Turn your laptop into a desktop with new StarTech Thunderbolt 4 dock

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StarTech.com's capable new Thunderbolt 4 docking station can broaden your laptop's horizons.
StarTech.com's capable new Thunderbolt 4 docking station can broaden your laptop's horizons.
Photo: StarTech.com

With Thunderbolt 4 connectivity becoming more and more common in new laptop computers, including various Macs, you may be in the market for a worthy docking station. After all, small, lightweight laptops don’t always have all the ports you need. So it’s a good thing StarTech.com recently released its TB4CDock for Mac and Windows.

The Thunderbolt 4 station bristles with the ports you need to turn your laptop into a desktop, or close to it.

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StarTech.com TB4CDock Thunderbolt 4 docking station

Thunderbolt 4-enabled computers should work fine with existing Thunderbolt 3 hardware, including docks. But if you buy a TB4 computer and you want to connect it to gear like external displays and other peripherals, now’s the time to get yourself a TB4 dock.

StarTech.com calls its new station “TB4CDock.” It’s loaded with 10 ports that can turn your laptop into a makeshift desktop. It offers an Ethernet and headset jacks, and several USB-A ports: one USB Type-A 2.0 on the front and three USB 3.2 gen 2 ports on the back. It delivers a stout 96W of power to charge your laptop when connected.

Photographers and videographers will be glad the dock features an SD card reader on he front. However, there are no dedicated video ports, such as VGA, HDMI or DisplayPort. But as an alternative, the three Thunderbolt ports on the back can be used for video. If your external monitor lacks USB-C, you’ll want to get some dongles.

StarTech.com, which sells a lot of products to IT departments, said:

The docking station uses a single Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3 or standard USB4 port to provide high-performance connectivity options when connected to compatible laptops. The certified Thunderbolt TB4CDOCK is an ideal choice for IT Professionals supporting users who need maximum performance from a cable-based docking station, allowing them to take advantage of single 8K 30Hz,6K 60hz and 5K 60Hz or dual 4K 60Hz displays while also charging their laptops with up to 96W Power Delivery and up to 15W (3A) of downstream power to charge tablets or smartphones.

The StarTech.com TB4CDOCK Thunderbolt 4 docking station carries a pretty hefty price tag. But it’s currently on sale, marked down from $439.99 to $402.31 at Amazon.

Where to buy: Amazon

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