USB-C dock development must be challenging

[Admiral]

I placed a pre-order for the US$129 Other World Computing USB-C dock in July, at which time the website said "Shipping in October 2015". Earlier this month that date slipped to November 2015 (and the price increased to US$159). Today I dropped in on that site and saw that the shipping date is now listed as "January 2016". I'm beginning to think we'll see the Retina MacBook refreshed before anyone has a dock shipping. And that's a shame, as I like to use an external monitor with a dock.

 

[maflynn]

That sort of behavior is not surprising unfortunately. I think similar circumstances played out when Thunderbolt was first rolled out. While USB-C is more universal its still very new. At least with USB-C other computer makers are embracing it, unlike Thunderbolt which to date seems like an Apple only technology that will wither and die.

 

[Flunkyturtle]

I placed a pre-order for the US$129 Other World Computing USB-C dock in July, at which time the website said "Shipping in October 2015". Earlier this month that date slipped to November 2015 (and the price increased to US$159). Today I dropped in on that site and saw that the shipping date is now listed as "January 2016". I'm beginning to think we'll see the Retina MacBook refreshed before anyone has a dock shipping. And that's a shame, as I like to use an external monitor with a dock.

I tweeted them to ask why it slipped, they did respond but got no answer.

Hub+ has also stopped taking pre orders so there is obviously something challenging going on.

i'd rather wait from OWC because then i don't pay untill it ships, Hub+ looks nice as hell but no guarantee of funds being returned.

Well unless you pay by card you can raise a chargeback (i dare not think what their acquirer has set their terms of funds release at) their risk must be insane!

 

[Queen6]

A few things come into play USB C is significantly more complex than any preceding USB standard and for full functionality requires "hanshaking" to take place or the port is effectively no more functional than a typical USB 2.0. All this requires significant logic, specific controllers etc. which are currently either in short supply or still in development.

Additional to this is Skylake & Intel`s Alpine Ridge controller offering TB-3 over USB-3, such functionality would render many of the current USB C hubs obsolete instantly, or at least less attractive to potential buyers, if Apple should expand the usage of USB C with the addition of TB-3 to updated models.

These two factors, primarily the former are the reason why there is currently only one viable hub today for USB C, Apple`s own, as fundamentally hubs incapable of the power pass through to charge the system are little more than adaptors with limited functionality. TB-3 is debatable, equally it`s a logical progression, given it`s now it can be incorporated into a unified standard.

btw Hub+ is effectively "dead in the water" for the same reason (controller)

Q-6

 

[SteveJUAE]

What about MS Dock with a USB C port on the end, will that work with our rMB ?

 

[Queen6]

What about MS Dock with a USB C port on the end, will that work with our rMB ?

MS Dock is designed for phones, so it does not have the power output (2W) to really successfully charge the rMB. I see the logic as the MS Dock has the ever elusive mini DP over USB C

Q-6

 

[Macalway]

Who knows.

There's a number possibilities. You have the Hub+, which this is dead. It's dead because they were in over their heads, but we don't know why; could be anything.

Then you have OWC, with the floating time table. This sort of thing is actually the standard now-like a disease.

Then you have the Chinese imports that don't work correctly, that we all bought. No need for explanation there LOL

 

[Queen6]

Who knows.

There's a number possibilities. You have the Hub+, which this is dead. It's dead because they were in over their heads, but we don't know why; could be anything.

Then you have OWC, with the floating time table. This sort of thing is actually the standard now-like a disease.

Then you have the Chinese imports that don't work correctly, that we all bought. No need for explanation there LOL

A lot of the cheap imports fail to work as they are nothing more than USB 3.0 hubs/docks, with a USB C male connector. USB C requires hardware "handshaking" if not present the USB C port will only deliver USB 2.0 performance. Apple`s own multipart adaptors/hubs are expensive for two reasons 1. Apple & 2. The electronics required to pass USB data, HDMI with power pass through to charge the rMB.

I would also tend to be very selective for the same reason, the complexity of USB C. A cheap hub/dock may seem very attractive, equally if it fries your rMB, it may well turn out to be a very expensive experiment. As much as it pains me to say; this Apple own is still the best bet, for at least the short term.

Q-6

 

[travishill]

It really is challenging. You can read through this project's updates to get an idea of why no one has shipped yet:

https://hydradock.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/project_updates

 

[Queen6]

It really is challenging. You can read through this project's updates to get an idea of why no one has shipped yet:

https://hydradock.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/project_updates

Exactly USB C has so much more capability, so no one should be surprised that this new paradigm is not an instant go to market. That being said once the issues are resolved it will be the goto for all connectivity for the majority of devices.

Q-6

 

[dyn]

Additional to this is Skylake & Intel`s Alpine Ridge controller offering TB-3 over USB-3, such functionality would render many of the current USB C hubs obsolete instantly, or at least less attractive to potential buyers, if Apple should expand the usage of USB C with the addition of TB-3 to updated models.

They won't because a USB-only computer such as the MacBook does not speak the Thunderbolt language and thus is unable to interface with a Thunderbolt 3 dock. It will work with a USB dock and we have plenty of those (just not USB-C ones taking full advantage of the USB-C plug/cable). Only the computers with a TB3 controller are able to speak both USB and Thunderbolt over that same USB-C port and thus drive both USB and TB devices. The computer is the deciding factor, not the device you connect.

The current people buying the MacBook might not be the audience to buy a dock. The current MacBook is something you buy if you really want something portable. Not a use case where you'd use docks. Dongles perhaps.

 

[Mattymoocow]

The current people buying the MacBook might not be the audience to buy a dock. The current MacBook is something you buy if you really want something portable. Not a use case where you'd use docks. Dongles perhaps.

I would argue the opposite - who the hell needs a dock, if you already have the ports on your MacBook Pro. A dock for the MacBook, IMO, would make more sense. You use it with a dock, when you're at home with connected peripherals etc, and away from home, use everything wireless.

 

[objektør]

I would argue the opposite - who the hell needs a dock, if you already have the ports on your MacBook Pro. A dock for the MacBook, IMO, would make more sense. You use it with a dock, when you're at home with connected peripherals etc, and away from home, use everything wireless.

excuse my ignorance but why wouldn't you use everything wireless at home than as well?? Must be convenient.
I'm thinking of Apple TV in stead of hdmi adapter. Too much lagging or what?
And how about usb c flashdrive. You would at least need a small adapter with an extra charge pass through.
You'll find cheap ones on eBay but do they work?

 

[dyn]

I would argue the opposite - who the hell needs a dock, if you already have the ports on your MacBook Pro.

You'll get your answer once you have that MBP and need to hook up all your devices. The reason why we have docks is one simple reason: ease of use. No more and no less. You plug in 1 cable or you push your notebook in the dock and done. No need to hook up various devices and such. Another advantage with a dock: you don't use the ports on your notebook. Or in other words, you have more ports

excuse my ignorance but why wouldn't you use everything wireless at home than as well?? Must be convenient.
I'm thinking of Apple TV in stead of hdmi adapter. Too much lagging or what?

Not everything is wireless and not everything is wireless via bluetooth or wifi. Too much lag can also be an issue which is rather annoying when it concerns audio or video (read: speakers or displays). Then there is cost, wired in general is cheaper. I can see people use a bluetooth mouse and keyboard and an internet connection via wifi but anything else is better when wired. Less fuss.