As your Mac computer setup grows with newly added peripherals and capabilities, keeping it all connected and powered becomes a greater challenge. Enter multiport Thunderbolt 4 hubs. They offer high-speed data transfer, great options for high-resolution external displays and power for connected devices. Today’s featured MacBook Pro setup with dual displays and more takes great advantage of a cheap Thunderbolt 4 dock — the 13-port WavLink Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station. On sale currently, it goes for just $170.
Dual-display MacBook Pro setup’s Thunderbolt 4 dock bristles with 13 ports (at a low price)
This 13-port dock offers four Thunderbolt 4 ports, 98W power delivery to connected devices, single 8K or dual 4K display use and wide compatibility.
- Great connectivity with 13 ports
- 4 fast Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 98-watt power delivery to devices
- Thunderbolt 5 will be new standard soon
- Lesser-known brand
Redditor sosohype (“So”) showcased the dual-display MacBook Pro setup in a post entitled, “Not necessarily my prettiest, but my most productive setup.” They run a loaded M4 Pro MacBook Pro (48GB memory, 1TB SSD storage) with a 27-inch 5K Studio Display next to a 27-inch LG 4K gaming display in portrait mode on the right.
“Not necessarily my prettiest, but my most productive setup,” they said. And they connect all the main gear and peripherals using relatively cheap Thunderbolt 4 dock. It’s the WavLink Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station. Compared to other TB4 docks with more than a dozen ports — WavLink’s bristles with 13 — it’s quite affordable, on sale now at $170.
Recently we covered So’s LG UltraGear display with flashy RGB sphere lighting on the back. Now we’ll look more closely at that WavLink dock.
WavLink Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Photo: [email protected]
So at $170 on sale, WavLink’s TB4 dock comes in below the cost of many more famous-name multiport TB4 docks from the likes of CalDigit, Plugable, Anker and others (which can go from about $200 to $400). WavLink’s dock is an affordable way to connect and power numerous devices in a complex computer setup.
Features:
- 13-in-1 connectivity: Comprehensive range of ports includes an upstream Thunderbolt 4 port(98W PD, 40Gbps), three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (40Gbps, PD15W, 8K@30Hz), two USB-A 3.1 (10Gbps), one USB-C 3.1 (10Gbps+PD 30W), two USB-A 3.0(5Gbps), a 2500Mbps Ethernet port, an SD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, and one 230W DC power input.
- Ready power: Includes enhanced power and stability, efficient heat dissipation and swift data transfer capabilities. Supports upstream Thunderbolt 4 PD charging, allowing a maximum power delivery of 98W to charge a connected laptop. Additionally, you can simultaneously charge your phone/pad using the 15W downstream Thunderbolt 4 port or the 30W USB-C 3.1 PD port.
- Single 8K@30Hz or dual 4K@60Hz displays: You can use two Thunderbolt cables to connect your two monitors through any two of the three downstream Thunderbolt 4 output interfaces. With this setup, a single monitor can support a resolution of up to 8K@30Hz (7680*4320@30Hz). Two monitors can achieve a maximum resolution of 2x4K@60Hz (3840*2160@60Hz).
- 40Gbps data transfer: Thunderbolt 4 technology surpasses Thunderbolt 3 with its increase in the bandwidth of data transfer rate, elevating it from 16Gbps to an impressive 32Gbps. This bandwidth empowers the dock to connect peripherals with exceptional performance and speed. Equipped with three USB 3.1 ports (up to 10Gbps) and two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5Gbps).
- Wide compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of computers, including those equipped with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB 4 and full-featured USB-C port. It integrates with various devices, such as Apple M2, M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, Intel-based Macs and Windows PCs. Additionally, it is also compatible with iPads and iPhones that feature USB-C port.
Shop these items now:
This 13-port dock offers four Thunderbolt 4 ports, 98W power delivery to connected devices, single 8K or dual 4K display use and wide compatibility.
- Great connectivity with 13 ports
- 4 fast Thunderbolt 4 ports
- 98-watt power delivery to devices
- Thunderbolt 5 will be new standard soon
- Lesser-known brand
Computer and dock:
Displays (with monitor RGB lighting) and light bar:
- 27-inch LG UltraGear 27GN950 4K display with RGB sphere lighting
- Studio Display
- Quntis Computer Monitor Lamp
Input devices:
- Corsair M75 Air gaming mouse
- Tofu 2.0 mechanical keyboard
Furniture:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually suffice). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
