Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock review

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Belkin’s Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock provides 12 helpful ports in your computer and appears beautiful.

A docking station allows you to create a hectic desktop setup with only a unmarried USB-C or Thunderbolt connection between your computer and the dock.

Connect just about what you love to the dock: from exterior shows to rapid SSD drives, printer, webcam, reminiscence sticks and playing cards, keyboard and mouse.

Escape susceptible Wi-Fi with a stressed out Ethernet Internet connection at the dock that are meant to super-power your connectivity.

Thunderbolt 4 (TB4) works with the most recent Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 computer systems and could also be backwards suitable with Thunderbolt 3 (TB3) and USB-C. Even in case your computer doesn’t have TB4, it’s a smart funding to shop for a dock with the most recent connectivity tech.

It works with computer systems that experience a video-enabled USB-C or Thunderbolt port, Windows 10 RS3 or more recent, MacOS (Big Sur Version 11) or more recent, and iPadOS (Type-C iPads handiest).

(*4*)

Specs and lines

We’ve noticed docking stations with extra ports, however the Belkin TB4 dock boasts an outstanding 12, together with two show connections.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 90W)

• One downstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 15W)

• Two HDMI 2.0 video ports (4K at 60Hz)

• Two USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)

• Two USB-A ports (480MBps, 2.5W)

• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 18W)

• Gigabit Ethernet

• UHS-II SD card reader (320MBps)

• 3.5mm combo audio jack (entrance)

• 120W continual provide

Belkin has incorporated two HDMI ports as maximum customers need to attach a few exterior shows to get previous the constraints in their computer display screen area.

Having the integrated video ports saves you having to shop for a USB-C adapter.

Windows customers can upload as much as 3 shows, the usage of the 2 HDMI and one Thunderbolt 4 port. The TB4 port can connect immediately to a USB-C track or you’ll purchase a USB-C adapter to connect with a DisplayPort or HDMI show.

One 8K show can run at 30Hz, or you’ll have two 4K at 60Hz. Video answer for as much as 3 shows depends in your computer’s features.  

Thunderbolt 4 can come with as much as 4 TB4 ports, however Belkin’s dock comes with simply two: one upstream to the pc and one downstream to units.

That’s a compromise for having the 2 HDMI ports. If you need extra flexibility, search for a dock with much less devoted show connections and extra TB4 ports.

The loss of port flexibility is worse for Mac customers, as they may be able to’t use each HDMI because of the way in which Macs maintain video.

Mac customers can attach two exterior shows however handiest the usage of one of the vital HDMI and the spare TB4 port.

That leaves one redundant HDMI port and no spare TB4 ports for speedy 40Gbps tool connections, even if the USB-C port does run at 10Gbps.

That’s why we don’t suggest the Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock for Macs. It’s no longer Belkin’s fault, it’s an Apple factor, however there are many different docks that don’t go away ports empty.

While 4 USB-A ports is masses, two are moderately puny, being USB 2.0 that has a weedy 480MBps bandwidth—it’s an atypical selection when maximum docks have a 5Gbps minimal. If you name a product “Pro” it shouldn’t skimp on its features.

The different two, alternatively, are lovely racy at 10Gbps.

None of the USB-A ports provides a lot in the way in which of tool charging, maxing out at 4.5W however the USB-C port can price at an outstanding 18W.

The upstream TB4 port can provide as much as 90W, which will have to be sufficient for even a big computer.

Overall continual, although, is fairly low at 120W, which would possibly provide an explanation for the weakly charging USB-A ports.

The SD card reader is rapid, however you’ll want an adapter for those who use microSD playing cards. Memory playing cards aren’t only for digicam fanatics. You should buy a top quality 512GB card for round $60/£50, they usually be offering an affordable and conveyable means of upping the garage to your computer.

Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock front

Design

Space Gray with a shiny black back and front, the Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a attractiveness.

One non-public niggle is the upstream TB4 port being positioned on the entrance, so there’s at all times a cable protruding and spoiling the dock’s in a different way surprising seems.

Belkin isn’t on my own on this follow however hats off to rival Caldigit that hides the computer connection behind its docks along the ability enter and Gigabit Ethernet.

In Belkin’s want, it does make plugging out and in that little bit faster and more uncomplicated.

The dock comes with a zero.8m (2.8ft) Thunderbolt 4 cable. If you wish to have extras, take a look at our roundup of the most efficient Thunderbolt 4 cables.

Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock back

Price

The Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock prices $399.99 or ÂŁ399.99.

This places it on the high-end of the fee vary for Thunderbolt 4 docks. The much less flashy Caldigit TS4 has extra (and higher) ports at a cheaper price.

See our roundup of the entire absolute best Thunderbolt 4 docks and hubs.

Verdict

The Belkin Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a gorgeous-looking computer docking station, boasting 12 ports together with two HDMI for Windows customers to temporarily upload as much as 3 exterior shows. Mac customers, alternatively, will have to keep away.

It sullies its Pro name rather with a few the ports being moderately moderate, and the ability provide may just do with being upper, however it’s in a different way smartly provided.

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