Professional’s Ranking
Professionals
- 9 ports
- Constructed-in speedy SSD enclosure
- Zero-footprint docking station
Cons
- USB ports can’t cost gadgets
- No card reader
Our Verdict
If you happen to use your MacBook’s personal keyboard and want as much as two high quality exterior shows and want to extend your base storage with quick SSD drives, the Satechi Twin Dock Stand is a neat, zero-footprint docking station that matches your MacBook for fashion and provides 9 helpful ports.
Value When Reviewed
$149.95
Greatest Costs In the present day: Satechi Twin Dock Stand
Laptop computer docking stations are an awesome device for including a number of USB, video, and networking ports to your MacBook, and this dock from Satechi goes a step additional by including an SSD enclosure so you’ll be able to add inexpensive quick storage with out having to connect a separate onerous drive.
As its title suggests, the Satechi Twin Dock Stand additionally identifies as a laptop computer stand. It actually raises the MacBook that rests on it to a extra agreeable angle for typing however it isn’t a stand that can elevate your MacBook to a extra ergonomic top. Nevertheless, if you’re utilizing the MacBook’s keyboard reasonably than an exterior one, it’s extra comfy than leaving the laptop computer flat on the desk.
Satechi
Specs and options
The Satechi Twin Dock Stand options 9 ports and an underside SSD enclosure.
- Twin-USB-C upstream connector to laptop computer (75W PD 3.0)
- Passthrough energy USB-C port
- 2x USB-C (one at 10Gbps, one at 5Gbps)
- 2x USB-A (one at 10Gbps, one at 5Gbps)
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- 2x HDMI 2.1 ports
- Gigabit Ethernet
The bonus SSD enclosure is the actual star of the present. Positioned on the underside of the dock, that is simply accessed and helps each NVMe and SATA SSDs. This function alone locations it in our listing of the finest USB-C docks for MacBook.
Satechi
SSDs are Stable State Drives which might be smaller and sooner, extra sturdy, and use much less vitality than old-school spinning onerous disk drives (HDD). HDD’s benefits are you could get a lot bigger capacities, and they’re so much cheaper. However SSDs are the way in which to go for quick knowledge transfers, backups knowledge, restoration, and exterior storage until you don’t thoughts ready for disks to whirr to life each time you attempt to entry them.
It’s essential purchase the SSD individually. Amazon is promoting NVME SSDs for round $50 (1TB), $80 (2TB) or $300 (4TB), however word that storage costs may be fairly risky. Examine that to including SSD storage to a brand new MacBook at level of buy, the place Apple will cost you an additional $400 for a 2TB drive and $1,000 for 4TB!
Whereas SATA SSDs have as much as 4 instances the bandwidth of HDDs, they’re restricted to 6Gbps. NVMe SSDs assist as much as 10Gbps switch pace. Until you’ve a spare SATA SSD hanging round, we advocate you purchase the sooner NVME selection. (Be aware that some older gadgets is probably not suitable with NVMe, however any Mac after 2018 must be superb.)
The Satechi Twin Dock Stand connects to your laptop computer through USB-C—the truth is, a twin 10Gbps USB-C connector for optimum bandwidth and passthrough energy. MacBooks use sooner Sort-C–suitable Thunderbolt connectors (40Gbps) however sticking with 10Gbps USB-C will prevent cash.
Satechi
Twin show assist
With one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports, you’ll be able to join as much as two 4K shows in Prolonged mode at a good 60Hz refresh charge. Be aware that Macs with plain (non-Professional/Max) M1 or M2 chips are restricted—by Apple—to only one exterior monitor in prolonged mode. Nevertheless, there are answers if you wish to join a couple of monitor to an M1 or M2 Mac.
The Echo 20 has only one video port. Though that port is the superior HDMI 2.1, you need to add a second exterior display through one of many Thunderbolt ports, which would require an adapter.
Satechi
USB energy plus and minus
The Satechi Twin Dock Stand options 5 USB ports.
One USB-C port is for passthrough PD energy at as much as 75W to the laptop computer, which is sufficient for all however the 16-inch MacBook Professional at full pelt. Even that mannequin will cost superb—simply slower than smaller MacBooks. Be aware that you’ll want to attach your individual USB-C charger to the dock: try our really useful MacBook chargers.
Then there are two USB-C and two USB-A ports—one among every at 10Gbps, and one among every at 5Gbps.
None of those non-PD USB ports, nonetheless, can cost a related machine. Most docks and hubs enable a little bit—perhaps 7.5W—to maintain related gadgets powered up, or perhaps simply to cost your iPhone whereas engaged on the MacBook. This isn’t an issue for small flash drives, keyboards, or mice however does imply related storage drives would possibly require secondary energy.
Additionally missing is an SD or MicroSD card reader for extra transportable storage, however the built-in SSD greater than makes up for this omission.
Satechi
Design
This House Grey MacBook dock calls itself a stand, and it’s true that it sits beneath the laptop computer, elevating it barely at an angle. Because the MacBook sits on prime, this dock takes up no house in your desk. Vents ought to maintain the dock cool whereas in use.
The angle helps with comfy typing, however it doesn’t push the laptop computer display to a extra ergonomic top appropriate for video calls, for example, if you wish to use the MacBook’s built-in webcam. For that you’ll require a good laptop computer stand—helpfully, we’ve examined the finest MacBook stands already.
Because the connected upstream cable is sort of brief, you’ll be able to’t tidily maintain it related to the dock and transfer it onto a stand in order for you that further top. An extended or removable cable connection may need served higher.
However if you’re proud of the laptop computer at a snug sitting stage—for instance, in case you use the MacBook open and utilizing its keyboard—and perhaps have a webcam in or in your related exterior show, this niggle shouldn’t hassle you, and also you’ll recognize the typing angle.
Whereas it’s geared toward Mac customers, the Satechi Twin Dock Stand will work with Home windows laptops that function a dual-USB-C port setup, such because the Microsoft Floor Professional 9, Floor Laptop computer Studio, Dell XPS 15, and Lenovo Yoga 7.
Value
The MSRP of the Satechi Twin Dock Stand is $150, which is a really affordable value for a twin 4K 60Hz USB-C docking station. The addition of the SSD enclosure makes the worth appear even higher worth, though keep in mind that you should buy the precise SSD individually, plus have a strong USB-C charger at hand.
The closest dock that we’ve examined is the Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock, which incorporates an SSD enclosure and makes use of the sooner connection normal, plus boasts twice as many ports, however is twice the worth.
Verdict
If you happen to use your MacBook’s personal keyboard and want as much as two high quality exterior shows, plus want to extend your base storage with quick SSD drives, the Satechi Twin Dock Stand is a neat, zero-footprint docking station that matches your MacBook for fashion and provides 9 helpful ports.