Apple had a change of heart and soul after its introduction of USB - light speed with the 2015 12 - inch MacBook : the company has n’t put only a single peripheral embrasure on any laptop computer it ’s released since . ( And it discontinued the USB 3.1 - only MacBook , too . ) Some Apple Si MacBook Pro models even offer consecrate video and charge ( MagSafe 3 ) ports !
But what do you do when you have , for representative , an M1 MacBook Air or 13 - inch MacBook Pro that do not have MagSafe ? With two Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 jacks on each manikin , you involve one for power over USB - C , leaving one barren . you could opt for a USB - C dock that ’s USB 3.x/4 only or that supports Thunderbolt 3 . In either case , a sorrel typically adds multiple 10 Gbps or faster USB 3.x/4 jacks , HDMI , and passthrough power , freeing up the other USB - C slot on your computer .
Until last year , if you want to add multiple Thunderbolt 3 or 4 twist , however , you were stuck . An increase number of outside SSDs and other storage devices rely on Thunderbolt 3 or 4 . And you might have Thunderbolt 2 legacy machine that can work via a Thunderbolt 3 adapter — but only when plug into a Thunderbolt port .
It was unsufferable to grease one’s palms a dock or hub with additional USB - nose candy interface with Thunderbolt 3/4 documentation . That interchange with the introduction of Thunderbolt 4 hub and docks , which rely on an optional feature of Thunderbolt 3 made compulsory in translation 4 : give up international Thunderbolt interface . ( Any version of macOS 12 Monterey will do . If you ’re using Big Sur , you may necessitate at least 11.1 or 11.4 , depending on the loading dock or hub . )
A few companies have released outside hub and dock that fit the flyer . The least - expensive choice is the OWC Thunderbolt Hub ( $ 159),reviewed in April 2021 , which offers four Thunderbolt 3/4 jacks and one 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Type - A port . Because one port wine link up by cable to your computing gadget , you net three Thunderbolt 3/4 port on the hub .
At the other end of the spectrum is CalDigit ’s mega - dock , the $ 400 Thunderbolt Station 4 sporting 18 interface of all kinds , including three Thunderbolt 3/4 jacks . We reviewed this whole in April 2022 .
While hundreds of other USB - C dock might fit part of the bill , if you need more Thunderbolt ports than you may chance on your Mac , verify the dock you purchase spells out that it offer full Thunderbolt 4 outside sustenance . Check outMacworld ’s Thunderbolt and USB - atomic number 6 guide to docking stationsfor information on specifications and the dear dock you could find .
This Mac 911 article is in reception to a head submitted by Macworld reader Jim .
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