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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

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Posted on Jan 7, 2013 1:38 PM

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

190 replies

Jan 7, 2013 2:21 PM in response to gooballala

It looks like it only has 1 Thunderbolt port. (being that 1 has to be used)


😠😕😟


http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?rnId=8415


It looks like the TB cable from the MB goes under the Dock, and plugs into one of the ports in the back.


So if i wanted to use two monitors (without DisplayLink out) or 1 monitor and an external TB Harddrive this product wouldnt't work.



It looks as if Thunderbolt is only designed as a daisy chain system, that thunderbolt can't split like USB can.



If thats the case, Thunderbolt will for sure go the way of Firewire 😟

Jan 8, 2013 2:53 PM in response to cpage

There is also the Matrox DS1 http://www.matrox.com/docking_station/en/ds1/


It's a thunderbolt docking station, just like the belkin, but this one features HDMI or DVI directly on the unit, so you don't have to buy an extra display adaptor like with the Belkin.


The product is also available right now, and works well (got mine before the holidays)


Here is a link to the Matrox online store for the US:

http://shopmatrox.com/usa/products/categories.asp?CategoryID=102


And Canada:

http://shopmatrox.com/canada/products/categories.asp?CategoryID=96


The Matrox doesn't have Thunderbolt passthrough, so I simply put my Thunderbolt storage before this dock, and still maintain the convinience of the dock!

Feb 15, 2013 10:57 AM in response to 1ITguy

if this

http://www.electronista.com/articles/13/01/09/expands.port.options.thunderbolt.v ersion.coming.in.q4/

is what you are refering to...


I would say yes, this looks promising. Q4 though for Thunderbolt. Q3 for standard ports.


Unfortunately it does't say how many thunderbolt ports there will be. if there is 3 ports SOLD!


Guess i'll just have to wait another year.

Mar 5, 2013 4:36 AM in response to cpage

Yes....sad to say. If I had known about the added expense just to be able to connect my firewire drives, HDMI, DVI and even ethernet I may have had to re-think upgrading from my 17 inch MBP to the new model. And then there's the BlackMagic thunderbolt if I need to use that, I have to disconnect stuff. I agree with a post above, Apple seems to have pioneered and pushed Thunderbolt but sadly has no way to expand it, except to buy a new monitor.


I do photography and video so I like using 3 monitors. 1 to HDMI port, 1 on TB to HDMI and the third is a TB to DVI (samsung syncmaster 213T rotated for vertical pictures and Final Cut editing.) In order to do that, I have to disconnect drives and ethernet. Macbook Pro? Pro?? No ethernet port?


The Belkin looks like it will free up 2 connections with the ethernet and firewire. It may be the answer although I wish it had one more TB port.

Mar 5, 2013 7:10 AM in response to Dwight Joslin

i put together a list of pro's and cons for the only 3 hubs (to be) available here


MacBook Docking stations as of Feb 2013

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1521444&page=9


Matrox - DS-1 $249

PORTS:
1x Thunderbolt
1x USB 3.0
1x Ethernet
1x HDMI
2x USB 2.0
Audio In/Out

Belkin - Thunderbolt Express $299

PORTS:
2x Thunderbolt
3x USB 3.0
1x Ethernet
1x Firewire 800
Audio In/Out

Henge - Horizontal Dock $249 - ($349 Thunderbolt)

PORTS:
1x Firewire 800
1x Ethernet
1x SD card
6x USB3.0
3x Video(Thunderbolt or DisplayPort)?
2x audio out

Each have their own pro's and con's

Matrox

PRO:
HDMI
CON:
USB2
No thunderbolt out
Notes:
While it is the cheapest of the bunch, i'd hardly say it's worth $250
Also its the least good looking if that matters to you

Belkin

Pro:
3x USB 3.0
Can Daisy chain thunderbolt
Con:
Price
availability

Henge

Pro
6 USB 3
3 video... though i can't make out if thats thunderbolt or display port
2x audio outs... could be useful for headphones or speakers
SD Card slot (while not easily accessible this is an excellent ad on)
Con:
Price
Availability

Apr 5, 2013 3:06 PM in response to Michael Paine

Sonnet are taking pre-release orders for a dock that is similar to the purported Sunix:

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

(thanks Macrumours)


PRO

SATA hard drive dock

Blu-ray optical disk writer

4 USB3 (2 front 2 back)

1 ethernet

Firewire 800 (like that!)

2 SATA ports

Daisychain Thunderbolt


CON

$450 (not bad really for the above feaures)

Online sales only to North America

Thunderbolt Hubs and docking stations

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