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Which TB3 dock for your 15MBP?
- Thread starter richpjr
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i can't wait until these docks starting appearing. i can't imagine having waited if i had bought a MBP back last Autumn. I've only had mine a couple weeks and am anxiously waiting for the them to start being available.
(right now using two USB-C ports to accommodate my needs but wish i had an ethernet adapter too but i'll patiently wait that out rather than spend the money on a Satechi unit right now)
(right now using two USB-C ports to accommodate my needs but wish i had an ethernet adapter too but i'll patiently wait that out rather than spend the money on a Satechi unit right now)
Right now I'm using it to go to two external SSDs and a HDD bay, as an alternative to USB 3.1, as it doesn't cause the interference issue for me with wireless signals that USB SS does in my specific situation. This kind of drove me to TB, eSATA, and back to old school FW and USB 2.0!
This one is, available from Amazon too.
http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-3-dock/thunderbolt-station-3-lite/
I have to say that the Lenovo dock is looking quite good, as it offers the most choice in ports.
I just wonder about its usage with Macs rather than Windows machines, though? Apparently it is fully compatible, but one has to wonder given its designed for Thinkpad whether it's going to have some glitch or another when used with Macs compared to Win machines. And its availability seems hard to find too?
Only issue is the charging only up to 65W, but if you're using 1 or 2 LG 5K's (either with one into the dock and one in to the MBP, or both directly into the MBP) then charging isn't an issue as the display will do that.
Also, one could simply use DP-to-whatever adaptors anyway, so having VGA & HDMI on there is possibly redundant, unless you really need them – e.g. Does the HDMI port offer 4K@60Hz? As there are adaptors for USB-C that do (StarTech USB-C-to-HDMI adapter - Thunderbolt 3 compatible - 4K 60Hz or Startech (CDP2HDUCP) USB-C-to-HDMI adapter - 4K 60HZ - with Power Delivery).
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Also, the Plugable "Volume" offers "DisplayPort++" – what does the "++" mean?
AFAICT, it means you can use either passive or active adaptors (instead of active adaptors) to go to other display connection types (HDMI/DVI/VGA)?? Is that an important thing though or not, and do the other docks do that anyway, but simply not advertise it?? Don't most adaptors work anyway regardless of this so-called 'feature'?
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The OWC has some differentiators, in having FireWire 800 + S/PDIF (digital audio out) + SD card reader (SD 3.0, so does not support speeds up to 300MB/s).
FW may be useful for legacy users or those using specific audio or similar products.
S/PDIF the same points as FW.
SD reader: useful of course, but is this one good enough for most users? Does it take the most useful card size(s)/type(s) (I don't really use SD cards, so can't tell)?
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This is turning into the typical 'lack-of-complete-specs' issue, companies employ to advertising their products – typically done to obfuscate that their product cannot do something, that sometimes another company's can!
I just wonder about its usage with Macs rather than Windows machines, though? Apparently it is fully compatible, but one has to wonder given its designed for Thinkpad whether it's going to have some glitch or another when used with Macs compared to Win machines. And its availability seems hard to find too?
Only issue is the charging only up to 65W, but if you're using 1 or 2 LG 5K's (either with one into the dock and one in to the MBP, or both directly into the MBP) then charging isn't an issue as the display will do that.
Also, one could simply use DP-to-whatever adaptors anyway, so having VGA & HDMI on there is possibly redundant, unless you really need them – e.g. Does the HDMI port offer 4K@60Hz? As there are adaptors for USB-C that do (StarTech USB-C-to-HDMI adapter - Thunderbolt 3 compatible - 4K 60Hz or Startech (CDP2HDUCP) USB-C-to-HDMI adapter - 4K 60HZ - with Power Delivery).
_______
Also, the Plugable "Volume" offers "DisplayPort++" – what does the "++" mean?
AFAICT, it means you can use either passive or active adaptors (instead of active adaptors) to go to other display connection types (HDMI/DVI/VGA)?? Is that an important thing though or not, and do the other docks do that anyway, but simply not advertise it?? Don't most adaptors work anyway regardless of this so-called 'feature'?
_______
The OWC has some differentiators, in having FireWire 800 + S/PDIF (digital audio out) + SD card reader (SD 3.0, so does not support speeds up to 300MB/s).
FW may be useful for legacy users or those using specific audio or similar products.
S/PDIF the same points as FW.
SD reader: useful of course, but is this one good enough for most users? Does it take the most useful card size(s)/type(s) (I don't really use SD cards, so can't tell)?
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This is turning into the typical 'lack-of-complete-specs' issue, companies employ to advertising their products – typically done to obfuscate that their product cannot do something, that sometimes another company's can!
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TS3 or TS3 Lite – presume the latter, as the former is unreleased yet?
Send back for replacement.
DisplayPort ports only do DisplayPort, they don't know the other protocols. DisplayPort++ (or DP++) is a port that does speak all those other protocols. You can only use those DP adapters with a DP++ port (nearly all of them are passive; active ones may work with DP ports though). Luckily the DP++ is the default in Thunderbolt and on many other devices. That's why CalDigit and others went with a DP++ connection on their docks instead of HDMI.
CalDigit TS3 Lite doesn't charge any notebook, doesn't have the circuitry apparently (there is an exception to that because it can trickle charge at 15W if you don't plug in too many power hungry devices). It's currently the only TB3 dock that does this. CalDigit made another one that does charge and it does so at 85W. That's also the reason why this version is more expensive than the TS3 Lite.
Since TB3 supports 2 4k@60Hz displays, any TB3 dock will be able to drive it.
re. the Lenovo TB3 dock, some further points:
1. Defo only offering 65W charging to the host computer (as we know already).
2. Apparently, it also only supports 60Hz on one display connection at time. Other connected displays will drop to 30Hz (not good enough for real world usage, AFAIU).
3. It's basically unavailable. I tried tracking it down on Google, but came up with nothing. So likely withdrawn from release.
see MR review: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/12/28/lenovo-thinkpad-thunderbolt-3
" The company said that users can connect as many as three displays to the Thunderbolt 3 dock, with two coming off the dual DisplayPort streams, and another connected to an extra Thunderbolt 3 output. One display will get up to a 3840 x 2160 resolution at 60Hz, while two displays will have the same resolution at 30Hz. In terms of power, the dock comes with a 135W adapter, with up to 65W of power to a connected laptop. The Thunderbolt 3 dock is likely to work with the new Touch Bar MacBook Pro, but Lenovo hasn't specified compatibility yet.
The dock ships with a 135-Watt AC Adapter, which provides up to 65W of power to the laptop, and the remainder for powering the accessories. There is also a power button on the dock to control the ThinkPad power state when docked, which is nice since the laptop could easily be closed when docked. "
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Two new options by Henge (but outsiders, for reasons explained)...
(note: the top pic below is the USB-C
port version, but the TB3 port
version obviously has those instead.)
The Henge "tethered" one does feature 2x mDP ports (likely only offering up to 4K though), but has less ports than others, but one can rest your MBP on it (if really wanted by some users).
The Henge "horizontal" one is feature heavy, but firstly it's likely to cost a whopping $600 or more (which is at least double the price of all the others!), and secondly it blocks all 4x TB3 ports at the same time when being used. Though it does have an additional TB2-out which may be beneficial for some users (especially if the other TB3 ports are blocked anyway!).
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IMO thus far, if you want a fully-fledged TB3 dock offering full power and a good range of ports (apart from the Henge horizontal which AFAICT is really for specialist use), then it looks to me between the OWC and the main Caldigit "Station" TS3.
1. Defo only offering 65W charging to the host computer (as we know already).
2. Apparently, it also only supports 60Hz on one display connection at time. Other connected displays will drop to 30Hz (not good enough for real world usage, AFAIU).
3. It's basically unavailable. I tried tracking it down on Google, but came up with nothing. So likely withdrawn from release.
see MR review: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/12/28/lenovo-thinkpad-thunderbolt-3
" The company said that users can connect as many as three displays to the Thunderbolt 3 dock, with two coming off the dual DisplayPort streams, and another connected to an extra Thunderbolt 3 output. One display will get up to a 3840 x 2160 resolution at 60Hz, while two displays will have the same resolution at 30Hz. In terms of power, the dock comes with a 135W adapter, with up to 65W of power to a connected laptop. The Thunderbolt 3 dock is likely to work with the new Touch Bar MacBook Pro, but Lenovo hasn't specified compatibility yet.
The dock ships with a 135-Watt AC Adapter, which provides up to 65W of power to the laptop, and the remainder for powering the accessories. There is also a power button on the dock to control the ThinkPad power state when docked, which is nice since the laptop could easily be closed when docked. "
--------
Two new options by Henge (but outsiders, for reasons explained)...
(note: the top pic below is the USB-C
The Henge "tethered" one does feature 2x mDP ports (likely only offering up to 4K though), but has less ports than others, but one can rest your MBP on it (if really wanted by some users).
The Henge "horizontal" one is feature heavy, but firstly it's likely to cost a whopping $600 or more (which is at least double the price of all the others!), and secondly it blocks all 4x TB3 ports at the same time when being used. Though it does have an additional TB2-out which may be beneficial for some users (especially if the other TB3 ports are blocked anyway!).
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IMO thus far, if you want a fully-fledged TB3 dock offering full power and a good range of ports (apart from the Henge horizontal which AFAICT is really for specialist use), then it looks to me between the OWC and the main Caldigit "Station" TS3.
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I wouldn't even bother with the Lenovo dock. Usually Items made by Wintel vendors will focus first and foremost on compatibility for their own products, then other PC vendors, then maaayyyybeeee Macs if its economically feasible (it usually isn't). OWC and Caldigit and Elgato (the last of which can be found in Apple stores) on the other hand have been in the space for a while.
I'm thinking about getting the Calldigit dock (not the TB Station 3). DO you think is a good choice if I don't care about charging the tbMBP15 cause I'll use the USB-c ports available in the laptop? Also I'll just plug one monitor.
http://shop.caldigit.com/eu/USB-C-Dock-EU
Since the dock just charges the MBP at 60w, if I plug the MBP charger to another USB-C port will it charge from that port at 85w?
Also I'm reading now that the dock is not TB3, you don't even get 10Gb/s, jus 5Gb/s.
Hmm I'm not sure now about getting this one.
Any news on when is the TB3 station comming out in Europe?
http://shop.caldigit.com/eu/USB-C-Dock-EU
Since the dock just charges the MBP at 60w, if I plug the MBP charger to another USB-C port will it charge from that port at 85w?
Also I'm reading now that the dock is not TB3, you don't even get 10Gb/s, jus 5Gb/s.
Hmm I'm not sure now about getting this one.
Any news on when is the TB3 station comming out in Europe?
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No no no
I'm talking about the last sentence in the product page.
http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-3-dock/thunderbolt-station-3/
The TS3 provides 85W charging for Mac OS only. Windows OS users will be able to benefit from the port expandability of the TS3 without the charging capabilities of the dock. Wtf?
I'm talking about the last sentence in the product page.
http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-3-dock/thunderbolt-station-3/
The TS3 provides 85W charging for Mac OS only. Windows OS users will be able to benefit from the port expandability of the TS3 without the charging capabilities of the dock. Wtf?
If you have TB3 flexibility I would purchase the TS3 Lite (which does not charge) which says its in stock on the EU site. That way you get an additional TB3 port to convert whatever you want. Its perfect if you don't mind using your existing power adapter.
Yes, what bothers me is it has only 2 USB 3.0 type A (the others has 3 of this), and it doesn't have HDMI, so I need to spend a few bucks more in a new cable (Display port to HDMI).
But well, I guess I can allways plug a usb-c to usb-A adapter in the usb-c port remaining if I want 3 USB-A ports, because I need to plug the mouse, the keyboard, and the speakers (They are all USB-A), and I still will need more usb A ports for a pendrive and a hard drive.... Yeah, I'd love 5 or 6 usb A ports
. I guess it would work if I plug an adapter than give me 3 extra USB-A ports. (I don't know if the dock would support this, because of lack of power or something like that.
Yes, what bothers me is it has only 2 USB 3.0 type A (the others has 3 of this), and it doesn't have HDMI, so I need to spend a few bucks more in a new cable (Display port to HDMI).
But well, I guess I can allways plug a usb-c to usb-A adapter in the usb-c port remaining if I want 3 USB-A ports, because I need to plug the mouse, the keyboard, and the speakers (They are all USB-A), and I still will need more usb A ports for a pendrive and a hard drive.... Yeah, I'd love 5 or 6 usb A ports
How about just adding a powered USB-a hub off of one of the USB-A ports?
Anywho, the first (consumer) review for the Caldigit TS3 Lite is out and the review (4/5 Stars) is fairly positive. Nothing to say about instabilities. I lean closer to the full fat TS3 station now:
Also keep in mind, many of the poor or less than favorable reviews for the Caldigit TS2 station revolve around the single display output limitation on the dock (instead of being able to multiple displays without using a Thunderbolt device in-between), but this is a limitation of all TB2 docks. The TS3/Lite station handily fixes this limitation as evidenced here:
85w Charging [✓]
Dual Monitor Outputs [✓]
eSATA [✓]
I think TS3 (full fat) will be the one to beat.
CalDigit TS3Lite only supply 15W charging.
CalDigit TS3 will supply 85W but it is not currently available.
Yes, what bothers me is it has only 2 USB 3.0 type A (the others has 3 of this), and it doesn't have HDMI, so I need to spend a few bucks more in a new cable (Display port to HDMI).
But well, I guess I can allways plug a usb-c to usb-A adapter in the usb-c port remaining if I want 3 USB-A ports, because I need to plug the mouse, the keyboard, and the speakers (They are all USB-A), and I still will need more usb A ports for a pendrive and a hard drive.... Yeah, I'd love 5 or 6 usb A ports
That's a lot on an unpowered dock, but IIRC that specific dock is powered via AC - it just doesn't charge enough via USB-C to run the laptop continuously.
For the things like mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, speakers, slower flash drive, etc., you could always purchase a powered USB 2 hub and run that hub from the TB dock. Some USB 2 hubs are currently on crazy sales. Amazon just blew out a 10-port powered USB 2 hub I got in like 2011 for less than 1/4th of what I paid!!
I know. My list of must haves was focused on the full TS3 with the inclusion of 85w and eSATA ports. Sorry if that was unclear.
The main point is that most if not all TB3 docks coming out should support dual monitor output from the dock itself. And this is huge.
Yes, I'll probably do that, but I think I'll better use one that is powered from the USB-C port, I think it works better than a USB-A (this one has less power). Or what do you think?
[doublepost=1489843870][/doublepost]
So a 4 USB 3.0 hub connected to the TB3 station through the TB3 port would work?
Something like this connected to the Caldigit TS3 lite: https://www.amazon.es/gp/aw/d/B01GD...1_2?colid=241CSGO0Q78ST&coliid=I2KX3NVI0O6ZUY
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For hard drives, that might or might not work (since it is unpowered). I had inconsistent experiences with these three unpowered hubs that I own, when using it is this way:
this passive 4-port 3.1-gen1-A hub
this other passive 4-port 3.1-A hub
this additional passive 4-port 3.1-A hub
In regards to the three unpowered USB-A hubs, I have connected them directly to my 2011 and 2014 MBPs, and they run fine when directly connected for everything except bus-powered 7500 RPM HDDs, which still usually work correctly. However, I have connected them to:
this powered USB-3.1-A hub, with the ability to operate either on bus power or via AC power
this hard drive enclosure + 3-port USB 3.1-A hub, with the ability to operate either on bus power or via an AC power
formally this powered ThunderBolt 2 dock
this powered ThunderBolt 2 dock, which is currently my main dock
...and the performance with all three passive hubs has been somewhat inconsistent - 7500 RPM 2.5 HDDs don't always perform correctly, and would sometimes disconnect momentarily and then reconnect. Certain USB SD card adapters, and my Corsair Voyager GT-X flash drives (which presumably consume a lot more power than a normal flash drive) also would now and then have some issues connecting. Two 5400 RPM HDDs would have disconnection issues as well.
I believe this has to do with insufficient power of USB-A when using the bus power supply only. The 10 port USB 2.0 hub I have running through my ThunderBolt2 dock has its own AC power supply as well as the ability to operate unpowered. If I am running it unpowered, 2.5 inch hard drives without their own independent power supply function erratically as described above with the unpowered hubs. When I connect the AC power, it operates flawlessly. So you may need something with its own AC power supply...
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