Toshiba Thunderbolt 3 dock

[unknownmacuser]

An interesting looking thunderbolt 3 dock appeared on the market:
TOSHIBA THUNDERBOLT 3 DOCK (PA5281E-1PRP)
More info here: (http://www.toshiba.eu/accessories/laptops/docking/universal-docking/pa5281e-1prp/)

Unfortunately, in the specification does not write anything about the charging power (via Thunderbolt3 port).
I wonder if the charging power will be enought to charge 15"MBP late 2016 (via TB3)? As you know MBP15" requires 87watt. What do you think? Maybe anyone use this dock along with MBP15"?

 

[campyguy]

What do you think? Maybe anyone use this dock along with MBP15"?

I think it's a non-starter for Mac users. So, no. Quoting directly from the web portal:

System requirements:

• A Toshiba computer with a Thunderbolt™ 3/USB Type-C™ port
• 4 GB memory or higher
• Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit edition)

 

[dyn]

Take those requirements with a grain of salt. It is very common for any brand to only recommend their own brand. In this case it's just one of the many docking stations based on the Intel reference. The only thing to look out for is what chip from Texas Instruments it is using. If it is using the TI82 (which is NOT a TB3 chip according to Texas Instruments) then it is not going to work with macOS (it will work in Windows 10). For it to work in macOS it will need to have the proper chip that is actually designed for TB3: the TI83.

 

[oldoneeye]

Take those requirements with a grain of salt. It is very common for any brand to only recommend their own brand. In this case it's just one of the many docking stations based on the Intel reference. The only thing to look out for is what chip from Texas Instruments it is using. If it is using the TI82 (which is NOT a TB3 chip according to Texas Instruments) then it is not going to work with macOS (it will work in Windows 10). For it to work in macOS it will need to have the proper chip that is actually designed for TB3: the TI83.

[doublepost=1531472430][/doublepost]I have one of these on a 2018 MBP. It drives two displays (one via HDMI and one via DP). The only issue I have is that when I disconnect it and reconnect - one of the displays becomes unstable. A reboot fixes things, but it is irritating. I don't know if this is because of a faulty dock or because of the mac ... FWIW

 

[mattcurrie]

This thread is the only mention I could find online about using this dock with a Mac so I thought I'd add my experience for others.

I'm using it successfully with a 16 inch 2021 MacBook Pro with the Apple M1 Pro chip.

I have it set up driving dual monitors:
- DELL P2415Q doing 4K @ 60Hz, using a DisplayPort 1.4 cable
- DELL P2414H doing 1080p @ 60Hz, using an HDMI cable with passive HDMI->DVI converter

Ethernet works well, tested at 1Gbps.

Audio jack on the front sounds good with external speakers plugged in and allows for controlling the volume via the keyboard, or in the sound menubar item (this was not possible previously when using audio via DELL monitor).

Power delivery is only 45W, but this seems to charge the laptop fine (if slowly) with my normal usage.

I found the Mini DisplayPort output to be very finicky which is why I am not using that. I could only get 1080p from it on the DELL P2415Q when I used an old mDP to DP cable that I've previously used to get 4K @ 60Hz on my 2015 MBP. On the DELL P2414H I had the system crash trying to wake from sleep when only that monitor was connected via mDP output, and it wouldn't work at with that mDP to DP cable at all when a 2nd monitor was connected via the DP output.

 

[dr34mc4st3r]

I just got a refurbished same dock as well. Everything seem to work ok with my MBP 16" but not sure if 45W charging will be a problem in the long run. Going to monitor for a while more. The amount of ports on this dock is really great, shame the power delivery is low.

 

[Bob325]

I would also like to add a positive experience with this TOSHIBA Thunderbolt 3 Dock (PA5281E-1PRP). I just got refurbished, and everything is working ok with my MBP 13" M1. Charging power is only 45W, like on the Apple adapter for MBA M1, so it's not a deal breaker here. Everything else including Gigabit ethernet, dual display setup and USB ports work as expected. Recommendations for usage with Mac computers!

 

[spronkey]

I picked up the same dock based on comments here, but am having trouble getting dual displays to work. I've tried DP + HDMI, DP + mDP, HDMI + mDP, but no matter what I do I can only seem to get *one* of the two displays working with my 16" MBP M1 Max.

@mattcurrie , @Bob325 can either of you tell me what the Link Speed is under System Information -> Thunderbolt / USB4 for your toshiba dock?

 

[Bob325]

 

[Bob325]

I picked up the same dock based on comments here, but am having trouble getting dual displays to work. I've tried DP + HDMI, DP + mDP, HDMI + mDP, but no matter what I do I can only seem to get *one* of the two displays working with my 16" MBP M1 Max.

@mattcurrie , @Bob325 can either of you tell me what the Link Speed is under System Information -> Thunderbolt / USB4 for your toshiba dock?

Also, check if this can help:

How to connect two or more external displays to an M1, M2, M3 or M4 MacBook

Get around Apple's annoying M1/M2/M3 Mac single-display limitation via software and adapters

www.macworld.com

 

[spronkey]

Aha, thanks @Bob325, I suspect a new cable will sort it for me then as this one appears to be a 20gbps one and not the original cable.

 

[charlyolegue]

Hi,
I'im looking for this Toshiba dock PA5281E.
I was wondering what kind of usb speed it is, specially for the 2 usb-c ports ?

Do you have more screen shot (system information) with the usb speeds ?

Under system information -> ethernet what kind of BUS do you have ? pci or usb ?

My moniteur is plugged with an usb-c cable, do you think it's suitable with this dock ?

Thank you

 

[spronkey]

Never actually confirmed this, but - I can confirm that this dock works with both a 16" M1 Max and a 16" M2 Max with dual 1440p 75Hz displays (one via mDP --> DP and one via HDMI), ethernet, audio, and charging (albeit slow - but there have really only been a few times I've watched the battery drain). It's been pretty reliable too, with only the occasional issue where one monitor won't power up after sleep.

It does require a 40Gbps cable - mine was used and supplied with a 20Gbps cable and did not light up both monitors until I swapped out the cable.

 

[Airworks]

I had one of these lying around and everything works except when i plug a Lacie drive and OWC ssd into the front two usb-c ports neither will work but the stuff plugged into the usb-a at the back work fine?

 

[dawidos33]

Hi, im looking for dock for mac book pro a1990 with i9 9880h. I need to connect 2 monitors, pref to use DP / HDMI, charger, i need min 3x usb 2.0, min 1x usb 3.0+, Rj45, and headphones entry would be nice Is this one fits with it? Or maybe can you reccomend me other model?