5 Best Docking Stations for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air combine portability and performance to make them one of the best options for online workers, but lacks a core area: USB ports. The severely limited capabilities and required Lighting-to-USB adapters make it difficult to connect external accessories, let alone an HDMI cable.
The docking station offers the best solution. Docking stations allow users to bundle multiple ports into one device. If you have a workstation at home, you can leave your monitor, keyboard, mouse and other accessories connected to the docking station and only turn off the laptop. The next time you connect, everything will be ready. Here are the best options for MacBook Pro dock and MacBook Air dock.
The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Docking Stations
Whether you want style, functionality, or anything in between, these docking stations are the best option for MacBook users.
Brydge Vertical Dock – $ 130
The Brydge Vertical Dock is one of the most stylish options on the market. The docking station itself allows you to place your MacBook on a stand upright – ideal for desktop areas with limited space. Please note this only works with MacBooks with touchbars.
The downside is that the dock only includes two Thunderbolt 2 ports, but each boasts a full 40Gbps bandwidth. Anything you can connect to your MacBook, you can also connect to the Brydge Vertical Dock, but you'll need a third-party accessory converter.
The docking station includes improved airflow and cooling for heavy workloads, and a one-hand docking mechanism that makes it easy to insert and remove your MacBook from the dock in one swipe.
– / 22152718 / Switchtomac.com_incontent_1_EBDA CalDigit TS3 – $ 250
The CalDigit TS3 Docking Station is the ideal docking station for power users. It provides 15 different ports for connection, as well as up to 87W of power for charging. It is compatible with the latest generation MacBooks thanks to its Thunderbolt 3 compatibility.
CalDigit TS3 includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports, DisplayPort 1.2 connection, five USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and Gigabit Ethernet. It also has a UHS-II SD card slot, optical audio input and 3.5mm audio output. The dock can be stowed both horizontally and vertically.
Even more impressive, the CalDigit TS3 can support two 4K displays via DisplayPort and Thunderbolt ports, perfect for anyone working with photo or video editing.
This dock is a little overkill for the average user, but if you have a lot of high-performance devices and need power, the CalDigit TS3 is a great option.
Twelve South StayGo – $ 75
If you're looking for a docking station on a smaller budget, Twelve South StayGo is a great option. For just $ 75, it packs six ports in a more compact, portable frame. This is a great docking station for anyone who needs more ports and wants to make the most of their MacBook's portability.
Twelve South StayGo includes one HDMI 4K port, two USB A 3.0 ports, one dual function USB A port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an SD / Micro SD port. Finally, it has one USB C 3.1 port with 85W charging power. Please note that the latest MacBook models charge from 87W. Although users have reported no issues, charging this device may be slightly slower.
The dock also includes a one meter desktop cable and a 4.75 '' travel cable to help you along the way. If you don't need all the power that more expensive docking stations provide, then this docking station will have enough power for just about any situation you come across.
Kensington Thunderbolt 3 Station – $ 200
The Kensington Thunderbolt 3 is a mid-range dock that delivers serious power and resolution. Although it supports two 4K displays, it can also support one 5K display. Note, however, that the dock is not compatible with Thunderbolt 3 monitors.
The Thunderbolt 3 Dock has five different ports: one USB C port, two USB 3.0 ports, one Gigabit Ethernet port, 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks, and a Kensington lock slot. The docking station boasts enhanced functionality thanks to its compatibility with macOS and Windows computers. If you're using two different laptops and need to switch between them, Kensington Thunderbolt 3 will handle it.
This docking station delivers up to 85W of power and automatically adjusts to your laptop's needs. However, it can also charge 87W devices like the new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. This requires a Thunderbolt 3 certified cable.
G-Technology 8TB Raid Dock – $ 600
The G-Technology Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a powerful device that does more than just dock functionality. It's also an 8TB external hard drive with a removable dual-drive storage system. If you work with a lot of high quality video files, you need additional storage and this dock can act as your command center.
The docking station has one HDMI port, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and one USB-C port. While not as prominent in the ports department as others on this list, it allows you to daisy-chain up to five additional devices via Thunderbolt 3 ports, including additional displays, drives, and more.
The high data transfer rate means you don't need to store raw frames on your MacBook to edit them; instead, you can edit directly from the disks in the dock. What it lacks is more than offset by its utility – the downside, of course, is the staggering $ 600 price tag.
The MacBook Dock is more than just a useful tool. It can help turn your workplace into a command center. Few things kill productivity as quickly as plugging and unplugging cords anytime you need to move, so take the smart move: get a MacBook dock and keep everything (except your laptop) connected.
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5 Best Docking Stations for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air
5 Best Docking Stations for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air