Thunderbolt 3 Dock vs Thunderbolt 3 Monitor

[groove-agent]

Hello all,

I currently have an UltraWide TB2 monitor and am looking to get a simple solution where I can just connect one TB3 cable and have access to all my peripherals from my 16" MBP. I was thinking about going a different direction with a TB3 dock for the following advantages:

1. the dock could be mounted under the desk so that most of the cables are hidden
2. docks usually have more ports than what you might find on a TB3 monitor
3. monitor upgrades in the future are cheaper as they would simply be HDMI and not TB3

My concern with using a TB3 dock over a TB3 monitor is the performance of the graphics either while using things such as Final Cut or casual gaming. I'm hoping that the dock will use the MBP GPU and not its own chip but I'm not sure of this.

Could someone suggest a TB3 dock that they prefer?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stephen.R]

UltraWide TB2 monitor

I guess you meant TB3.

monitor upgrades in the future are cheaper as they would simply be HDMI and not TB3

Advice for current & future you, if you want to go this route: get a Dock that supports DisplayPort out, and later use any replacement display via DisplayPort. You'll be rewarded by less weird issues.

My concern with using a TB3 dock over a TB3 monitor is the performance of the graphics either while using things such as Final Cut or casual gaming. I'm hoping that the dock will use the MBP GPU and not its own chip but I'm not sure of this.

A TB3 dock doesn't have a GPU. In terms of your TB3 display connected to it, it just transfers DisplayPort stream from one to the other.

 

[Stephen.R]

Could someone suggest a TB3 dock that they prefer?

That will entirely depend on what other types of ports you want, other features like charging, your budget, design aesthetics, etc.

 

[AHuber55]

The only advice I have is that myself, and several others I know have never had success with TB3 docks that can also charge the MB.

I think they thing they have all suffered failures from is heat. If you have most of the peripherals used up AND charging the computer they get HOT

I would suggest going with a passive one that doesn’t require external power.

 

[groove-agent]

I guess you meant TB3.


Advice for current & future you, if you want to go this route: get a Dock that supports DisplayPort out, and later use any replacement display via DisplayPort. You'll be rewarded by less weird issues.


A TB3 dock doesn't have a GPU. In terms of your TB3 display connected to it, it just transfers DisplayPort stream from one to the other.

Thanks for your reply. Actually I have an LG TB2 UltraWide and am looking to upgrade to something that's TB3 now that I have a TB3 MBP.

 

[DeepIn2U]

The only advice I have is that myself, and several others I know have never had success with TB3 docks that can also charge the MB.

I think they thing they have all suffered failures from is heat. If you have most of the peripherals used up AND charging the computer they get HOT

I would suggest going with a passive one that doesn’t require external power.

I'm using an HP Thunderbolt G2 Dock (TB3, and its 120W). This powers my:
iPad Pro 11" '18
HP EliteBook 840 G5/G6/G7 notebook and uses DisplayPort to external basic monitor 1920x1080. Yes I know not a MBP but it should be able to charge Intel based 13"/15" models and slowly charge the 16" models, along with M1 13" MBP.

HP G2 120W Dock:
2x DisplayPort Out
1x TB3 connection.
3x USB-A 3.1 connections (one provides power).
2x USB-C 3.2 (1x PD / both are DisplayPort Alternative so video carries out).
My MAJOR grip with this dock is audio from iPad Pro is routed out to nothing. There is no audio jack.

I've tried using an MSI Optix MAG301CR 30" monitor but that is JUNK and its going back.

​

SO you'll want to fully research a dock that provides minimum 120W, DisplayPort connections, HDMI and a few USB A and USB-C and card reader. Hope this helps in your search out there.

Personally I'd rather have an UltraWide that'll handle USB-C from iPad Pro, TB3/4 connections and can act as a hub. This way I can either switch between iPad Pro and laptop or co-mingle outbound displays from both in separated windows on the LCD.