Macbook Pro with ThunderBolt Dock A Solid Solution?

[Chevron]

I am seriously considering moving from my Tower to the new 16" MacBook M1 Max. One thing that I often wonder is how solid and realistic is it to run a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt Dock?

Particularly if you are likely to use 5 USB A ports, 2 USB C ports and Ethernet all at the same time for MIDI controllers, hard drives, DAW control surfaces plus power to the MacBook etc etc?

The OWC ThunderBolt 3 Dock looks like something that could work for me.

How do you guys get on with these ThunderBolt Docks?

 

[Ethras]

Would also be interested in a docking station supporting up to 3 external monitors (for my incoming Macbook Pro 16 m1 Max) if anyone found one ?

 

[joevt]

I am seriously considering moving from my Tower to the new 16" MacBook M1 Max. One thing that I often wonder is how solid and realistic is it to run a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt Dock?

Particularly if you are likely to use 5 USB A ports, 2 USB C ports and Ethernet all at the same time for MIDI controllers, hard drives, DAW control surfaces plus power to the MacBook etc etc?

The OWC ThunderBolt 3 Dock looks like something that could work for me.

How do you guys get on with these ThunderBolt Docks?

The OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock should be fine. It has 4 USB controllers (two FL1100 4Gbps, one ASM1142 8Gbps, one Alpine Ridge 10Gbps) and a PCIe Ethernet controller. Max bandwidth is ≈22Gbps.

The OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock is another option but it has only one USB controller (Goshen Ridge 10 Gbps) with one USB 10 Gbps port which is probably bypassed since the M1 Macs support USB tunnelling so that the M1 Mac's USB controller is used instead. The M1 Mac's USB controller might not perform as well as the dock's USB controller. All the ports and devices (audio, ethernet, etc) use USB. Everything internally is connected to a couple USB hubs, one hub connected to the first hub which is connected to the one USB port. The max total bandwidth is 10 Gbps but at least all the ports are 10 Gbps.

I don't think bandwidth is an issue since you won't be using multiple devices at the same time? Reading and writing use separate lines so you can usually read to one device and write to another at max bandwidth simultaneously.

Would also be interested in a docking station supporting up to 3 external monitors (for my incoming Macbook Pro 16 m1 Max) if anyone found one ?

Thunderbolt docks can usually do two displays.

To do 3 displays requires one display to be connected using DisplayLink. An eGPU would also be an option but is not supported by M1 Macs.

 

[rolling green]

same boat here. seriously considering the razer thunderbolt 4 dock or the owc thunderbolt 4 dock. any recommendations appreciated

 

[MrGunnyPT]

Yep, been using a DELL Thunderbolt 3 for years since it's release. I'm a big fan of them, plus if you need more USB-A just get a USB hub and put it under the table and connect to it via USB-C if the ones in the TB3 dock aren't enough.

 

[PeterJP]

I'm looking at the Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 or Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB Hub. Both are basic TB4 boxes with PD to the laptop. I would expand it with a USB hub. Anker does 85W PD while the Plugable does only 65W, but for a 14", both should be enough.

Both seem to be hard to get at the moment, though. Probably shortage in TB4 chips...

 

[TheFlyingSpaceSider]

I'm also thinking about a dock for my 14" but I'm kinda concered in regards to power delivery (especially when it comes to the 16", which likes to draw over 130w)

 

[joevt]

I'm looking at the Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 or Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB Hub. Both are basic TB4 boxes with PD to the laptop. I would expand it with a USB hub. Anker does 85W PD while the Plugable does only 65W, but for a 14", both should be enough.

Both seem to be hard to get at the moment, though. Probably shortage in TB4 chips...

All the Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docks have similar designs (they all use the same reference design with differently styled enclosures - same ports, same layout, same size).

If you like the small size of the Thunderbolt 4 hubs but want more ports like the Thunderbolt 4 docks, then consider the CalDigit Element Hub. It's design appears to be unique, like their design for the Cal Digit TS3 Plus is unique for Thunderbolt 3 docks.

 

[PeterJP]

If you like the small size of the Thunderbolt 4 hubs but want more ports like the Thunderbolt 4 docks, then consider the CalDigit Element Hub. It's design appears to be unique, like their design for the Cal Digit TS3 Plus is unique for Thunderbolt 3 docks.

Looks like a good hub indeed. But in this forum, many people have problems with devices disconnecting from the TS3. It's why I steered away from CalDigit at first. TB4 hubs seem much simpler than the TB3 hubs that try to provide a port for everyone, so they may be more stable?

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I am using the Anker Apex with my new 14" after using it for several months with the 13" M1

 

[streamtech]

How will charging work with the 16” Pro Max ? Doesn’t that take 120 watts ? Not sure any of the current docks handle that. Presume the MagSafe power connector would have to be used in parallel, which for me kind of defeats the point of using a dock in the first place.

 

[PeterJP]

How will charging work with the 16” Pro Max ? Doesn’t that take 120 watts ? Not sure any of the current docks handle that. Presume the MagSafe power connector would have to be used in parallel, which for me kind of defeats the point of using a dock in the first place.

While the power adapter is 140W, that's mainly for fast charging. I expect the laptop to use well below the 90W the Anker Apex delivers in regular use. In-depth reviews like Anandtech go into this:

In multi-threaded scenarios, the package and wall power vary from 34-43W on package, and wall active power from 40 to 62W.

That's while running CPU benchmarks. With GPU benchmarks, it does 57W (70W wall). While doing both at the same time, it does 92W (120W wall). But that's rather an extreme scenario!

Source: https://www.anandtech.com/show/17024/apple-m1-max-performance-review/3

 

[leeford]

I have a 14inch Max on its way in a few weeks, which gives me time to decide on a dock. I have 3 x DP/HDMI 1440p monitors. I am thinking the Anker Apex would potentially cover this? But what does worry me is it states not compatible with the OG M1.

 

[streamtech]

I can’t imagine I will be doing anything they constantly draws over 100 watts based on that . Thanks.

 

[joevt]

I have a 14inch Max on its way in a few weeks, which gives me time to decide on a dock. I have 3 x DP/HDMI 1440p monitors. I am thinking the Anker Apex would potentially cover this? But what does worry me is it states not compatible with the OG M1.

I think not compatible with OG M1 only means that it can't connect two separate displays? Anyway, you can't connect more than two displays to a Thunderbolt dock unless it includes MST and macOS doesn't support MST for multiple displays.

I don't understand how the Anker works. It must use Goshen Ridge Thunderbolt 4 controller. Usually that would mean there is 3 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, but they used one or two of them for the HDMI outputs leaving only one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port. I would prefer the three Thunderbolt 4 ports for maximum versatility - if you want HDMI then get some USB-C to HDMI adapters. They say it can connect 3 displays for Windows and that the two HDMI ports are mirrored for macOS, so doesn't that mean the HDMI ports are provided by an MST Hub? If so then where's the other Thunderbolt 4 port since the MST Hub would only require one Thunderbolt 4 port?

 

[leeford]

I think not compatible with OG M1 only means that it can't connect two separate displays? Anyway, you can't connect more than two displays to a Thunderbolt dock unless it includes MST and macOS doesn't support MST for multiple displays.

I don't understand how the Anker works. It must use Goshen Ridge Thunderbolt 4 controller. Usually that would mean there is 3 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, but they used one or two of them for the HDMI outputs leaving only one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port. I would prefer the three Thunderbolt 4 ports for maximum versatility - if you want HDMI then get some USB-C to HDMI adapters. They say it can connect 3 displays for Windows and that the two HDMI ports are mirrored for macOS, so doesn't that mean the HDMI ports are provided by an MST Hub? If so then where's the other Thunderbolt 4 port since the MST Hub would only require one Thunderbolt 4 port?

Thanks for this... I guess I will need to connect what I can through a dock, then the remainder using the spare Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Mac itself. It's not massively clear yet

 

[PeterJP]

Some real-world info from the test of the 16" by AppleInsider. They're using an M1Max with 32 GPU cores.

Thunderbolt dock don't lose out, as the new machines can be charged over any of the Thunderbolt ports as well. We've found that the 87W Thunderbolt docks that came out with the 15-inch MacBook Pro still keep the battery charged even under heavy use, but the 60W ones will see a slight drain when the machine is pressed, to the tune of about 2% per hour.

That basically means that any of the docks mentioned here (including the Plugable that does 60W) is sufficient for charging even the most powerful 16", except when you start stressing it. A 14" should not even lose battery when stressed.

 

[Daventry]

Yep, been using a DELL Thunderbolt 3 for years since it's release. I'm a big fan of them, plus if you need more USB-A just get a USB hub and put it under the table and connect to it via USB-C if the ones in the TB3 dock aren't enough.

Is that the Dell w19tb dock? Does it work with M1 Macs?

 

[MrGunnyPT]

Is that the Dell w19tb dock? Does it work with M1 Macs?

Yep exactly of course it works! M1 only gets one monitor though. Currently using with my 14" it's great.

 

[joevt]

Yep exactly of course it works! M1 only gets one monitor though. Currently using with my 14" it's great.

The first M1 Macs only support one display from a Thunderbolt port or dock. The M1 Pro or M1 Max should be able to connect two displays to a dock. In the case of the WD19TB, one display connects to the downstream Thunderbolt port of the dock. The other display connects to one of the four display type ports. The dock contains a three port DisplayPort MST hub where the HDMI port and MFDP (Multi-Function DisplayPort) Type-C port share one of the MST ports. I guess the HDMI port has priority - if a display is connected to it then a display can't be connected to the MFDP Type-C port but the MFDP Type-C port can still be used for USB devices.

 

[PeterJP]

So I just ordered the Caldigit Element Hub, despite my qualms. Reviews here are very positive. The fact that it has 4 extra USB-A ports means that I don't need to buy another USB hub. I was afraid of the price (€300 on Amazon!) but the CalDigit EU shop was very reasonable. Edit: should be here in 3-6 working days.

 

[rolling green]

So I just ordered the Caldigit Element Hub, despite my qualms. Reviews here are very positive. The fact that it has 4 extra USB-A ports means that I don't need to buy another USB hub. I was afraid of the price (€300 on Amazon!) but the CalDigit EU shop was very reasonable. Edit: should be here in 3-6 working days.

Nice. Considering this also. What do you think about the 60W power? Enough to keep a 14” charging while using?

 

[Djrightonbeat]

I am seriously considering moving from my Tower to the new 16" MacBook M1 Max. One thing that I often wonder is how solid and realistic is it to run a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt Dock?

Particularly if you are likely to use 5 USB A ports, 2 USB C ports and Ethernet all at the same time for MIDI controllers, hard drives, DAW control surfaces plus power to the MacBook etc etc?

The OWC ThunderBolt 3 Dock looks like something that could work for me.

How do you guys get on with these ThunderBolt Docks?

OWC thunderbolt 4 Dock DOES NOT WORK WITH M1 MAX , troubleshooted all day with OWC and Apple.

 

[brookter1]

I bought a Caldigit TS3 for a M1 Pro and it seems to work fine, connecting to a LG 4k screen, powering the laptop (at 87W according to Caldigit), ethernet cable, and an assortment of thunderbolt 3, usb c and usb A slots.

The two thunderbolt ports are taken up automatically -- one goes to the laptop, the other to the display, the rest are free, of course.

There's a couple of things I haven't worked out yet (e.g. what's the best way of undocking so that attached disks are unmounted correctly) but I suspect those are present with every dock.

There's a webpage dedicated to Caldigit docs and M1 Pro/Max compatibility (https://www.caldigit.com/caldigit-docks-and-apple-m1-pro-m1-max-compatibility/) if that helps anyone.

 

[PeterJP]

Nice. Considering this also. What do you think about the 60W power? Enough to keep a 14” charging while using?

Absolutely. I have no worries at all about this. See my post on this topic just a few higher up:

Some real-world info from the test of the 16" by AppleInsider. They're using an M1Max with 32 GPU cores.
(...)
That basically means that any of the docks mentioned here (including the Plugable that does 60W) is sufficient for charging even the most powerful 16", except when you start stressing it. A 14" should not even lose battery when stressed.