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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.

View in context

190 replies

Apr 3, 2014 3:49 PM in response to Michael Paine

On the link for the Elgato hub above the price is stated as $229. FWIW

Apr 3, 2014 4:47 PM in response to Bryanleigh

That's 229.95 Euros - I roughly converted this to US$300

Even $230 is a lot to pay

I can buy a powered USB3 hub with 4 ports for $35 in Australia.

For the rare occasion that I need it, an ethernet adapter is about $40

(or better still a Satechi Smart Travel Router converts an ethernet connection to wifi and does a lot more for $45: http://www.satechi.net )

My MBP Retina already has an HDMI port and 2 TB ports

So, like the similar products listed in this discussion, the Elgato dock is not useful to me.

Woggledog

Level 4

1,870 points

Apr 4, 2014 4:36 AM in response to cpage

Have bought the Elgato Thunderbolt dock last night.

First impressions:

Design: Goof, although I can't see it from where it's located

Ports: Ample for what I need. I have but two cables now plugged in to my mac: Power and one thunderbolt

Usage: So, I use my iMac as a display currently, for my MacBook retina. This is being used fine through the dock. I also have my iPhone charger, usb3 ssd, ethernet and headphones plugged in, leaving me with still a usb 3 port, HDMI and micrphone port free.

The headphones shows up as USB Audio CODEC in the output list, which is a little clumsy.

It's a little warmn, but no warmer than my seagate thunderbolt sled. Given that I sit under an AC vent, this is a bonus.

Why did I buy it? with only two thunderbolt ports on my MBP retina, I'd quite often curse when I needed to plug in my ethernet. As above, I have a fair number of things plugged in, so it saves me time, and, including the mac, I now have 3 USB 3 sockets free!

I'm looking forward to Elgato release their little utility that allows for the quick unmounting of all drives. No sign of it on their website currently...

Apr 5, 2014 9:33 PM in response to Michael Paine

The Elgato dock is 229 Euros on one site and US$229 on the other. Obviously Europeans pay a substantial premium.

Here is my current set-up - a Logitec (not Logitech) Blu-ray burner from Japan and a powered 4 USB3 hub from Dick Smith ... while I wait another year for the Sonnet!

depeejd

Level 1

4 points

Apr 15, 2014 6:10 AM in response to cpage

Following the work of MikeP and cpage I've make a Google Doc version. Please comment corrections or additions.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OlcQ2wDK8pkMxAl77iSYcYCcAA9bMJr1OjJywsyV uwM/edit?usp=sharing

I'd like to get feedback from people who have Akitio Thunder Dock or the Belkin Thunderbolt Express. I'm looking for a solution that includes FW800 and it doesn't make a lot of sense to require a TB to FW800 adaptor.

-e

Csound1

Level 9

59,985 points

Apr 15, 2014 6:14 AM in response to depeejd

I have the Belkin (2 actually)

What do you want to know?

Apr 22, 2014 4:55 PM in response to Michael Paine

Oh no - now there is talk of Thunderbolt 3:

http://9to5mac.com/2014/04/21/leaked-technical-data-indicates-40-gbps-transfer-r ates-coming-with-thunderbolt-3-0/

Not good news because Sonnet was still waiting for TB2!

cpage Author

Level 1

34 points

Apr 24, 2014 10:23 AM in response to Michael Paine

Great Work e

thanks for that spreedsheet.

for organizing it, since we cant edit the filter, it might be best to colour code them a little or move a couple around.

Akitio since it's not network i think move that down a few.

move henge and matrox up a couple.

one could vue each of these options as required for/as/with:

Laptop (wifi)
Desktop (wired)
Multi Monitor
internal storage
"Dock"
"Hub"

and the audio in / out, i think might be better as speaker / Mic?

Sep 30, 2014 1:25 AM in response to cpage

Henge Vertical Docking Station for MacBook Pro with Retina Display:

http://www.macfixit.com.au/hengedocks-vertical-docking-station-for-the-13-macboo k-pro-retina-brushed-metal.html

Thunderbolt ready. Fully compatible with both Apple Thunderbolt displays and cables for unsurpassed performance of your MacBook Pro with Retina Display.
Minimal setup, maximum versatility. Pre-installed Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0 and TRRS audio extension cables allow for instant peripheral connection and support of dual monitors with ease.

But the specs are not great:

Mini DisplayPort (x2), USB 3.0 (x1), TRRS Audio (x1); Integrated Hex Key; MagSafe Adapter Tool (x2)

This is more of a docking station than a thunderbolt hub

Still no sign of the Sonnet hub!

Oct 4, 2014 11:07 PM in response to cpage

The Northern "Summer" has been and gone with no official sign of the Sonnet Echo 15 dock being available. It is still on "pre-order" here

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/echo15thunderboltdock.html

Then there is this site:

http://cvp.com/index.php?t=product/sonnet_echo_15_blu-ray_0tb

492 UK Pounds or US$654 (ouch) and quoting 2-3 days delivery. I suspect that if you placed on order you would get a response about delayed delivery.

Oct 5, 2014 1:34 PM in response to cpage

From a few days ago, more updates on the Echo 15 here:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1565862&page=10

"Got a message from them today stating that they were awaiting a apple certification for the device, that they are ready to go into full production and should be shipping at the end of this year..."