CES 2023: OWC's New Thunderbolt 4 Dock for Mac Features Built-In Power Supply

[ilyakapitan]

It's insane it's still windows only. I have just been shutting my work computer down everyday with a keyboard maestro macro.

It's not windows only, it requires windows machine for the firmware installation because the updater is only available on windows at the moment. So I assume if you'll find a PC and install a new firmware then all your problems should go away.

 

[Jigga Beef]

It's not windows only, it requires windows machine for the firmware installation because the updater is only available on windows at the moment. So I assume if you'll find a PC and install a new firmware then all your problems should go away.

Yes sorry I oversimplified you need a windows machine with a thunderbolt port. I asked if i could use my windows 11 VM in Parallels but It has to be a true PC. As of now my shut down and power up macros have been working OK I actually forgot about the annoyance until i Saw this theard. I have a pal with a nice windows machine I may reach out to him

 

[aknabi]

I’ve found OWC docks to glitch a lot more than CalDigit, with Elgato being even worse.

I'm done with OWC... spent over a grand on their USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 docks to have them go sideways and become bricks after I update either my Mac or macOS... latest that just happened is my OWC TB3 dock has stopped working after updating my M1 Max MBP16 to Ventura... either doesn't do anything (with the Belkin cable) or flips out (with Apple cables)... have to use my Blackmagic eGPU as a very hungry TB dock (WTF).

Why OH WHY can't Apple make a dock that users will know will be thoroughly tested with their ecosystem over time and have the backing... sure it'd cost $499+, but I'd pay that premium knowing it's gonna work for years

 

[joevt]

I'm done with OWC... spent over a grand on their USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 docks to have them go sideways and become bricks after I update either my Mac or macOS...

Not sure why you blame OWC when it was your update of Apple's Mac or macOS that caused the problem.

have to use my Blackmagic eGPU as a very hungry TB dock (WTF)

Does the OWC work when connected to Blackmagic eGPU downstream Thunderbolt port? I am wondering if the OWC behaves better when connected to the Thunderbolt port of an Intel Thunderbolt controller chip (in the eGPU) vs the Thunderbolt port of Apple's Thunderbolt controller (in the M1 Max).

 

[aknabi]

Not sure why you blame OWC when it was your update of Apple's Mac or macOS that caused the problem.


Does the OWC work when connected to Blackmagic eGPU downstream Thunderbolt port? I am wondering if the OWC behaves better when connected to the Thunderbolt port of an Intel Thunderbolt controller chip (in the eGPU) vs the Thunderbolt port of Apple's Thunderbolt controller (in the M1 Max).

Indeed good point... frustration in general... and yeah this one is on Apple... given clearly the specs/protocols have enough wiggle that this nonsense happens Apple should make a dock (I'd say the rant is really the last sentence of my post)... or work with a vendor like OWC (as the did with Blackmagic)

On the other hand as a premium product OWC should keeping up with updates and either have notices or firmware updates on their site (I check there often)... otherwise might as well buy the cheap stuff...

Will try your suggestion... though I'd like to get the eGPU out of the equation as I don't use that external GPU and it consumes a lot of power.

Thanks for the solid reply.