What you need to know about Thunderbolt 4 docks and 11th Gen / 12th Gen Core laptops before you buy!

[@GetThunderbolt]

If you have a Thunder tech tip you want to share, or a Thunderbolt-related topic you want to request, then tag #ThunderboltTechTips in the comments section below and let us know. Also feel free to leave us some feedback!

[@scottbogfoot]

So I'm looking at the j5create 8K Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station (JTD562) it says it has backwards compatibility with thunderbolt 3. My dell xps 9500 has thunderbolt 3/ usb-c 3.1gen ports with PD and monitor. So I'm good to go, right?

[@catchthemomentproductions9743]

Wow, I didn't realize how powerful and quick a setup with a thunderbolt dock is. Definitely adding one to my to buy list now! I would love to see how creators are using docks and thunderbolt 4 to increase their productivity. #thunderbolttechtips

[@GetThunderbolt]

Check out our Thunderbolt In Real Life playlist to hear from creators, gamers, and everyday workers how they are utilizing Thunderbolt 4: kzbin.info/aero/PLO3XjMzDHw00ywUKVwXL013zdKoXQ2zXu 😁

[@chrism3845]

Why is “productivity” the new buzz word now? Don’t people still have something of a personal life anymore? Hmmm….

[@yugiohfanatic1964]

exactly, they cut ports from laptops and make you buy docks and say you will increase productivity, when productivity was already there. Pathetic capitalism for gen z people@@chrism3845

[@Lyle-rp7ud]

#ThunderboltTechTips - Don't forget to enter to win the #Kensington #Thunderbolt4 dock Enter to win a full-size Thunderbolt 4 modern dock here: bit.ly/3IYaLNn #imamintel

[@mattbosley3531]

Caldigit has another dock as well, the Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4) dock. They just released it earlier this month.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Absolutely, it's a fantastic device!

[@jimharrison405]

Lyle and crew, excellent information. I am so glad I found your channel. I have an especially difficult Thunderbolt 4 issue with my Aorus 17X YD laptop. It has a Thunderbolt 4 and no Mini-DisplayPort connections. For background I also have a Aorus 17G, 10th Generation Intel Laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 and Mini-DisplayPort Connections. I also have an HP Reverb G2 Headset. On the older laptop I can use the Thunderbolt 3 or the Mini-DisplayPort connection to connect to the Reverb G2 and it works fine. The FPS was not what I wanted so I got the newer laptop with a 11th Generation Core i9, a 16 GB RTX 3080, and 64 GB or RAM. I go through a number of different brands of adapters cable to from Thunderbolt 4 to DisplayPort 1.4 with no clear video. I can take the same adapter, cable, and VR Headset to the Thunderbolt 3 port on the older laptop and the Video is clear at 90 hz refresh rate. What am I doing wrong? I sent my laptop back to Gigabyte thinking it had a hardware defect. Their RMA and Customer Support Supervisors told me there was nothing wrong and this very expensive laptop does not support VR. I don't want to accept that answer. Would the newer Thunderbolt 4 docks that have a DisplayPort 1.4 port cure the problem? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. If you do not know the answer, can you recommend a support organization or forum that would? I have written to CalDigit to ask if their new TS4 would solve my problem. They have not answered yet, but it has only been a few days. By the way this would be an excellent @/thunderbolttechtips if it can be solved. I have seen on Reddit that I am not the only one with this issue on 11th Generation Intel Laptops.

[@Lyle-rp7ud]

Jim, great detail on your post. My guess is a dock isn’t going to solve your problem given the port from your laptop should be DP1.4 compliant. You might play around with the graphic settings. Not sure if you can disable the 3080 and see if the video clears up. Not a solution, but the difference between your old laptop and new laptop is also the graphics. I would post questions on some graphic forums as well. Wish I I had a good answer for you Jim. Keep us posted.

[@jimharrison405]

@@Lyle-rp7ud Thanks for the response. Let me provide a bit more information and ask a few more questions. I am seeking to understand. My older laptop with the Thunderbolt 3 port has an Nvidia 3080 with 8 GB of VRAM. The newer laptop with Thunderbolt 4 has an Nvidia 3080 with 16 GB of VRAM. What Gigabyte tells me is that all video signals go through the Intel built in graphics card and that is what is giving the VR Headset trouble. Does that make sense? I would think the higher speed ports would go directly to the Nvidia graphics card. Now for my silly question. To meet the Thunderbolt 4 Specification does the vendor have to embed DisplayPort into the port? It is my understanding that Thunderbolt 4 includes DisplayPort 2.0. Is that correct and is it optional or required? Thanks again Lyle for helping me to understand. From what I have read many other 11th Generation Intel laptop have this same problem with driving VR Headsets from Thunderbolt 4. I have also noticed that Aorus from Gigabyte has put the Mini-DisplayPort 1.4a connector back on the side of their 12th Generation Intel Laptops along with a Thunderbolt 4 port. Why is that necessary?

[@garryweil6307]

Wow, thunderbolt 4 can do all that. Awesome.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Absolutely. Thunderbolt 4 offers so many possibilities! ⚡

[@adrianalbertoromerogranado6528]

Thank you very much my friend, that was a pretty explanatory video ! Congratulations, keep it up

[@GetThunderbolt]

Thanks for watching, we're glad we could help!

[@adamsvette]

Lyle tech tips over here is the LTT we have at home

[@JoeGibbs]

Good video, nice explanation and demo. . How about one that shows docks that work on a M1 MacBook?

[@GetThunderbolt]

All products that are certified for Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 should work the exact same across any standard. Here's a list: thunderbolttechnology.net/products

[@appacana]

I have the Kensington model. Pretty Okay for 3 external displays for work .

[@DavidNassau]

Awesome information - great video! Looking good, Lyle!!

[@Lyle-rp7ud]

Living the dream David. Hey congrats again and we should sync up some time, I want to hear about the new gig and talk Thunderbolt.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Thanks for watching David!

[@framedthunder6436]

I use a seagate firecuda One of the Best Buy’s I made😊

[@GetThunderbolt]

That's awesome to hear! What do you mostly use it for? Gaming?

[@bassyey]

Those models are expensive. I just bought a Dell WD22TB4. Works well. It's used all the time in corporate setting and it works fine.

[@UnBubba]

I wish I could find a TB4 dock that is powered by a USB-C connector power supply so that I do not have to carry an extra, dock specific, power brick with me when I am on the road (Lenovo laptop uses USB-C connect for power input). The Lenovo dock that you demo is closest soln, but it uses the newer square connector.

[@roadglide04]

Wow, wow, wow! What a great video. I've been following the Thunderbolt 4 advancements but didn't fully understand the improvements. Your video and demo really made all that clear. Docks with three downstream TBT 4 ports? This is a game changer.

[@GetThunderbolt]

We totally agree! We're happy we could clarify the benefits of Thunderbolt 4 for you. 😁

[@Lyle-rp7ud]

I miss the old days with you Matt. Crazy setups in all hours of the night. Now its crazy setups at home haha. But seriously, Thunderbolt 4 kicking it out of the park.

[@juggernaut316]

were you not able to hardwire ethernet in your demo setup?

[@aaronhinton92]

One thing I've never understood: Do each of the downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports each support 40Gbps individually? Or is that the maximum of all of them combined, considering they plug into the laptop via just a single Thunderbolt 4 port?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Each of the downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports supports 40Gbps individually. Thunderbolt 4 supports four fully functional Thunderbolt 4 ports (one upstream and three downstream) in a docking station, making it the perfect port for maximum productivity

[@aaronhinton92]

@@GetThunderbolt Interesting. So does that mean that the single Thunderbolt 4 port on my computer that connects to my dock is technically capable of 160Gbps, since all four downstream 40Gbps ports are running through that one port to my computer?

[@aaronhinton92]

@@GetThunderbolt I guess I just don't understand. Since the single port going out to the dock is Thunderbolt 4, wouldn't that one port limited to 40Gbps? So how are the three ports on the dock also operable at full 40Gbps speeds? I'm just trying to understand. If all three downstream ports operate at full 40Gbps speeds, then wouldn't that mean that the single cable/port that's connected to the dock technically be transmitting at 160Gbps? Thanks for the explanation!

[@0202fabrice]

​ @aaronhinton92 As I tried to figure things like that out, it seemed there are some common Thunderbolt issues. There are several ways the 40Gb/s signal rate can get divvied up among the possible functions, such as your "4 ports at 40 Gb/s", which in reality means the 40 Gb/s bandwidth is divvied up among them. Users usually do not know exactly what "divvy" they need, or what "divvy" they're going to get with a dock. INTEL certification can help to some extent, but that does not assure functional reliability. The only way to make sense of the many user reviews I read on docks (most not the high-end ones named above), is that with an unsettling frequency, they do not work fully. The buyer usually just finds out whether it did what they needed, often far short of what they're "spec'd" to be capable - the function the user wanted quit working. Depending on the source of the reports/comments, on the order of 5 - 10% of most brands, including some Intel certified, fail partially or completely at that rate within a year. Making matters worse, the low-end suppliers's rhetoric uses sleight of paw to imply Thunderbolt=USB-C, based on the common connector.

[@gajananpatil614]

Hi, I have a 16" M1 Max, Macbook (supports 4 external displays). I need 4 external displays with either 4K(preferred) or 1080p 60Hz, is there any dock which supports 4 external monitos (without displayLink) ? I would love it if it connects with laptop using only single TB4 cable, but even if it takes 2 ports of laptop it will be good for me. Any suggestions please ? Or do I only have one option of using 2 docks on separate TB4 ports of laptop. ?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Interestingly enough, Plugable just debutted their new 4 monitor dock! Check it out www.tomshardware.com/news/plugable-four-monitor-dock

[@Flybyhacker]

Pretty compelling to get Thunderbolt laptop.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Absolutely, you have all the connectivity you need with a thin and light laptop 😁

[@shelleyssocialmedia2715]

Can I hook up 2 external monitors to the OWC doc?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes, Thunderbolt 4 supports up to dual 4K monitors at 60hz!

[@MattJabbariChannel]

I still have to see one with CFexpress reader.... Mostly have SD card reader which is useless as most MACs now a days have it

[@GetThunderbolt]

I would recommend looking at Blackjet and LaCie's products for a solution there.

[@DrMarvinLara]

Which dock allows my laptop top to not have to be open to use?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Several Thunderbolt docks allow you to use your laptop in "closed-clamshell" or "closed-display" mode, which means you can use an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse while your laptop is closed. Here are a few options: CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock: This dock offers a variety of ports, including USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and more. It can provide power to your laptop and supports closed-clamshell mode. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro: This dock also supports closed-clamshell mode and provides a wide range of ports for all your peripherals. Dell WD19TB Thunderbolt Docking Station: This dock is specifically designed for Dell laptops but can work with others that support Thunderbolt 3. It also supports closed-clamshell mode. Remember, the ability to use a laptop in closed-clamshell mode also depends on the laptop itself. Most Apple MacBooks support this feature, and many Windows laptops do as well, but you should check the specific settings or features of your laptop to be sure.

[@DrMarvinLara]

@Thunderbolt thanks for all those tips! Nobody ever talks about this feature in their reviews. I my old computer is an HP elitebook 820 and the dock is amazing since you never have to touch the laptop. Built in power button on the dock is amazing, but I wasn't able to find one with the same features for my new Asus Vivobook

[@OrthodoxTrooper]

Hey there maybe a dum question, but if I connect Thunderbolt 4 dock with 90w or 100w power charge and connect my lap top charger whitch is a 240W in the same time will it mess with one another maybe burn my lap top? Legion 7 1200h rtx3060 here.

[@GetThunderbolt]

It won't be able to properly charge and may stay at the same battery or even lose power. It won't be harmful, but you're recommended to use the charger that came with the laptop. The power delivery is more so meant for thin and light laptops.

[@bujin5455]

What's I'm curious about is it safe to plug one of these docks into a regular desktop with Thunderbolt 4? Or would the dock try to back feed power to the desktop?

[@GetThunderbolt]

If a laptop or any computer doesn't need the power from the dock (it has its own power source or needs more than what power delivery offers), it will just draw power from its own power source. So you should have no issues in that regard.

[@dragonong]

Hello. Love the video and learn quite a bit from this channel. Just wondering is it possible to setup two PC laptops and sharing two Monitors through just one docking station?

[@GetThunderbolt]

The simple answer is no. Only one Laptop will enumerate the device and you will see it in the device manager. Once you unplug that laptop the other can re-enumerate it as it’s own. I hope this helps clarify! However, this can be achieved with KVM switch.

[@dragonong]

@@GetThunderbolt Thank you so much for the reply.

[@chrism3845]

Bloody great vid. Thanks

[@GetThunderbolt]

Thanks for watching Chris!

[@kaneljhawk]

What have you heard about the new Dell Universal dock to be released in May?

[@GetThunderbolt]

You'll have to wait and see 😉

[@andrews13]

So what I need to have.. Thunderbolt cable Thunderbolt dock ( Thinkpad) .

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes along with a laptop that also has Thunderbolt. :)

[@ronlevy7288]

Do the Thunderbolt 4 docks require that the USB port in the computer itself is Thunderbolt 4 compatible?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes if you want to take full advantage. If you are using a Thunderbolt 4 dock with a Thunderbolt 3 cable or port on your computer, you will have limited connectivity or it may not even work. You need a Thunderbolt 4 cable and a Thunderbolt 4 port on both ends for full connectivity.

[@sphchurch]

The problem I have is not enough usb-c ports. Don’t care about USB A need C. Even Ankers 13-1 don’t provide enough USB-C. I have connected to mine 3 external Hard drives, the other day my Mac-mini shut down two of the drives for drawing to much power. Could I take the Anker and plug a usb c hub into one of the USB-c ports and get around the power issue?

[@SKproductions486]

props to the editor for masking out his head

[@alexnilev7779]

Hi. And what kind of adapters do you use when you connected HDMI to THUNDERBOLT?

[@justme0098]

USB-C to HDMI. You can buy adapters or full length cables

[@codeone6423]

thank you realy helpful

[@JustChillingOut]

#ThunderboltTechTips ~What about high speed SSD enclosures for Thunderbolt 4, as I'm on the new Mac Studio M1. Two days of shopping and learning and I'm still at a loss. Thanks.

[@GetThunderbolt]

There aren't many Thunderbolt 4 storage solutions because the speed didn't change from Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 4. You can find all our certified products here: www.thunderbolttechnology.net/products And you can shop on our Amazon store for storage solutions here: www.amazon.com/stores/page/394B2EDF-F52C-4207-9384-854EA9751EEF

[@justme0098]

Thunderbolt 3 SSD's utilize 4 PCIe lanes, while Thunderbolt 4 SSD's can only utilize 1 PCIe lanes due to the device side chip. So Thunderbolt 3 SSD is the best SSD solution. That's why you don't see many Thunderbolt 4 SSD's

[@toddcrawford6287]

Does the Kensington dock support M1 and M2 for dual monitors?

[@gelucci86]

I connected wavlink thunderbolt 4 dock to my Rtx3070ti laptop. Then, I connected 3 1080p monitors to dock but i can not setup nvidia surround. The monitos are connected to integrated gpu instead of nvidia gpu. Disappointed

[@silversulu]

Would’ve been nice to her how loud some of these are - some dock fans on TB docks are intolerably loud.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Thanks for the suggestion, we will consider that for future episodes! 😃

[@GetThunderbolt]

A majority of the Thunderbolt docks are actually fanless, so no noise from the dock.

[@billyhamlen9610]

do u have to have the lid and turn the PC power on OR there is a way to wake up the PC? thx

[@GetThunderbolt]

To wake from sleep, you can just touch the keyboard or mouse when your laptop is connected to a docking station. That's one of Thunderbolt 4's great features!

[@terryyan2023]

Great video. I received my new Dell xps15 and the dock I'm currently using can only provide 100W, while the xps15 requires 130w. Does this mean that I have to choose the Dell WD19S/WD19TBS, as these two are the only product on the market that can provide 130W output.

[@GetThunderbolt]

The Dell WD19S still only delivers 90W of power. You can still use these docks for power delivery, but they won't give your laptop the full power it needs.

[@Quovio]

What's the make/model of the monitor & webcam you're using?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Here's the link toe the products: www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-premiercolor-monitor-up2720q/apd/210-avbk/monitors-monitor-accessories www.logitech.com/en-us/products/webcams/brio-4k-hdr-webcam.960-001105.html?irclickid=Wum0EZSAqxyIRY6XoW24CWWOUkDwfVwly1bs1Y0&irgwc=1

[@Quovio]

@@GetThunderbolt thank you.

[@marcpinion]

I will update the computer in my studio in the next 12 months.Do I stick with PC or go Mac is not the question. I have 10 usb 2/3 pro music bits of kit that I will not change and will only add more. ( 32 channel mixer a load of pro synths and drum machines etc ) and then there is the external drives and keyboard and mouse. How realistic or reliable would it be to have a say 2 10 X usb A powered hubs plugged into a thunderbolt 4 dock some even have space for external drives not necessary if I stay PC but if I go Mac maybe useful. What advice can you give regarding expanding a thunderbolt 4 dock with extra usb A ports. Thanks

[@GetThunderbolt]

If your current dock doesn't offer enough ports, you can attach USB A powered hubs with no problem as docks support a good amount of bandwidth and power. You can also daisy chain Thunderbolt docks to add more ports. Just make sure your Thunderbolt devices are ahead of the USB A devices in the daisy chain.

[@dondave40]

So you use that as your power source and connect your iMac 🖥 to it……so do you have to buy cable to connect from iMac to thunder bolt

[@GetThunderbolt]

You need to have a Thunderbolt cable to connect to a Thunderbolt compatible computer to a Thunderbolt device, yes.

[@dondave40]

@@GetThunderbolt thanks

[@dondave40]

@@GetThunderbolt the cable ,does it come with thunder bolt package 📦 or do I need to buy one …please can you link me which cable I need to buy please Sir

[@GetThunderbolt]

All Thunderbolt devices (docks, monitors, eGfx, storage, audio, etc.) come with Thunderbolt cables. You can purchase Thunderbolt cables as well, such as the new 2m Thunderbolt 4 cable which is great for extra length.

[@dondave40]

@@GetThunderbolt thanks

[@JohnDoe-gb3zh]

I am planning to purchase Lenovo Legion Gen 8 laptop (7i line) and in Gen 8 (comparing with Gen 7) the number of TB 4 ports has been reduced from 2 to 1. I've never used anything TB hence this question: what am I really losing with not having one extra TB port? I want to connect 2 4K external monitors for general "office" workload, photo and video editing (also possibly some sort of external TB drive). I know I can just use TB dock with multiple TB outputs but then I am still limited to a single bandwidth pipeline to the laptop. So am I bottlenecked in any ways? Laptop, of course, also has additional USB-C and USB-A ports.

[@GetThunderbolt]

You aren't bottlenecked with 1 port. Multiple ports are more so useful for on the go users who may have 1 or 2 devices to use, but for a 1 cable setup with a dock, 1 port is all you need! :)

[@JohnDoe-gb3zh]

@@GetThunderbolt thanks!

[@EduMiguel16]

Why does everyone talk about 4k 60hz? What about 144hz? I'm trying to find a dock that fits my 144hz monitor. Is it possible?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Thunderbolt4 supports DP1.4a, if this monitor is based on DP1.4a too, 144Hz is expected to work. :)

[@leotsuda]

@@GetThunderbolt I have the same question too. So as long as the bandwidth of 4k 60Hz is a match for like 1080p 240Hz, any Thunderbolt 4 should support it?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@leotsuda Yes, it should be able to handle 1080p at 240Hz, but it's always important to double check the technical specifications of the devices you're using. For example if you are using a dock, that it can support that refresh rate depending on the video protocol used (HDMI, Displayport, etc.).

[@mitch1958no1]

Suggestion for future - might want to comment on compatibility. Was impressed with the Anker 777 but when i went to their website saw that it does not support Apple M1 chips on the macbook pro.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Thanks for the suggestion David! We did note in the title and description it was for 11/12th gen Intel laptops, but we'll try to include a more clear disclaimer in the next video.

[@mitch1958no1]

@@GetThunderbolt - sorry about missing the disclaimer - so maybe hubs for Mac’s might be an idea?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@mitch1958no1 Yeah that could be a great topic. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@kriskhaira]

@@GetThunderbolt Does this support the M2 Pro though?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@kriskhaira Any laptops that have Thunderbolt can utilize Thunderbolt devices.

[@jamesbottiger4975]

Hi I have Levono Legend 5 gaming laptop. Can you tell my what dock is best for this laptop thanks

[@GetThunderbolt]

There is no perfect dock for each laptop, it's more about what you prefer as a user. It could be the number of ports, the design, etc. Any certified Thunderbolt 4 dock will be great for you. See our docks here: www.amazon.com/stores/page/4605690C-92F1-49E2-8A62-D41485AD4DE8?ingress=0&visitId=b26ca07e-65c6-4c3b-a130-d25f39ef1e42

[@GetThunderbolt]

The great news is you can use any Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 dock. There are some nice Thunderbolt gaming docks that provide storage and extra ports as an example. Check out this video to see a Seagate Thunderbolt 3 dock in action kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6GUYaCva6-cY6c

[@mato2126]

Would you recommend Dell WD22TB4 dock station if l have 2 Dell 27" monitors 1440p running from 1080p Laptop with Intel graphics 5000 and Nvidia gtx 950M?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Your laptop would also have to be Thunderbolt 4, but that should work fine via HDMI/Displayport from the dock.

[@mato2126]

@@GetThunderbolt Thanks for the reply. Is there any dock station that supports 120hz or are most 60hz? My two monitors are 120 hz but l think it doesn't matter if my laptop us only 60hz. Although in future l might play xbox in high refresh rate

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@mato2126 All docks vary, you may have to shop around. Check out our Amazon store for the latest Thunderbolt 4 docks: www.amazon.com/stores/page/A7E9683D-CE72-4374-8A1B-9693F6C72BA9

[@markniefer8420]

My IT department will not install drivers on my work laptop. Which of these docks can be used without installing drivers?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Hey Mark, No. You shouldn’t need to install any software or drivers to make things work. Connect your Thunderbolt laptop with any Thunderbolt accessory, and they simply work together.

[@erdemguner]

if i have a 120 hz monitor do will this work with an capable usb to display port cable as well?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes, it should work just fine. Just make sure you buy the right adapter or connect via a dock.

[@applepieberlin]

@@GetThunderbolt but it will just work with 60 hz right? Because the docs you have showed are not capable to transfer more then 60hz as I read. Or do I am wrong?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@applepieberlin No, you do still need something that fully supports the monitor. So it can't just be any device. For example, the Startech USBC to DisplayPort adapter supports 4k 120hz

[@driftlessheights6177]

My new Dell XPS15 9510 came with a 130 watt power supply. Does myn ew thunderbolt docking station need to have 130 watts also? Am I going to fry it with the 130 watt supply? My previous HP notebook ran slow with the supplied underpowered power supply. The docks spec all say 100 watt max or less except those big Dell docks. Would it be better to put the power supply direct to the PC and then connect all via a USB-c hub?

[@GetThunderbolt]

You have the mighty H-Series processor, so that laptop will require more than what your typical Thunderbolt docking station will provide. It is recommended that you power your laptop with the power supply that came with it. The laptop has different power profiles and will know to use the laptop charger, even when the dock is also plugged in. The laptop will look at all power sources and choose the best one.

[@driftlessheights6177]

Thank you, that is reassuring. Didnt want to fry anything. Just ordered the Anker 777 thunderbolt 4 station. @@GetThunderbolt

[@adamsacresfarm]

considering working with Dell 130 watt requirements would a hub be just as efficient as a dock?

[@PeterJohnston42]

Is a Thunderbolt 4 dock worthwhile if you have a Ryzen 5000 based laptop?

[@GetThunderbolt]

If you're just using USB-C then you may not be able to support the full capabilities of a Thunderbolt dock and are better off using a USB-C dock.

[@elcolin_]

So what's everyone (or yours) favorite/best docking station out there? Now or historically (recently) that has a good blend of price/performance/value?

[@GetThunderbolt]

All those in this video review are great choices, it really comes down to personal preference at the end of the day

[@KainsTorment]

Is there a Thunderbolt 4 port only without any multi ports? Or do I need a PCIe? I have a 2019 Mac Pro

[@GetThunderbolt]

The most Thunderbolt 4 ports you'll get on a dock currently is 4 and there are no Thunderbolt only certified docks. If you're looking for something minimal then the Caldigit Element Hub may be right for you.

[@KainsTorment]

@@GetThunderbolt thanks what’s the cheapest but good Thunderbolt 4 hub dock thing?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@KainsTorment There is no cheapest option because they all vary with what they offer. See our deals section for some good sales: www.amazon.com/stores/page/59274C51-278A-4234-9D69-3685A581D727?ingress=0&visitId=374a2b59-aea5-4406-a105-440859bc5219

[@kristianthompson7072]

I wanted to add something here that might help some people out. I bought a QGeeM 16 in 1 Thunderbolt 4 docking station and hooked it up. It worked fine, all of the sudden it didn't. I could NOT get it to work. I even ordered a replacement thinking it might be bad. I tried everything. double checked the BIOS, reloaded the software for the motherboard etc. I could not find ANYTHING on the net to help me figure out what the problem was. I still don't know what the problem was, the port worked fine, I could direct connect things to it but the docking station simply wouldn't. Well, tonight I just removed the RAM from the motherboard because I was upgrading from 32 -> 64GB. I noticed that after I started the computer all of the sudden the docking station started working. I have no idea what the issue was but it would appear that removing and reinstalling (or in my case, replacing) the memory seemed to reset something and make the docking station start working for some reason. I just wanted to share this because I found absolutely NOTHING out there that addressed this issue and I've looked for a couple weeks now.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Sorry to hear about that! It's important that the laptop you connect to the dock has Thunderbolt 4 and that you're also using a Thunderbolt 4 cable too. But if there are specific device issues you'll have to reach out to QGeem for help. We only work on the standard and certification.

[@kristianthompson7072]

@@GetThunderbolt Understood, please be aware that the computer most certainly does have thunderbolt 4 ports (2 in fact) and I am using exclusively thunerbolt 4 cables, so all of that is right. Still no idea what the issue was but reseating the memory fixed it, just wanted to share that with folks that may be having the same issue, doing everything right but just stops working. Thanx

[@dennisschultz1175]

#Thunderbolttechtips I have a Dell Alienware M3 that has Thunderbolt 3. Can I use the Anker dock with it. The website said it does not support Windows Thunderbolt 3 devices.

[@GetThunderbolt]

You cannot properly use a Thunderbolt 4 dock with a Thunderbolt 3 laptop only because certain features like having 4 Thunderbolt ports are only supported by Thunderbolt 4.

[@dennisschultz1175]

@@GetThunderbolt will they just become thunderbolt 3 then? What about HDMI outs?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@dennisschultz1175 Thunderbolt 3 cannot support 4 Thunderbolt ports, so no it wouldn't work correctly. You're better off getting a Thunderbolt 3 dock for a Thunderbolt 3 laptop.

[@ray-pingminors1210]

I can understand thunderbolts utility for laptop users. but for PC users its like The PC is the dock. 1 pcie 5.0 lane has 32gb of band width. so what if your cable has 40gb/s. 16x32gb is way more PCIE Slots are still better.

[@GetThunderbolt]

For desktop users who want to use external devices like a RAID backup, NAS, DAS, or otherwise, it's still a great option.

[@mbd8531]

What's the difference between a tb4 dock that sells for 50 dollars and one that sells for 300+? They seem to have the same connections

[@GetThunderbolt]

Can you give us an example? The difference is likely that the $50 one isn't certified and thus isn't guaranteed to actually work properly

[@chosn12]

Can you use any of these docks/hubs to connect a M1 MacBook Pro to dual external displays via USB-C?

[@GetThunderbolt]

You could connect dual 4K monitors with Thunderbolt! :)

[@ikda12]

Nice video :). #ThunderboltTechTips I would be interested in Thunderbolt Docks/Hubs which work without issues under Linux as most vendors are not able to specify this in their specs.

[@GetThunderbolt]

The main guarantee is support for Windows and MacOs with our certification. We don't have specific insights on Linux compatibility for every device.

[@sfai05]

Is there any thunderbolt 4 docks with kvm switch?

[@GetThunderbolt]

We'll get back to you about this, thanks for your patience!

[@GetThunderbolt]

There are no TBT docks today with KVM switches.

[@sadiquldey9095]

I don't like all the cables! I'm lucky my OS & data m.2 NVMe drives are super fast. For long term data space I have 2 4tb hdd's. So I'm set, just have tower & monitor, no extra cables on my desktop. It would be nice to have a fast storage external via thunderbolt, but I'll wait till those prices drop. A 4tb NVMe with thunderbolt enclosure is about R6000 / $350. Still too expensive right now.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Thunderbolt helps you get rid of that cable mess! Yes you can always enter our contests we run once every quarter to win a device like an external storage SSD.

[@Fatih-xl7yn]

Can you recommend a dock with only usb and without power delivery? I want to charge the MacBook with the oem charger and want to run multiple external hard drives. Hard to find one.

[@GetThunderbolt]

All Thunderbolt 4 docks have power delivery but that doesn't limit you in anyway. You'll also likely want to use Thunderbolt for external hard drives for faster speeds given you get Thunderbolt compatible external storage. No issue with using your laptop charger and using a powered Thunderbolt dock at the same time. Your laptop will pick the best power source.

[@pehenry]

Dumb question. Can I plug a eGPU dock into one of the downstream Thunderbolt ports of the doc?

[@GetThunderbolt]

You can daisy chain up to 6 devices! To avoid issues, try make sure they are in order by power usage.

[@SouthbayCreations]

Thanks for the video! I’m trying to find a solution to connect four 4k monitors to my MacBook Pro. My MacBook is maxed out with M1 Max, 64gb memory so the laptop will support it. Which product do you recommend? Thanks for your help! Jason

[@GetThunderbolt]

You may want to research different Thunderbolt docks that have MST built in and see if that will enable you to meet your needs with more monitors. It will come down to compatibility and you will need to research that. MST is Multi Stream Transport and a technology that some docks use for display features.

[@SouthbayCreations]

@@GetThunderbolt OK great! Thanks for the info

[@MrVadymMykh]

@@GetThunderbolt as far as I know, MacOS doesn't support MST. But I might be wrong

[@PendelSteven]

All this talk about laptops... My new build will have no videocard and on the motherboard are one HDMI-port and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. So the only way to connect multiple monitors on my new PC is via the Thunderbolt 4 ports. And if I can daisychain them, I can use the other port to hook a hub to. Yeah you heard that right. No videocard: the videochip in the 12900k can run 4 x 4000 k screens and I game on my PlayStation and Nintendo.

[@GetThunderbolt]

We love innovative solutions with Thunderbolt. Send us a picture of your setup!

[@MontyDeane]

Hi thanks for this. Im a bit confused, I guess. I purchased the SD5700T , but not sure how to configure it correctly. Im not using a laptop, so have no desire to charge one. Seems like thats thats how many are using this but, not me. I have a brand new Imac 24, with 4 usb c ports (thunderbolt) No Ethernet port. So I got this dock to allow me to connect to my network via netgear Gs108 ethernet router, connecting my (MyCloud Ex4100/Ethernet) and (MyCloud P2100 Ethernet) both powered independently. My (usb hub) connected to usb 10g port on back of dock. Im wondering if I should use all 4 ports on the Imac to divide up some of the power requirements? Im also wondering if I should use the usb hub exclusively on one of the thunderbolt ports on the back of imac, converted from USB to USB c. usb hub only, as it could require more power depending on how many ports on the usb are being used? Although WyCloud drives are on the network, (Connected only via ethernet, no power requirements from the 5700) when I was transferring files, the Kensington, would lock up my drives, my tv Connected to xfinty router, via network the drives on the network, would drop. Those drives are not connected to the 5700, yet when transferring files from one drive to another, it would occasionally lock up, and I would have to power cycle the 5700, to get my drives back. I may have it connected incorrectly, as I have never used this dock before. Im hearing that others are having similar issues. Dont know if I should scrap this and get something else. Any suggestions are appreciated

[@GetThunderbolt]

If there is an issue with the iMac, you'll need help from Apple or if there's an issue with the Kensington dock, then you will need Kensington to help you. However, we would recommend that you make sure since only 2/4 of the ports on the iMac are Thunderbolt, that you have your dock and any other Thunderbolt accessories plugged into the Thunderbolt ports marked with a Thunderbolt logo to ensure it works properly.

[@brokecsstudent]

Can i connect my Razer Core to a Thunderbolt 4 port? Will it work on a laptop?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes, any Thunderbolt 3 device will work on a Thunderbolt 4 enabled PC.

[@chicagobob]

I need a dock that can support two 5k TB monitors-- any suggestions?

[@GetThunderbolt]

We don’t support Dual 5K yet. It’s Dual 4K or single 5K, 6K, or 8K

[@dondave40]

Can you use usb on this device

[@GetThunderbolt]

Absolutely, Thunderbolt is backwards compatible with older USB technologies!

[@dondave40]

Thanks

[@randalalansmith9883]

Now that I have a current MacBook, I grabbed some USB-C adapters for my USB devices. I wonder if I'm gonna start seeing thunderbolt devices by 2025. I've already got a native HDMI port.

[@GetThunderbolt]

There are tons of Thunderbolt devices available now. Check out our Amazon store to see all the latest products: www.amazon.com/stores/page/A7E9683D-CE72-4374-8A1B-9693F6C72BA9

[@randalalansmith9883]

I already bought drives for the next 4 years. 3x 10TB for under $700.

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@randalalansmith9883 Oh okay fantastic! We just wanted to let you know that there are so many devices already available. No need to wait until 2025. :)

[@thanhavictus]

Can I use a new usb4 amd laptop in my old thunderbolt 3 dock?

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes Thunderbolt 3 devices should work fine with USB4 though we cannot guarantee products that aren't Thunderbolt certified. Certified products are listed here: thunderbolttechnology.net/products

[@thanhavictus]

@@GetThunderbolt thanks for answering my question! I'm looking forward to using new USB4AMD for everything. This one niche was the one thing holding back AMD against Intel, and now they can just take over

[@ci.hardware.ic3d]

can it utilize NVIDIA or AMD GPUs to drive CAD applications?

[@GetThunderbolt]

You can use any GPU with a Thunderbolt enabled eGPU.

[@ci.hardware.ic3d]

@@GetThunderbolt so NO, Thanks!

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@ci.hardware.ic3d The answer as explained above is yes. If you're using an eGPU, you can use any GPU inside that enclosure with Thunderbolt.

[@ci.hardware.ic3d]

@@GetThunderbolt if i don’t want eGPU, it cost extra and extra peripherals to fiddle around. I need a docking that can use the dedicated GPU NVIDIA or AMD on my laptop to drive the monitors. can it do that?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@ci.hardware.ic3d There are no docking stations that have dedicated graphics. If you mean is there are dock that can utilize your dedicated graphics card for your monitors, then yes. All Thunderbolt 4 docks can run dual 4K monitors, a 5K, a 6K, or even an 8K monitor.

[@master_macros]

How do I check port interface that you are showing at 01:36 please?

[@GetThunderbolt]

For any laptop you are shopping for, there will be a technical specifications section that should include ports. Just make sure it has Thunderbolt 4 listed to ensure you are getting the latest in port technology.

[@reapagedk]

How am I just finding out about this

[@GetThunderbolt]

The future can't stay hidden for long!

[@Bikeadelic]

He only talks about thunderbolt 4 but thunderbolt 3 meets most peoples needs. You only need TB4 if you want 2 or more displays at 4k. TB3 will connect you to one dissplay at 4k plus power etc.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes, because we've already done all of our videos on Thunderbolt 3, now we're focused on Thunderbolt 4. Thunderbolt 3 will satisfy most people's needs, you're correct.

[@Bikeadelic]

@@GetThunderbolt did you shout it out in this video?

[@GetThunderbolt]

@@Bikeadelic No as we've already made many videos on Thunderbolt 3 already.

[@carlostrewartha5565]

I'm a Samsung Odyssey g9 owner that supports DSC display port to 240hz in a Ultra Wide resolution. I can't find the proper dock that says it support those specs out of the box. Can you guys point me to the right direction? @GetThunderbolt

[@synovium]

I am trying to figure out how to ask these questions since I am new to this technology. Can any of theseThunderbolt 4 docks be used with an imac24 with 8/8/16 core m1 chip Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s) USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) capabilities and connect to the doc a thunderbolt 3 or 4 SSD driver to run as an external drive? I suggest using Sabrent Rocket XTRM-Q 1TB USB 3.2 / Thunderbolt 3 External SSD (SB-XTMQ-1TB). Finally, will the transfer data rates still be hoovering around 40GB/sec despite going from a thunderbolt 4 dick to a thunderbolt 3 machine?

[@GetThunderbolt]

The data rates would be unaffected however, you cannot properly utilize a Thunderbolt 4 dock with a Thunderbolt 3 computer. Thunderbolt 3 cannot support the 4 Thunderbolt ports offered by a Thunderbolt 4 dock and other features offered by Thunderbolt 4. You may get limited capacity, but it's not recommended. You're better off using a Thunderbolt 3 dock with your current setup to achieve what you want.

[@GothicKittyMadness]

strange how he only talked about PC when Apple invented Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 4 is on all the newer MacBooks.....

[@ugghhhyoutubeisawful646]

network ur computers (set up ur own vpn...use google if u dont know how) and skip all the cables and bs.

[@GetThunderbolt]

A great way to do this is over Thunderbolt if you want to use a NAS and get the fastest transfer speeds!

[@nathanmadox3364]

You seem like an awesome reviewer and tester, but you REALLY narrowed your scope with your name and such. You could be a big tech youtuber not just the thunderbolt expert

[@Tirth-Patel]

😜

[@amateurwizard]

Now that it's being merged with USB, I have a can foster my interest in Thunderbolt. Great protocol.

[@Roland-Lewis]

My new laptop is Evo capable, so I guess it is time to ditch the old Thunderbolt 3 dock I have. Nice video.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yeah you can now take advantage of everything Thunderbolt 4 has to offer you! :)

[@arlenegando9658]

Hi! I just want to know if all Thunderbolt 4 supports external GPU? The specific laptop is Acer A514-55-37VX.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Yes absolutely! Thunderbolt supports external GPUs.

[@andrews13]

Perfect!!! Well explained!! This was what I was looking for.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@chengtony9891]

Does eGPU efficiency go down if it pass through a thunderbolt 4 dock instead of directly into the PC?

[@GetThunderbolt]

It shouldn't affect the efficiency, but where possible you want to put high performance devices at the front of the daisy chain of devices.

[@DigitalChivalry]

Just bought an MSI G16P Creator laptop and now have my first ever Thunderbolt port (version 4), I'm shopping around trying to find a dock that will suit my needs with the intent to replace my desktop so I'm not working with a desktop and a laptop and can slim down my workflow (photographer). This video was a big help, and I'm going to take a look at the rest of your content too now that I'm subscribed. Thanks!

[@GetThunderbolt]

This is a good place to look for Thunderbolt 4 docks: www.amazon.com/stores/page/4605690C-92F1-49E2-8A62-D41485AD4DE8?ingress=0&visitId=e894c826-18e7-436c-acb5-95530b98a7ca We're glad this was helpful for you! :)

[@crawford323]

The best way to confirm what actually the cable you are using if the INDUSTRY LABELED THE DARN THINGS! But nooooooooo!

[@CyberTechBits]

#ThunderboltTechTips great video. I would love to know the Thunderbolt 4 hub/dock that you demonstrated at the end of the video. I don't think it was actually one you reviewed.

[@GetThunderbolt]

This is the Thunderbolt 4 dock from OWC - www.owc.com/solutions/thunderbolt-dock

[@mathieuc8770]

Just a question: can you start an stop your computer with the dock station ? I mean without opening the laptop to press the ON button

[@GetThunderbolt]

No, there aren't any current certified Thunderbolt docks offer power control for you laptop.

[@justme0098]

HP, Dell, Lenovo have power buttons on their docks, but only work with same brand PC.

[@mv8167]

I could use your kind help, if possible. I have a MacBook Pro (2023) and have a HP Thunderbolt G2 docking station. After I plug the USB-C cable in to the MacBook, the MacBook Desktop goes empty except for the desktop’s background image, but my 43” monitor stays black. If I then plug in my Dell laptop, everything works fine. Are there any settings I need to set to 1) to get the desktop/etc. to show on my 43” monitor, 2) Why does my computer shut down when I am using the USB-C and I close the MacBook Pro’s lid? Also, not sure if it matters, I run my HP docking station trough a IOGEAR 4-Port HDMI KVM switch where I have three machines running. Only one laptop, the MacBook, uses the Thunderbolt dock.. The other two work fine.

[@GetThunderbolt]

KVM switches can be tricky for compatibility. Are you using a USB-C cable or a Thunderbolt cable for your dock?

[@briangreene4277]

great video. Question - I have Alienware M17 R3 laptop with hdmi port & thunderbolt 4 usbc port trying to connect to my dual Alienware AW3418DW monitors & Alienware AW510k keyboard + Alienware wireless AW610m mouse. what thunderbolt 4 hub would you recommend to run all these items. thanks for your help.

[@GetThunderbolt]

Any of the docks we reviewed in the video are great choices, but it really comes down to preference and budget. You can find all the certified Thunderbolt 4 docks and products here: thunderbolttechnology.net/products.

[@blueplanettrips]

hello this is a nice video for non tech fellows like me. i have some (stupid as usual) questions. So i am planning to buy a laptop that will have thunderbolt 4 and I need to hook that up to the Apple Studio Display, which is a 5K monitor. I notice that you keep on saying throughout the video 4K. So if I have buy a thunderbolt 4 hub to connect to a 5K Apple monitor, then which dock should I get? thanks

[@GetThunderbolt]

Any certified Thunderbolt dock should be able to support a single 5K monitor with Thunderbolt. Here's a link to all of our certified products: www.thunderbolttechnology.net/products Here's a link to our Amazon store: www.thunderbolttechnology.net/productswww.amazon.com/stores/page/4605690C-92F1-49E2-8A62-D41485AD4DE8?ingress=0&visitId=5efea45d-d02d-4010-b8cb-272b01f18dcb

[@iagocotta426]

Can I use a normal USB-C cable on a Macbook thunderbolt 4 port or should i buy a specific thunderbolt 4 cable?

[@GetThunderbolt]

You can use a normal USB-C cable as it's backwards compatible, but it will not support a Thunderbolt device. For Thunderbolt devices you need Thunderbolt throughout the entire workflow to support them. This means you need a laptop with Thunderbolt, a Thunderbolt cable, and a Thunderbolt device.

[@aswanism]

I always have a doubt to buy dock station. This video absolutely convinced me to buy a good one! Thank you!

[@hubmaster1]

Hey man, great video! Interested in reviewing our latest TB4 Dock?😎

[@GetThunderbolt]

We don't necessarily do individual product reviews, but do get in touch if you'd like to collaborate in some way.

[@jessed1709]

I think this guy was paid for every time he says "thunderbolt 4".

[@GetThunderbolt]

Not exactly in the contract, but it didn't hurt ;-)

[@BrentCooper8]

I just found your channel and loved your video! I have a have a 16" MacBook Pro with a M1 Max chip so it can support "Up to three external displays with up to 6K resolution and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz" per Apple's website. I am currently using my work provided Windows laptop through a thunderbolt dock connecting to two 1080p monitors via display port. Is there a dock you would recommend that I could replace my current dock with, add another monitor for 3 total, and have it set up so I can just plug one cable into either my work or personal laptop? All displays would be basic 60hz 1080p so I don't think bandwidth will be an issue. Thanks! And great video!

[@GetThunderbolt]

All the dock offer different advantages, but we recommend you ask the Thunderbolt community on Reddit or our Facebook group for recommendations: facebook.com/groups/getthunderbolt/. However it cannot support 3 external displays that are 4k and above. It supports dual 4K, and single 5K, 6K, or 8K.

[@cursedswordsman]

Impossible, as one Thunderbolt connection can only support 2 screens max

[@marwanak10]

Love this

[@jariszulqarnain4241]

can a thunderbolt 4 dock work on a laptop with thunderbolt 3?

[@GetThunderbolt]

A Thunderbolt 3 Laptop (going as far back as Intel Gen 9) will work with limited capability on a Thunderbolt 4 dock. Anything before gen 9 laptop will have minimum to no functionality on a Thunderbolt 4 Dock.