Can anyone recommend a USB-C Dock/Hub for the new Macbook Pro?

[neoelectronaut]

My girlfriend and I are getting married in January and we'll be moving into our own place together. We both use iMacs; I have a 2010 27" iMac and she has a 2012 21.5" iMac. In attempt to downsize we're going to both pick up flavors of Macbooks and use those for our computery needs.

However, I'd like to potentially have a small station ready for use with a display, keyboard and mouse for either of us to use if we need a bigger screen. Can anyone recommend a USB-C based dock for the Macbook series that will allow me to set all of that up and have it accessible via single cable?

 

[JTToft]

You should probably go for Thunderbolt 3 rather than just USB-C. I don't think any good ones exist yet in a Thunderbolt 3 variant.

 

[3JL]

Some options, but no experience with either of them:
https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/Laptop-docking-stations/thunderbolt-3-laptop-dock~TB3DK2DPW
http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F4U095/

They wouldn't work for me though.. I would also need an hdmi port.

 

[Duane Martin]

You should probably go for Thunderbolt 3 rather than just USB-C. I don't think any good ones exist yet in a Thunderbolt 3 variant.

Well, except the MacBook doesn't support Thunderbolt 3 so that really shouldn't be a consideration.

NOTE: This response is only directed to the MacBook, not the newly announced MacBook Pros which have other considerations.

For the safety of your MacBook I would go with one of the larger manufactures. I like the CalDigit USB-C dock but think the OWC USB-C dock will likely be good as well once it ships. Take a look at the connections each dock supports to help you decide.

PC Mag actually published an article for the new MacBook Pro but it is already out-of-date and contains some factual errors. Still, gives a bigger sense of what is out there.

BTW, docks are the greatest thing for making any laptop truly portable again.

 

[JTToft]

Well, except the MacBook doesn't support Thunderbolt 3 so that really shouldn't be a consideration.

- Which is true, but this thread is about the 2016 MacBook Pros.

 

[Duane Martin]

- Which is true, but this thread is about the 2016 MacBook Pros.

Well would you look at that. I read his original question and not the title of the thread. Mea culpa.

That said, it is starting to look like some/all(?) USB-C docks will support Thunderbolt 3 pass-through (i.e. Arc dock and Caldigit USB-C dock both imply that) so I am not certain there is a clearly defined difference.

Lots of new info coming out over the next couple weeks, I am sure.

 

[JTToft]

That said, it is starting to look like some/all(?) USB-C docks will support Thunderbolt 3 pass-through (i.e. Arc dock and Caldigit USB-C dock both imply that) so I am not certain there is a clearly defined difference.

- There is a large difference in support for external displays, where a plain USB-C dock can't do above 4K 30 Hz without sacrificing other areas, while a Thunderbolt 3 dock can to 2 x 4K 60 Hz or 1 x 5K 60 Hz.

For simple uses such as a USB hub, Ethernet, and low-resolution displays, though, there won't be much difference in practice.