CES 2023: Plugable's New Thunderbolt 4 Dock for MacBook Pro Features 16 Ports

[MacRumors]

Plugable today unveiled a new Thunderbolt 4 dock that is ideal for use with the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The dock features 16 ports and will be available to purchase for $299 on Amazon starting January 17.

The dock is equipped with six USB-A ports (three 10 Gbps, two 5 Gbps, and one 480 Mbps), two USB-C ports (one 10 Gbps and one that provides up to 100W of charging to a MacBook Pro or other device connected), two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, an Ethernet port (2.5 Gbps), SD and microSD card readers (UHS-II), and an audio in/out jack. The dock has a separate power supply and connects to a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt 4 cable.

The dock can be used to connect up to two 4K displays at 60Hz to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

A variety of brands have released Thunderbolt 4 docks for the Mac over the past few years, including OWC, CalDigit, Belkin, Satechi, and others. The selection of ports and pricing varies for each dock, so it may be worth shopping around.

Plugable also introduced an 11-in-1 USB-C hub, available now for $79 on Amazon. The hub can be used with the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and other Apple devices equipped with USB-C ports. Plugable will showcase both the Thunderbolt 4 dock and USB-C hub at the CES 2023 event Pepcom in Las Vegas later today.

Article Link: CES 2023: Plugable's New Thunderbolt 4 Dock for MacBook Pro Features 16 Ports

 

[robbietop]

I would like to see a USB-C Dock, with more than FOUR (4) (Quatro) (Quatre) USB-C ports. None of my devices connect with USB-A anymore.

Or are we just slapping Micro-SD on everything and it sells?

 

[cb3]

So many ports, so little time.

 

[Macintosh Quadra 840av]

Exactly what I've been looking for. Most don't have 100W power. Reaching out to have one sent my way now.

 

[Mac_i_Am]

Shouldn't there be 4x USB-C ports instead of USB-A?

 

[mediacomposer]

why is the host on the front? that's sooooo dumb - looks like I'll stick with my caldigit for a bit longer

 

[MSean101]

Does anyone know if the power button actually works for a docked Mac? It'd be nice to be able to turn on my MacBook Pro without actually opening it up. I've seen docks with power buttons before, but the functionality always seems to be limited to Windows PCs.

 

[TheWatchfulOne]

why is the host on the front? that's sooooo dumb - looks like I'll stick with my caldigit for a bit longer

Agreed, and why can't the audio connections be on the back also?

CalDigit for the win!

 

[jezbd1997]

Shouldn't there be 4x USB-C ports instead of USB-A?

thinking the same thing… half of my devices are still usb-a but i’m trying to get new cables (hard drives and aw charger etc) so i can fully move to usb-c

 

[NY Guitarist]

I like that the Plugable has 2 DP and 2 HDMI ports.

I guess I got an early version of the CalDigit TS4 with the SD slot only that has a random weird high-pitch oscillating squealing sound that goes away when I unplug and replug the power. It sits on my desk so the squeal drives me crazy.

 

[sfwalter]

I'm guessing $400 when its released.

 

[pete1]

Why do these hubs have lots of USB-A ports, but never have a good amount of USB-C ports? Is there a technical reason such as available bandwidth? More and more of my devices are USB-C now.

 

[zubikov]

This is such a short-sighted design. It's 2023 an your flagship TB4 dock has 1 extra USB-C port?

 

[MaverickCC]

Why do these hubs have lots of USB-A ports, but never have a good amount of USB-C ports? Is there a technical reason such as available bandwidth? More and more of my devices are USB-C now.

Yes I remember reading in the current usb-c spec they can't do splitting, only daisy chain. The next version will address this I think.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

I'm guessing $400 when its released.

"The dock features 16 ports and will be available to purchase for $299 on Amazon starting January 17."

 

[anthony13]

I’m constantly out of usb-c ports, I really just need a usb c hub (which I realize is a different type of product) and I feel like there’s a big lack of quality usb c hubs on the market.

 

[erikkfi]

why is the host on the front? that's sooooo dumb - looks like I'll stick with my caldigit for a bit longer

Underrated observation here. What a profoundly, painfully stupid design choice.

 

[ignatius345]

Yes I remember reading in the current usb-c spec they can't do splitting, only daisy chain. The next version will address this I think.

Seems like such a big flaw for everyday usability in a port that was supposed to replace USB-A.

When I got my M1 iMac I naively thought I could just buy a big old USB-C version of the hub I had on my old iMac, but quickly discovered they basically don't exist. I'm glad I got the iMac with four USB-C ports so I can keep a few things plugged in.

 

[rpmurray]

Every dock like this has a ton of USB-A ports and like one single USB-C port. I thought we were all saying goodbye to USB-A?

We'll have to wait for the EU to codify that into law.

 

[Mad Pierre]

Why do these hubs have lots of USB-A ports, but never have a good amount of USB-C ports? Is there a technical reason such as available bandwidth? More and more of my devices are USB-C now.

Agreed. I don't care what the issue is, this is 2023 mostly accepting incoming connections from a decade ago. I went Caldigit for this reason.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

Why not 10GBS?

 

[JMStearnsX2]

I'd also like to know why no docks that I can find have a 10g (base10) ethernet port? Are 10g ethernet parts THAT expensive? Looking at 10g Thunderbolt adapters, they are as expensive as this whole dock, some are more. And they are big. How does the Mac Studio have it without having that much hardware inside?

 

[MrMojo1]

"Plugable Thunderbolt™ 4 & USB4 Quad Display Docking Station with 98W Charging
List Price: $299.00.
The TBT4-UDZ is available for pre-order now on Amazon and will be released on January 17th."

4 Screens in 4K With Plugable’s 16-in-1 Dock

As announced at CES, the Thunderbolt Certified 16-in-1 Quad Display docking station from Plugable delivers 4K performance on up to four screens.

plugable.com

It's also compatible with Windows.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Looking at 10g Thunderbolt adapters, they are as expensive as this whole dock, some are more. And they are big. How does the Mac Studio have it without having that much hardware inside?

We only think that giant copper heatsink is for cooling the CPU.

 

[chipsandsalsa]

These 4k 60hz display connects are always disappointing. As a person with two 32inch monitors with refresh rates north of 120hz, give me more speed!