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Docking station

V

vjicecool

macrumors 6502
Original poster
I have Macbook pro 16inch, late 2016 model which has stouchbar
I am looking to buy a dock which can connect with dual monitors ( MBP closed), both dual monitors has DP port cables.

also is there a dock which i can use for windows and macbook
 
DisplayLink docks look nice on paper, but are horrible in reality. I have a 2019 MBP (employer supplied) with a DisplayLink dock. If I connect my 27" 4k screen to it, it is a slide-show with a very laggy experience.
USB-C -> displayLink cables are working like a charm.
 
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SjoukeW said:
DisplayLink docks look nice on paper, but are horrible in reality. I have a 2019 MBP (employer supplied) with a DisplayLink dock. If I connect my 27" 4k screen to it, it is a slide-show with a very laggy experience.
USB-C -> displayLink cables are working like a charm.
Click to expand...
"USB-C -> displayLink cables are working like a charm." You recommending USB C dock?
 
USB-C docks with Thunderbolt are OK; thunderbolt is made for display information + other stuff.
The ones with DisplayLink are not good in my opinion. They make a virtual screen in software with drivers etc. Then they encode the captured image on the cpu, requiring a lot of cpu power, then sending the video-stream to the docking station. There it is decoded and put to the monitor. On my work supplied MacBook Pro 15" 2019 I9 it results in a high cpu usage and a 5 fps slide-show which is very slow and unworkable on 4k screens. A 1080p screen does work however.
 
SjoukeW said:
USB-C docks with Thunderbolt are OK; thunderbolt is made for display information + other stuff.
The ones with DisplayLink are not good in my opinion. They make a virtual screen in software with drivers etc. Then they encode the captured image on the cpu, requiring a lot of cpu power, then sending the video-stream to the docking station. There it is decoded and put to the monitor. On my work supplied MacBook Pro 15" 2019 I9 it results in a high cpu usage and a 5 fps slide-show which is very slow and unworkable on 4k screens. A 1080p screen does work however.
Click to expand...
Any brand and model recommendation?
 
I've tried a whole bunch of docks, and to date the best "dock" I've used has been this Dell Ultrasharp monitor that has USB-C and a few built in USB ports. I have a couple of laptops I swap between + I have a desktop plugged in as well, and I can swap seamlessly between all three without any issues. To date it's the only "dock" I've found that works this smoothly, downside being that the RRP on these monitors is a bit ridiculous although you can often find them 20-30% off.
 
Do you have a specific Windows computer you'd like to connect? If so, what kind of connectors does it have? There are plenty of Thunderbolt docks that will work with your Mac, but not all Windows computers have Thunderbolt.
 
Agree with others. If all you need is to connect the monitors, I think it's easy / cheaper to just get 2 USB-C to DisplayPort cables (can get them easily on Newegg or Amazon), and just plug them into the 2 TB3 ports on one side of your 16" MBP.

Now, if you need a dock for other purposes (have other peripherals / external drives, etc.) or really want a "1 cable solution" (ie. maybe if you'll be disconnecting/reconnecting the MBP to this desk and monitors frequently so only having to disconnect/reconnect 1 cable instead of 2 every time might be worth it in itself). If that's the case, I would still recommend getting a dock that has max 1 DisplayPort out for monitors (vs 2), and is primarily a Thunderbolt/USB-C hub. You could then connect one directly to DisplayPort and another with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable (only need 1 this time).

But unless you *need* a dock, I personally don't think the money it'll cost to get a good hub is worth it, especially when you're optimizing for a 6yr old MBP.
 
coolguy4747 said:
Do you have a specific Windows computer you'd like to connect? If so, what kind of connectors does it have? There are plenty of Thunderbolt docks that will work with your Mac, but not all Windows computers have Thunderbolt.
Click to expand...
i have work windows laptop which i carry home. i have two monitors (they have display ports, one LG 2K and one Dell 4k). i am thinking of using the dock( where laptop lid is closed)

i also have MBP 2016.

ii would like to buy a dock which can be used for both

i have a offbrand SIIG dock for windows laptop and its not good. it glitches and goes on and off some times for no reason.
 
vjicecool said:
i have work windows laptop which i carry home. i have two monitors (they have display ports, one LG 2K and one Dell 4k). i am thinking of using the dock( where laptop lid is closed)

i also have MBP 2016.

ii would like to buy a dock which can be used for both

i have a offbrand SIIG dock for windows laptop and its not good. it glitches and goes on and off some times for no reason.
Click to expand...
What kind of connectors does the Windows laptop have? That will impact your choices if you want it to work with both Mac and Windows laptops.
 
coolguy4747 said:
What kind of connectors does the Windows laptop have? That will impact your choices if you want it to work with both Mac and Windows laptops.
Click to expand...
the current laptop have one display port connection
i have requested for upgrade which wil take a month or two. i not sure what laptop they willl provide for now.

i have one more question : i have seen above mentioned caldigit docks (ts3 and ts4). the dock have network port on the back side. does this mean if we connect network port to network cable and connect the dock to computer, wil dock aso provide internet?
 
vjicecool said:
the current laptop have one display port connection
i have requested for upgrade which wil take a month or two. i not sure what laptop they willl provide for now.

i have one more question : i have seen above mentioned caldigit docks (ts3 and ts4). the dock have network port on the back side. does this mean if we connect network port to network cable and connect the dock to computer, wil dock aso provide internet?
Click to expand...
Yes.
 
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