How to connect macbook pro 16 to dual 4k monitor setup and use the same for Microsoft surface laptop 3/PC

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How to connect macbook pro 16 to dual 4k monitor setup and use the same for Microsoft surface laptop 3/PC

Hi,

I am trying to find a true universal docking station for our home which can be used by both Apple & Microsoft laptop users with the most efficient setup. This may not be the right place to ask this question but still if someone can point me to the correct direction.

There are many universal docking stations out there which claims to connect to dual 4k monitors @60hz refresh rate (most commonly available). However the challenge is when you want to use the same docking station for connecting to your macbook pro and MS surface laptop 3. MS Surface laptop 3 has USB-C connector while macbook pro has thuderbolt 3. Though one can buy a dual thunderbolt 3 side adapter to get more connecting option.

Probable solution: case 1

But i want to know if you can get an adapter/docking station primarily for macbook pro (with thunderbolt 3 connecting wire) to connect your macbook pro to the dual 4k monitor setup. And then add another adapter to convert the thuderbolt 3 docking station to usb-c connecting outlet to connect the MS surface laptop 3(as this one supports only usb-c type).

Questions:

1. Will this setup work ?

2. Will this downgrade the the daily performance(no video editing work) with either setup ? For either setup can i get 4k display resolution at 60hz ?

3. If yes, can you point me to required items i shall be looking for ?

Alternate Solution: case 2

Or if i buy a docking station/adapter primarily focussed towards MS surface laptop 3/PC supporting usb-c and use the same for macbook pro, even though macbook pro supports usb-c but i am worried....

Questions:

1. will that degrade the performance when using the macbook (as thunderbolt 3 is faster and more capable then usb-c) ?

2. will it even work for macbook pro ?

Finally, Which one of the above situation will give me the more efficient solution for the both worlds ?

Thanks in advance !

*P.S. - These are my views after going through some of the articles in web. Kindly pardon and share your feedback if there is something which i might have missed completely.

Posted on Aug 24, 2020 11:31 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 25, 2020 8:59 PM in response to am_rockstar

Compromise the speed for what? You mention only connecting monitors, and USB-C is more than fast enough for that. Now, if you plan to connect an eGPU, a TB3 storage device, or something else that would actually use the extra speed of which TB3 is capable, that's a different question.

Docks generally have a dedicated 'upstream' connection, the one that goes to the computer. That's the one that provides power (the real power, 60-87 W or more; the 'downstream' ones generally have only 15 W, not enough to charge a notebook computer), and also transmits full data (video down, ethernet up/down, data up/down). It's that upstream port that makes a dock TB3 vs. USB-C, and the Surface doesn't support TB3. An adapter won't help (not even sure such an adapter exists, since TB3 and USB-C already use the same plug, just the signal is broader with TB3). TB3 is fully compatible with USB-C, but USB-C is not fully compatible with TB3 (think of USB-C as a subset of TB3).

So, if you want one dock to work both your Mac and a Surface, it needs to be a USB-C dock.

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Answer 2

Aug 25, 2020 5:37 AM in response to am_rockstar

For video output to two 4K displays, TB3 = USB-C. You’ll be fine with a USB-C dock. The bigger challenge will be finding a dock that provides the full 96 W of power, less will work but charge more slowly.

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Answer 3

am_rockstar Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 25, 2020 8:36 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks for the response.

But wouldn't using a USB-C dock instead of TB3 will be a compromise due to lower speeds of USB-C ? (i am fine to plug the charger of my macbook/PC separately & not get it powered from the docking station)

OR

can't i use a TB3 dock for the macbook pro and add an usb-c adapter/cable for connecting to the PC ?

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Answer 4

am_rockstar Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 27, 2020 11:30 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks a lot for clarifying this in detail. It solved my confusion about the screen sharing and data transfer speed. I think your answer solved my problem.

Cheers !

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How to connect macbook pro 16 to dual 4k monitor setup and use the same for Microsoft surface laptop 3/PC

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