Why this 11-port dock is ideal for professionals who journey

Docks and hubs at the moment are a typical a part of life, as we make use of the flexibility of ports similar to Thunderbolt and USB-C (or, it the opposite approach, the shortage of ports on fashionable methods). 

Most customers’ wants are easy, simply needing to show a USB-C port right into a USB-A, HDMI, or an SD card reader, and velocity and efficiency aren’t actually an enormous consideration.

Additionally: Microsoft’s $300 Thunderbolt 4 dock is low-key a dream MacBook Air accent

Professionals want extra. Demand extra. And that is the place high-end, high-speed docks which can be bristling with ports come into play.

However greater docks often include an enormous, heavy draw back — most want a cumbersome exterior energy provide. They’re effective when you solely ever use your dock in your desk, however an actual ache if it must be moveable, as you must carry an enormous energy brick round.

The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock modifications this. 

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OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

An 11-port dock geared toward media professionals who deal with a whole lot of knowledge. This dock has the massive benefit of not needing an influence brick, making it excellent for many who do not need to be tied to their desk.

OWC Thunderbolt Go tech specs

• Ports: 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), with one supporting 90W charging, 1x USB-C 3.2, 10Gbps, 2x USB-A, 10Gbps, 1x USB-A 2.0, 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, 1x HDMI, 1x SD card slot, 1x 3.5mm audio jack
• Powerful, heat-dissipating aluminum development in a Area Grey end
• Help for as much as one 8K show @ 60Hz
• Energy cable and 0.7m (28 inches) Thunderbolt 4 cable
• 100~240V, 50~60Hz, 1.5A worldwide energy enter
• Dimension: 24.1 x 9.2 x 3.6cm (9.5 x 3.6 x 1.4 inches)
• Weight: 949.0 g (2.09 kilos)

I make no secret of the truth that I am an enormous fan of the {hardware} that OWC makes. Primarily geared toward Apple customers (though a lot of the {hardware}, together with this dock, is suitable with PCs), the corporate has a status for making high quality merchandise that span over 30 years.

Additionally: Touring quickly? Take this 6-port charger with you

And the Thunderbolt Go Dock lives as much as my exceedingly excessive expectations for a product carrying the OWC model.

First, it oozes high quality, fashion, and ruggedness. This can be a dock that is equally at dwelling on an vintage wood desk in an air-conditioned workplace or the again of a truck up deep in a forest and away from civilization.

It is lovely with out being flimsy, however strong with out wanting like a chunk of army equipment.

And it is well-finished too — with no sharp edge or tough steel seam to catch and scratch on garments or different devices.

One other factor that I anticipate from an OWC product is that it simply works, and the Thunderbolt Go Dock delivers. It simply works. You plug the dock into the mains, join your laptop computer, desktop, or pill, and every thing works as you’d anticipate. 

Strive as I would, I can not discover a weak spot. The specs that OWC publishes are what you get.

Each port does what it says it’ll. 

No ifs, no buts. 

As for the enclosure, it does a fantastic job of defending the dock, dissipating the warmth generated, and searching good. At nearly a kilogram (a shade over two kilos), you are positively going to really feel it in a backpack, however since I’ve examined loads of docks of that weight that got here with an influence brick that weighed extra — generally twice as a lot — this one is most positively simpler to hold.

This is one other factor I like about OWC docks — all of the ports are marked. Why so many different firms do not do that is past me. 

I take advantage of this dock so I can quickly copy movies off the SD and microSD playing cards from my drones and cameras, after which transfer that knowledge to my laptop computer and backup storage. 

The blisteringly quick switch speeds supplied by this dock imply I can get this finished in minutes, versus hours.

Additionally: You is likely to be utilizing the incorrect microSD playing cards

One limitation of the Thunderbolt Go Dock is that it requires mains energy. Not an issue in an workplace or many cafes and airport lounges, however generally is a little bit of a ache when you’re used to going off-grid. 

My resolution is that I’ve an influence station — both one thing massive just like the Jackery Explorer 1500 Professional or Bluetti AC200P, small just like the Jackery Explorer 240 or Anker 521, or tiny just like the Omni 20+ or Omni Final. I can then cost these off the truck’s 12V energy outlet or utilizing a foldaway photo voltaic panel, relying on the climate and terrain. Not an issue. 

Energy is equipped utilizing a typical two-prong “determine 8” energy wire. These are tremendous widespread, and also you’re more likely to have one already in your bag, or, when you overlook it, you’ll be able to simply choose one up from a neighborhood retailer for just a few {dollars}.

Additionally: This $30 USB hub lastly ended my MacBook port wrestle

At $350, this dock is not for everybody. In the event you simply need to add just a few ports to your MacBook, then one thing like this $30 Plugable 5-in-1 can be effective. However when you want energy, efficiency, and reliability, and also you’re shuffling gigabytes of essential knowledge from storage playing cards and backup drives, otherwise you need to hook up your system to an exterior show, then the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is value . 

It is a strong, skilled, and dependable little bit of equipment at a value that is very cheap.