Top 7 Best Thunderbolt 4 Dock For Mac - Rated Best Of March 2023

Many docks and hubs come with their own power supply or "power brick" to charge and power connected tablets and laptops.

For a decent charge, laptops require at least 60W. Larger laptops require more than 90W. It is more common to see laptop charging at higher speeds on docking stations than smaller hubs.

If you intend to use all of the ports simultaneously, the remaining power is divided among them. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a power supply that provides around 150W total.

Thunderbolt can transfer visual information to monitors, in addition to data and charging devices. To use Thunderbolt natively, most monitors must be compatible with Thunderbolt. It's possible to use other types of monitors in everyday computer use if you have the right dock.

The higher-end docks will usually have one or two video ports. DisplayPort and HDMI are the most common connections for modern monitors. These ports are more compatible with modern-day monitors than older VGA models. HDMI (and certain DisplayPort models) support audio. This means that you can use the same HDMI cable for both sound and visual outputs. Cable adapters allow you to connect older video cables (such as VGA) with older monitors.

The purpose of a Thunderbolt expansion is to increase the number of ports on your computer. Therefore, the size of the dock will determine how much expansion you get. Because larger docks are meant for large computer systems or desktops, they will be more difficult to transport.

A small or mini Thunderbolt is best for portability. These are small and easy to carry in a bag, or in a pocket. Most small docks have three to four ports. A few USB-A ports are most common, as the vast majority electronic accessories require a USB cable or adapter.

For a workstation setup, a larger dock is more efficient. A large Thunderbolt dock can be used to free up ports on your computer tower, for example, if you have an office desktop computer. You can also add more monitors to some of the larger docks that have DisplayPort or HDMI access.

Thunderbolt has the unique ability to charge compatible devices. A ThunderBolt charging port is easier and faster than a regular USB port for smart devices. It's simple to charge small devices with a dock.

Compatibility is key to finding a dock that charges your devices. Many docks are advertised as charging compatible or with power charging to indicate that Thunderbolt and USB ports can transfer power. You will find information in the specifications about which ports are capable of charging a device, and what their wattage is.

Some smart devices might not be compatible with Thunderbolt charging or USB charging on a dock. USB-C ports have different success rates depending on which device is being used and what the USB cable is.

Consider where and how the dock or hub will be placed on your desk. Although a vertical layout will be more space-efficient than a narrow horizontal, most hubs that we have seen are very compact.

Consider what you need on the back or front of the device. Hubs with an upstream computer connection at the front are not my favorite. It can be ugly and inconvenient.

We have not found any docks or hubs that are portable. This is due to the large size of the power supply and the hub itself. You could buy two power supplies to have at your home and at work.

USB cables are a popular way of transferring data between computers/devices, and charging portable batteries. Thunderbolts almost all have at least one or two USB ports that can be added to the computer's already-built-in set. For larger docks, you may find five to six USB ports with different types of plug-ins and cables.

The most popular type of USB port is the standard USB Type-A. This port can accept many accessories that can transfer data or provide power for charging. A Thunderbolt dock is an excellent way to increase the flexibility of your computer or desktop. For smaller devices, a dock can include smaller ports such as USB Type B and C.

The distance between your computer and the Thunderbolt dock. Perhaps you have heard of USB-C ports breaking on smartphones. A loose or wobbly connector can cause your monitor to flicker unexpectedly or lose connection. Think about how much tension is put on a cable. Thunderbolt ports can be dangled from Thunderbolt docks, which will strain the connector. This is not what you want!