Which dock for a MacBook Pro with M4 Pro - Cannot use HP USB-C Dock G5

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Level 1

4 points

Which dock for a MacBook Pro with M4 Pro - Cannot use HP USB-C Dock G5

Hello,

I have recently purchased a new MacBook Pro with M4 Pro processor. Whilst I am very happy with it, one weird issue came up.

When I connect my MacBook to the Docks we have at work (HP USB-C Dock G5 with 2 1080p displays), the Mac only recognizes a single display and shows the same output on both monitors. I can connect to one via HDMI and that gives me two external displays, but over a single cable that does not work right.

Every other laptop around the office can output to two displays just fine. Just not the Mac. Which has already led to some funny comments about Apple wanting to do stuff in a special way.

Is this some DP Alt-Mode compatibility lacking in macOS?

And also, what dock should I get for at home? I have looked at the HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 but after my experience with the HP USB-C Dock G5 I'm wary of what dock I should get. I'd like to connect two 1440p screens over DisplayPort, Ethernet and some USB-A ports.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 22, 2024 12:23 PM

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Answer 1

OldGoat67

Level 3

572 points

Nov 22, 2024 1:07 PM in response to nickbouwhuis

Looks like both versions of that dock have Windows only drivers/software , also it doesn’t have a DisplayLink

chip in it… you’d need a windows PC to update the firmware for it… the latest firmware for it is 1.0.22.0 Rev 1 , anyways you’d need a Windows PC to do that. Luckily there are loads of other makers of USB-C ( Thunderbolt 3 ) powered docks … go to macsales to see some of them. mac sales ( owc) is a trusted vendor of Mac stuff… CalDigit is another name, i’m sure there are others that are more “Mac friendly”/mac compatible/plays nice with Mac and PC out there

good luck

John B

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Answer 2

nickbouwhuis Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 22, 2024 1:45 PM in response to OldGoat67

Thanks John.

Needing a Windows PC is not entirely true. Ubuntu or Fedora Linux also support the dock out of the box and can update it.

Looking at Caldigit docks, I can see they are 3x the price of the HP USB-C G5 docks that have served me well the past years. So I don't really understand why I should pay 3x for a dock for my Mac.

Has Apple not implemented DP-AltMode for some reason? Why?

Should probably also mention I am in the EU, Netherlands. Dock market looks a bit different I think

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Answer 3

OldGoat67

Level 3

572 points

Nov 22, 2024 4:00 PM in response to nickbouwhuis

Ahh. Thanks, nickbouwhuis, didn’t know you were from the Netherlands, that would have been helpful and nice to know beforehand—oh well, disregard half of what I said about OWC ( macsales.com) .., if you were to order and buy/ship from macsales, it’d cost you a whole lot… item(s) + shipping+ taxes+ customs fees from USA to the Netherlands, what you want is a trusted/reputable general Mac-specialist /dealer/vendor in The Netherlands, like Macsales.com but based in Europe/The Netherlands.. plugable is one brand name/maker…suggested retail is € 240… supports Windows and Macs with Thunderbolt3 ( M1 and Intel) , 14 ports , 2 year warranty… CalDigit TS3 is $459 USD ,sonnet Echo 2 the same… if you want just USB-C , no thunderbolt, newegg says “wav link WS-UG69PD6-A” for $136 $US… iogear is sorta affordable?? $170 USD… StarTech is around $200 USD… Targus is affordable… these are all brand names, but all

of them have a store/representative in Europe, and thus The Netherlands… all prices there would be in Euros… there’s Belkin… belkin connect is around $140 US… usb-c only, if you want the full power of Thunderbolt 3 + USB-C it’ll cost you more, period, if just USB-C , no Thunderbolt 3, it’ll be cheaper, of course…

well, I tried, i did my best… now it’s time for coffee, cigar and a rest…

John B

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