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Level 1

34 points

Thunderbolt Hubs and docking stations

We are looking to buy MacBook Pro (Retina maybe). We have two displays that are DisplayLink.

Apple seems to be behind/non-existant on the docking station game...(not enough companies to make millions here i guess?) so I know they don't want to make that, but does any 3rd part company make a Docking Station that you can plug the MB into and have all the ports already plugged into the monitors?

From a cleanlyness standpoint this seems like something Apple would do yet the only thing they offer in this regard is buying one of their displays. A $1000 Thunderolt hub? works for oil barrons, but not the rest of the world.

Belkin has an interesting offer, though since its not out yet, it's hard to know how that functions... do you plug in the Thunderbolt in the front? and then the back plugs just all work? is it that easy? if so it might be worth $200-300

http://www.belkin.com/us/thunderbolt

But it is amazing that Apple doen't offer a simple 20 ($30 apple prices) splitter.

i found 2 online after much dingging. is is discontinued and the other is out of stock. both look questionalbe with regard to quality.

So, am i missing something? Apple put all R&D and marketing into Thunderbolt got business to be the end of the chain, but over looked the middle?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

Posted on Jan 7, 2013 1:36 PM

Best reply

gooballala

Level 3

800 points

Posted on Jan 7, 2013 1:38 PM

The belkin one isn't out yet but its probably going to be your best bet.

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190 replies

xgrep

Level 1

24 points

Jan 7, 2014 7:35 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

It is very common for USB keyboards attached to a Hub (even a USB Hub) to not be seen until the Login Window (which is when the Driver becomes functional). The legacy solution has been to plug into a port on the chassis when needed for "snag keys" and similar very early use.

In my case, the keyboard isn't recognized at the login window. It's not recognized until I log in with a keyboard connected through some other interface. Bluetooth works, as does the built-in keyboard (of course), as well as a USB keyboard plugged into any other hub or the MBA directly. Only a keyboard plugged into the Belkin USB ports is unrecognized.

Maybe I should contact Belkin support about not being able to boot or see the keyboard. I'll take a look at my firmware, first, though ... these haven't been critical problems, but it's a bit annoying.

Jan 9, 2014 8:29 PM in response to HeHateMe

Thanks HeHateMe

StarTech docking station:

PRO

3 x USB3

Ethernet

HDMI

Audio out

TB daisy-chainable

$254 is competitive

CON

No hard drive interface

No optical drive

No FW800

(same specs as Caldigit for $199?)

My new 13" Retina Macbook has:

2 xUSB3

2 x TB

1 x HDMI and

1 x SD card slot

So a really useful TB docking station for me would be:

Ethernet

Hard disk interface

Blu-ray optical drive

Firewire 800

+ a few extra USB3 ports & daisy-chainable TB

The "pending" Sonnet still tops the list for me...

cpage Author

Level 1

34 points

Jan 10, 2014 7:15 AM in response to Michael Paine

Looks like the Horizontal Henge Dock has had some updates.

Check their blog for more.

http://hengedocks.com/blog/

<- Click for image

+ They Split the 6 USB ports to both sides.

– They dropped the FW800 port

= They dropped the 3rd thunderbold port for an HDMI port. on the fence about this one.

I rather more functionality that TB port offers personally, but some ppl may like not having to buy the dongle if they need it?

looks like they also changed the power cable type.

HeHateMe

Level 1

9 points

Jan 10, 2014 1:23 PM in response to Michael Paine

Thanks Michael, I was not aware of the Caldigit product - looks good to me so I pulled the trigger...

Not patient enough to wait for Sonnet- I need to clean up my desk now! This should make it easy enough for the spousal unit - plug in one wire for external TB disk with photos and videos, display, Superdrive, etc.

Jan 14, 2014 5:58 PM in response to HeHateMe

yay, looks like the kanex adapter si comming soon q2 and will be less than 100 dollars.

https://www.facebook.com/kanexproducts

Jan 22, 2014 12:45 PM in response to Michael Paine

I have just gotten off the phone with Sonnet regarding the Sonnet Echo 15. Because they are now re (re-re?) designing the unit to be thunderbolt 2 they are again delayed and are saying it will become available in the summer of 2014. Ready to hold your breath that long? Are they just stringing everyone along (for instance they could release the thunderbold 1 version now and do an update to the unit when they get there but no, that doesn't seem to be in the cards) They say nothing about this moved back ship date on their web site and still preorder available....

So, if you want to wait that long, possibly into the Fall if things follow a natural course of slipping even further, then have at it.

Jan 27, 2014 2:36 PM in response to Bryanleigh

Thanks for posting this info. I just brought a USB3 blu-ray drive (Logitech BDXL) back from an overseas trip to keep me going for few more months...

Jan 29, 2014 7:00 PM in response to Michael Paine

Just got an "update" email from Sonnet, confirming that there will be further delays :

"...Moving to Thunderbolt 2 will further impact the release schedule of the Echo 15 docks, placing the new projected ship date in summer 2014 [I guess that means northern hemisphere summer!]. We will provide additional progress updates until the products ship.

At this time we would like to apologize for the additional delay in delivering the Echo 15 Docks and express our thanks for your feedback, patience and encouragement..."

Syzygies

Level 1

15 points

Feb 2, 2014 2:11 AM in response to cpage

Akitio Thunder Dock

http://www.akitio.com/accessories/thunder-dock

http://www.amazon.com/Akitio-Thunder-Dock-Compatible-Thunderbolt/dp/B00HAVIK5E/

2x Thunderbolt ports

2x eSATA host ports (supports port multiplier)

2x USB 3.0 SuperSpeed host ports (supports UASP)

1x FireWire 800 host port (supports bus-power)

$270

FirmTek 4-Port eSATA to Thunderbolt Adapter

ThunderTek/PX-Q6G: ThunderTek/PX with SeriTek/Q6G eSATA Bundle

http://www.firmtek.com/seritek/thundertek/pxq6g/

1x Thunderbolt ports

4x eSata host ports

$330

OWC Mercury Helios PCIe Expansion Chassis

Newer Technology MAXPower 4-port eSATA 6G PCIe 2.0

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Thunderbolt/PCIe_Chassis/Mercury_Helios/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/MXPCIE6GRS4E/

$350 + $98

Addonics Port Multiplier Ultra

http://addonics.com/products/ad5ehpmeu3.php

eSATA or USB 3.0 to 5x eSata host ports

All four product lines are worth studying. I use Mac minis everywhere, and a monitor is a noncritical application for me, while storage is critical. So I'm happy to revert my monitors to HDMI, to simplify my Thunderbolt use, even if daisy-chain considerations don't require it. (I'm dismayed by the terminology debate that tried to hijack this thread. If anyone doesn't understand what I'm trying to say, PM me privately and I'll elaborate.)

With products such as the Addonics port mulitplier, it is easier to remedy a shortage of eSata ports than a shortage of Thunderbolt ports. So I lean toward the Akitio + Addonics combination, to maximize eSata ports while keeping a Thunderbolt port open.

On the other hand, economics argue in favor of just terminating the Thunderbolt chain with a conversion to as many eSata ports as possible. I have great hot swap enclosures with ancient boards (Wiebetech) that I can keep in service this way. And Thunderbolt versions are always more expensive than eSata versions; compare the just-announced OWC Thunderbay IV 4 bay enclosure to its lovable monster sibling, the Qx2. This is a bit like buying LED light bulbs with a transformer in every base, rather than wiring one's house DC for efficient lighting.

Subbu44

Level 1

8 points

Feb 21, 2014 7:44 AM in response to cpage

I have read most of the posts in this discussion. Not being a computer expert, much of the terminology is beyond me. Therefore, my apologies for posting this question if it has been answered already. I am looking for a piece of equipment that can help me with this: I carry my Macbook Pro 13" between work and home. Each time I take it to work, I connect five things to it:

1) Mini DVI cable (I have a 23" external Apple display)

2) Power adaptor (without which my external display doesn't work)

3) USB receiver for my wireless Logitech keyboard

4) USB cable from my desktop printer

5) Ethernet cable

Connecting and disconnecting five things each time and then having to do it each time I have to carry my laptop to a meeting is a pain. I am looking for a hub into which I can have all these inputs so that I can simply connect my MPB with one cable to it each morning. I can live with having to connect one more thing (e.g., power adaptor).

I may be moving to a Macbook Air in future. I may also move to a monitor that may have HDMI and not a Mini DVI. Therefore, the hub or docking station will have to be compatible with these so that I don't to rebuy in a few months. Is Thunderbolt the way to go?

Does such a product exist? Cost is not much of an issue, because I have some equipment funds I can use for it.

Thanks for any guidance.

Subbu