Review: Satechi's Thunderbolt 4 Dock Expands Mac Connectivity

[joecomo]

The thing is, you do not use the full available TB bandwidth of the MBP, which is why you can make the (untrue for folks who need full bandwidth) statement: "Unplugging and plugging four different devices every time one arrives or leaves a location is outmoded."

I agree docks are useful, and have several. However a dock only has access to the TB bandwidth of the one TB port that it is plugged into. But folks who need bandwidth need all four TB ports on their MBPs.

Note that having four TB ports does not mean plugging them all in when and IF one can get by with less by using docks, but some folks may need all four TB ports, likely some with docks in them. Mostly that happens when an MBP is in desktop replacement mode rather than in road warrior mode. The ability to do both is why some of us spend $4k+ to buy the top MBPs; otherwise we might buy a Studio or Mac Pro + MBA instead. The reason I have not personally gone the Studio+MBA route is because of issues around database hosting costs ($+complexity) on multiple boxes.

exactly - alone if you have a high-end display and a TB 10 GB/sec ethernet module, you need to plug in two ports.

Now a thunderbolt4 to thunderbolt4 hub would allow me to plug in the 10GB-ethernet and e.g. an SSD and some other stuff and connect them to just 1 TB4 port on my machine.
This would be useful (not because it safes me the work of plugging in one additional TB4 port) but as it would give me the option to plug in more stuff.

Unfortunately as far as I know nobody builds this - instead they built big chunky things with Display Port, HDMI all variants of SD-Cards and other legacy stuff.

Does anyone know of a TB4 -> 3-4 TB4 hub, that just does this?

 

[AdriftAtlas]

Even worse, looking at the vendor ID, this appears to be a Realtek RTL8153 ethernet NIC. Often these only reach 750MBit/s to 900MBit/s in practice and put a lot of load on a CPU core, because they use the ancient USB CDC-ECM class.

I have this dock and yes it does use the horrible RTL8153 chipset. I bought a USB-A 2.5G NIC that uses RTL8156 and connected it to the back of the dock. Problem solved.

Alxum 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, 2.5 Gigabit Network Adapter with RTL8156B up to 2.5G 2500Mpbs, Backward Compatible on 1Gbps/100Mbps, Aluminum Case

Alxum USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A to 2.5Gbps Ethernet Converter

www.amazon.com

While the dock is not perfect, it can often be bought for $240 when Satechi has a 20% off sale. That's a lot better than paying $380 for a CalDigit TS4 which is often out of stock.

 

[jlc1978]

If it isn’t worth addressing at this price point then it isn’t worth addressing at all.

Not sure what your point is. Having an Ethernet port that has minimal impact on the price adds flexibility to the dock while still hitting a price point. Adding faster connectivity, that most people don't need, with a cost and price increase would not make business sense.

There is very little gain to be had from 1Gbps Ethernet, certainly not enough to bother.

and even less, going to faster speeds, for most users.

Having the ability to directly connect to your router allows you to get the most ut of your connection. This box is not targeted at users where speed is critical, but rather a mass market of WFH and general office users for whom 1 Gbps is more than enough; and in many cases likely not even to have 1 Gbps service nor and extensive in home LAN.

A company buying a lot of these, or even an individual buying for their own use, will care more about paying an additional 80 or so Euros / dollars than Ethernet speed; and that is the market it is aimed at.

 

[danieldk]

While the dock is not perfect, it can often be bought for $240 when Satechi has a 20% off sale. That's a lot better than paying $380 for a CalDigit TS4 which is often out of stock.

Sure, but there are other options for similar prices. My most recent purchase was a StarTech TB3 dock with an Intel I210. Worker great and the price was really good. Watch out though, StarTech also has many docks with crappy Realtek NICs.

 

[diegofmonteiro]

Is it possible to connect to Mac Mini M1 or M2? How is the power supply if it is possible to connect? Should I plug in just the power cord for the THUNDERBOLT 4 DOCK or mac mini together?
Thanks

 

[jlc1978]

Is it possible to connect to Mac Mini M1 or M2? How is the power supply if it is possible to connect? Should I plug in just the power cord for the THUNDERBOLT 4 DOCK or mac mini together?
Thanks

I am not sure which dock you are referring to; but I have a Kensington dock that powers my M1 MBP just fine. Dock power supply plugs into dock, my MBP uses the USB-C port from the dock to a USB-C Port on the MBP. Could also use MagSafe USB-C but the USB cord doubles as the data line for hard drives connected to the dock.

 

[diegofmonteiro]

I am not sure which dock you are referring to; but I have a Kensington dock that powers my M1 MBP just fine. Dock power supply plugs into dock, my MBP uses the USB-C port from the dock to a USB-C Port on the MBP. Could also use MagSafe USB-C but the USB cord doubles as the data line for hard drives connected to the dock.

this same model of the Review Test