasAnclas 8-in-1 USB C Docking Station 4K HDMI, 100W PD, 3 USB 3.0, 1Gbps LAN, SD/TF Reader for MacBook Air/Pro, iPad Pro 2021

USB C Hub Ethernet Features: 1.8 in 1 usb c hub multiport adapter: This multiport usb c to usb hub consists of 3*USB 3.0 ports(up to 5.0Gbps data transfer), 1*4K@30HZ HDMI port, 1*100W power delivery fast charging port,1*1000M ethernet port, 1*SD card slot, and 1*TF card slot. This macbook usb c...
tinyurl.com
Click to expand...

A Thunderbolt device is high speed (40 Gbps). The hub you linked to is a cheap hub. If you check the specs, the maximum speed of the USB ports is 5 Gbps. It can support 4K@30Hz video output only which means laggy video. The UD22 has 10 Gbps ports and can support four monitors at 4K@60.

wfriedwald said:
so if I have two THUNDERBOLT ports, I have the UD22 out of one AND the "USB C Hub Ethernet Multiport Adapter" out of the other, I can have at least two external monitors?
Click to expand...

Yes, because the UD22 supports four monitors. The UD22 does everything your existing hub does but better and faster. You don't need your existing hub anymore once you have UD22. The purpose of buying a Thunderbolt 4 hub (linked above) is to extract the full speed from the MacBook Air's Thunderbolt ports. This allows your external USB drives to run at full potential.
 
wfriedwald said:
thank you again.

so, for the second device, I should get a calDigit? I see two,

$80 - https://tinyurl.com/2pvw9ubx

$230 - https://tinyurl.com/2nlpm6er

do you think I need everything in the more expensive one?

Anyhow, thanks again for the input,

w
Click to expand...

If you are really running all your external drives at the same time and transferring data to/from them simultaneously, the $230 hub will be best. This hub will give you the fastest possible speed for your external drives. The UD22 can handle all the low speed stuff (webcam, trackpad, etc.).

The $80 hub almost offers zero benefit in your case. You won't be able to use both HDMI and DisplayPort simultaneously on that hub. (The UD22 already handles your monitors. The Dell dock also charges your MacBook.) For $80, you basically get an SD card reader and one USB-A port. Not good value in this situation since you already will have UD22.
 
okay, so thanks very much. it's going to be rather expensive - about $450 for two docks / hubs - but worth it if I can do what I want! thank you again for your very kind and generous suggestions.

w
 
wfriedwald said:
okay, so thanks very much. it's going to be rather expensive - about $450 for two docks / hubs - but worth it if I can do what I want! thank you again for your very kind and generous suggestions.

w
Click to expand...

It's one of the compromises of the MacBook Air. Apple crippled the M1/M2 chip to encourage customers who need multi-monitors to buy MacBook Pro.

Happy to help!
 
What about the Caldigit plus a DisplayLink adaptor for the second monitor? That would be the approach I would take if you go this way, or as I suggested early on, look for a DisplayLink dock (not hub) that meets your needs. One dock, two external monitors. Down side is they are USB 3, not TB4.

Oh, check B&H Photos prices too. They are often better than Amazon.
 
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thank you JPACK and AUSHIKER both!

so in this scenario, I also get two devices:


1- The CalDigit - $230 - https://tinyurl.com/2nlpm6er

2- and a DisplayLink adaptor - would this work?
Sonnet DisplayLink adaptor - https://tinyurl.com/2murxsla - $100

that's $330 -
of course I am willing to spend the full $450 for the CalDigit AND the UD22 if I need to, and if that combination is really better (especially since I do usually have about 4-5 external USB3 drives running at once.)

thanks again for all these very useful recommendations,

W
 
wfriedwald said:
thank you JPACK and AUSHIKER both!

so in this scenario, I also get two devices:


1- The CalDigit - $230 - https://tinyurl.com/2nlpm6er

2- and a DisplayLink adaptor - would this work?
Sonnet DisplayLink adaptor - https://tinyurl.com/2murxsla - $100

that's $330 -
of course I am willing to spend the full $450 for the CalDigit AND the UD22 if I need to, and if that combination is really better (especially since I do usually have about 4-5 external USB3 drives running at once.)

thanks again for all these very useful recommendations,

W
Click to expand...

Aushiker has a good suggestion to save some money. I'd modify the shopping list as below.

For the DisplayLink adapter, I'd suggest the 2 x DisplayPort version as it has a better connector compared to HDMI. Only the cheapest monitors lack DisplayPort. The Echo 11 dock has Ethernet which I think is really important for any computer being used as a desktop.

Sonnet DisplayLink USB Type-A to Dual DisplayPort Adapter ($90)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1673761-REG/sonnet_usb3_ddp4k_dual_4k_60hz_displayport.html

Sonnet Echo 11 Thunderbolt 4 Dock ($200)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1645164-REG/sonnet_echo_dk11_t4_echo_11_thunderbolt_4.html
 
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thank you! I have to figure out if all my (three monitors) have a DisplayPort port ... but this does seem like the way to go, yes!

again, thanks for all the very helpful suggestions,


W
 
Just a note, the third monitor would have be driven through the Thunderbolt 4 dock and use one of the USB-C ports there.

www.amazon.com

Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort 1.4 Cable (USB-C to DisplayPort Cable, USB C to DP Cable) Supporting 8K 60Hz in Black 6 ft - Thunderbolt 4 /USB4 /Thunderbolt 3 Compatible with MacBook Pro Dell XPS

Experience Vivid 4K Video over DisplayPort The Cable Matters USB Type-C to DisplayPort Cable supports the newest release computers and smartphones with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 up to 4K 60Hz UHD display monitors with DisplayPort. Experience the vibrant video and authentic audio supported by monitor...
www.amazon.com
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
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wfriedwald said:
However, this report from two years ago says that these docks do NOT work correctly with the M1? I have to assume that the issue has since been fixed by either Apple or Dell, but does anyone have any familiarity with this issue?
Click to expand...
I have two Dell WD22TB4 docks. One in the office and one at home, both connected with a bunch of devices and monitors. I just carry my MBP 16" (M1 Pro) and plug in either of these and work seemlessly.

So far, after over a year (since May 2022), they continue working without any major issues. But one thing worth to mention is that the dock has a fan. It could spin up most of the time. As the MBP is virtually silent, the fan noise is noticeable, especially if you have senstive ears. It's a low pitch noise, less than 35dB. Doesn't bother me much. But your mielage may vary.
 
I have a iVANKY docking station for my M1 MBA and have a external monitor on it, AOC U32P2CA (32" 4K), and a Logitech C920S cam external drives, speakers etc on it and it has been working great for me.

www.amazon.com

iVANKY FusionDock 1 MacBook Pro Docking Station with 150W Power Adapter, 12-in-2 Dual 4K@60Hz Monitor Dock for MacBook M1/M2/M3 Pro/Max Display Dock 2HDMI 2.0, 96W PD, 6 USB, Ethernet SD/TF Audio

iVANKY FusionDock 1 MacBook Pro Docking Station with 150W Power Adapter, 12-in-2 Dual 4K@60Hz Monitor Dock for MacBook M1/M2/M3 Pro/Max Display Dock 2HDMI 2.0, 96W PD, 6 USB, Ethernet SD/TF Audio
www.amazon.com
 
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