The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock was designed to be taken on journeys, which is uncommon for a hub that makes use of this extraordinarily quick connection customary. Whereas transportable, it nonetheless has room for eleven ports in a variety helpful varieties, together with Thunderbolt 4 (after all), USB-A, HDMI, USB-C and extra.
I put the dock by way of a sequence of real-world assessments to see how properly it performs.
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock overview
Any skilled creator who’s utilizing a USB-C hub (or god forbid USB-A) actually ought to improve to a Thunderbolt hub. Transferring giant media recordsdata might be so fast that you simply’ll quickly earn again the price of the brand new {hardware} in time saved. I’m all the time amazed once I switch a 10GB file in a flash.
However many who have to arrange a distant workplace are hesitant to go together with a Thunderbolt hub as a result of they’re so very cumbersome. OWC obtained the message and its Thunderbolt Go Dock is way extra transportable that just about all its rivals as a result of it doesn’t want the same old hefty exterior energy provide.
However it does embrace all of the ports {that a} skilled requires to be productive.
A genuinely transportable multiport Thunderbolt dock
At first look, you is likely to be skeptical about claims that the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock is designed to be transportable. It appears to be like chunky. And it’s, admittedly.
However what it’s important to understand is that different Thunderbolt hubs are typically simply as hefty, and they add an influence brick that just about doubles the whole measurement and weight.
OWC’s latest dock doesn’t have an exterior energy provide. In no way. Nothing else is required however an influence cable with a three-prong plug.
To get particular, the Thunderbolt Go Dock measures in at 9.5 inches by 3.6 inches by 1.4 inches. That’s hardly svelte nevertheless it matches in a gear bag.
Plus, OWC inbuilt a pleasant choice of ports. There’s a pair of high-speed Thunderbolt/USB-C ones, a slower USB-C port plus three USB-A ports. The checklist additionally contains an HDMI port, an SD card reader, 2.5G Ethernet and a 3.5mm audio jack.
OWC prioritized performance over fashion within the design. The dock area grey to match a MacBook however in any other case the outside is all enterprise. It’s coated in vents to permit warmth to dissipate, however the aluminum exterior is thick sufficient to nonetheless really feel stable. The construct high quality is great.
11 helpful ports
Picture: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Testing this dock has to begin with the 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports on the again. These provide a theoretical most of 40Gbps. In my testing, real-world efficiency can’t watch that. Nonetheless, I can switch a 10GB file in beneath 10 seconds.
These are downstream ports. There’s additionally a separate upstream port on the proper edge. This may switch as much as 90w of PD energy to the host laptop.
Don’t overlook, Thunderbolt equipment will be daisychained so you may join as much as six extra gadgets.
Additionally on the again is the dock’s HDMI port, which might deal with as much as 8K. I examined it with my 4K monitor and the show appears to be like each bit pretty much as good because it does with a USB-C connection.
There are a pair of USB-A ports on the again of the OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock prepared so that you can plug in a keyboard and mouse or trackpad. I examined each sort of equipment with no issues. These help USB 3.2 Gen 2 if you happen to should join a drive to them.
The Thunderbolt 4 hub has 2.5G Ethernet on the again edge, which is greater than double the pace of Gigabit Ethernet. It’s so quick I can’t absolutely check it — its high pace is vastly higher than my Web connection.
Picture: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
OWC added a number of ports to the entrance of the Thunderbolt Go Dock the place you may simply plug and unplug equipment.
That features a USB-C port that helps USB 3.2 Gen 2. Don’t suppose that is any slouch simply because it doesn’t have Thunderbolt. I moved 28 recordsdata totaling 4.1 GB in slightly below 10 seconds from my laptop onto an exterior drive plugged into this port. A single 1GB file goes in 2 seconds.
There’s additionally a USB-A port, however that is significantly slower: simply USB 2.0. Transferring a 1GB check recordsdata to or from a drive on this port takes roughly 30 seconds.
Those that have a drone or different digital camera that makes use of SD playing cards must be happy by the Thunderbolt Go Dock’s SD card reader. OWC guarantees as much as 302 MBps. My real-world check wasn’t that quick, however the reader did transfer a 1GB check file in about 10 seconds.
As a result of all work and no play makes Jack a boring boy, OWC added a normal 3.5mm audio jack. This can be utilized for headphones and headsets. I examined each with out concern.
Plus there’s a Kingston Safety Slot on the proper edge to assist forestall theft.
OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock remaining ideas
Picture: OWC
I’m very acquainted with engaged on the highway. Over time, I’ve arrange short-term workplaces and labored for weeks in lodge rooms, coworking services, trip houses and my in-law’s home. When planning to work from someplace distant for an prolonged interval, “simply barely ok” received’t minimize it.
Should you’re going to be working with giant recordsdata from a distant location, don’t torture your self with painfully sluggish file transfers. OWC’s Thunderbolt 4 hub can transfer these recordsdata round at blinding pace, plus it has a variety of different helpful ports. And it’s significantly much less cumbersome than its rivals.
It’s pricy, although. Thunderbolt hubs all the time are, however this one might be out of attain for anybody however professionals.
★★★★☆
Pricing
The OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock launched February 22 and so will be ordered now.
It’s priced at $349. That’s a bit above the standard price of a Thunderbolt hub, nevertheless it gives a function set you received’t discover in competing gadgets.
Purchase from: OWC
I just lately reviewed the Hyper Thunderbolt 4 Energy Hub, which is even smaller and extra transportable than OWC’s providing. It gives a trio of downstream Thunderbolt ports however none of another sort. It’s out there now for $299.99.
OWC supplied Cult of Mac with a overview unit for this text. See our opinions coverage, and take a look at different in-depth opinions of Apple-related gadgets.
