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cpage Author

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

Dec 23, 2014 1:21 PM in response to cpage

Details are here

http://hengedocks.com/pages/horizontal-mac-dock

built for Retina Macbook Pro

Reads like they are just DisplayPorts on back, plus HDMI but would be handy to have the

6 x usb3

ethernet

fw800

SD card slot

cpage Author

Level 1

34 points

Dec 23, 2014 1:27 PM in response to Michael Paine

I read it a little differently

Connect three external displays with Thunderbolt 2, Mini DisplayPort and HDMI

thinking if thunderbolt 2 can be used to connect, then if the display had TB2 out, it should be a chain...

but you could be right also.

guess we'll find out in a few weeks.

Dec 23, 2014 3:25 PM in response to cpage

Looking at the picture of the back panel it has "3 video" ports - but cannot tell which (DisplayPort or TB) until they release the full specs. If none are TB then, as you say, it is no good for TB daisychaining. Also the design of the dock appears to cover up the Retina MBP's 2 TB ports - so it would effectively take you from 2 to zero TB ports. The specs of those "video" ports are vital.

Apparently there is no HDMI port (and the MBP HDMI port would also be covered up by the dock). For HDMI I guess they assume you will use a TB to HMDI cable (which I already have).

Source: Henge website

Jan 5, 2015 10:52 AM in response to Michael Paine

This is the wrong picture: the dock they are actually releasing doesn't have the FireWire 800 port (which I really wanted). The "3 video" ports are actually 2 described as TB2/MDP. There is now a separate HDMI port. And you should note that while they are now accepting orders, they only claim this will ship in June. If you are already registered (and got their mail yesterday), you get $40 off the new list price of $399 (compared to an earlier list of $349), but if you pay them an extra $50 as an "early adopter," you might get it shipped in April instead. Given their horrible record of meeting announced dates, I would take these with masses of salt ... Personally, after nearly two years of waiting, I've given up on this product.

Jan 5, 2015 12:40 PM in response to YaLinguist

Ah - it has changed! Here is the latest image

Source: Henge (again)

Jan 5, 2015 12:50 PM in response to Michael Paine

Updated table:

Jan 10, 2015 7:23 PM in response to Michael Paine

9to5 Mac

Hands on: Henge Docks’ Horizontal Dock for MacBook is one of the best in the business (Video)

Note my list above has an error - this dock does have an SD card reader

cpage Author

Level 1

34 points

Jan 12, 2015 10:25 AM in response to Michael Paine

www.landingzone.net

If your still editing the spreadsheet they've got 4 different models 2 for the MacBook 2 for the AirBook

Price and functions, the $199 version seems to be a winner.

@ half the price of the Henge, function wise, it's only missing an SD slot and... good looks?

(PS, looks like the spreadsheet is missing 1 for SD card on the Henge)

cpage Author

Level 1

34 points

Jan 12, 2015 1:15 PM in response to cpage

new spreadsheet

*** Google Docs***

This is editable, so please add/correct anything you like

Mar 9, 2015 8:57 PM in response to Michael Paine

Still waiting for a TB2 dock with all the necessary features...

So now there is a new "standard" in Mac ports - USB-C - on the new Macbook. Not a very powerful (throughput) port system but it could discourage further TB dock development.

xgrep

Level 1

24 points

Mar 10, 2015 3:29 PM in response to Michael Paine

RIP Thunderbolt.

http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs/

A single USB-C connector. No Thunderbolt port. No way to add one.

No doubt there will be a few more MacBooks with Thunderbolt ports, just like there's still a MacBook Pro 13" (non-Retina) with an optical drive. But don't be surprised if you see fewer and fewer Thunderbolt products. Too bad. I like Thunderbolt (even more than I liked Firewire). But it never had a good run in spite of having been introduced quite a few years ago.

May 10, 2015 8:02 PM in response to cpage

Thank you so much for compiling this data! It made the search so much easier.

In my opinion, OWC wins - hands down. I just ordered one after reading great reviews.

May 11, 2015 11:39 PM in response to Michael Paine

So now I have a retina Macbook and am waiting for a USB-C dock that suits my needs. Actually the lack of a TB dock was a factor in my switching to the rMB - if I cannot dock the rMBP I may as well not dock the rMB!

I suspect there is more chance of companies developing USB-C docks once other brands of laptop start using it.

Jun 11, 2015 4:10 PM in response to cpage

Thanks for this thread everyone. It's been an interesting read. I just got a new rMBP and am just adjusting to Thunderbolt. I have a couple of esata raids that I have to keep active and I'm looking for a dock that can handle them. From your discussion and the spreadsheet, I have it narrowed down to the Caldigit thunder2 and the Akitio thunder 2. Just wondering if you guys have experience with either or know of any throughput issues. I've run across Caldigit before, but Akitio is a new brand to me.

Jul 15, 2015 7:06 PM in response to schnautz07

FWIW, my OWC is doing a great job so far. No regrets (except that it didn't come with a cable 😐)

Thunderbolt Hubs and docking stations