USB-C Dock: Does what I'm looking for exist?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › USB-C Dock: Does what I'm looking for exist?

IronH

379 posts

Ultimate Geek

#299214 21-Aug-2022 12:54

I have a 4K usb-c monitor that can supply power to my laptop, however because it uses USB 10Gbps most of the bandwidth is used up by the 4K 60Hz signal, leaving only enough bandwidth for the monitors built-in USB hub to run at 480Mbps, I can drop the resolution or refresh rate to get 5Gbps but I don't want to do that, so I'm after a dock, but I want a dock that can be powered by the monitor. All the docks I've seen plug into a wall plug directly and feed video via HDMI/DisplayPort. I want to keep cable clutter down so am after a dock that can supply video via a USB-C port while also taking power from that same port, does such a thing exist?

The device I want to plug in is an M1 iPad Pro (running iPadOS 16 with stage manager).

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208 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#2957262 21-Aug-2022 13:36

I'm not quite sure what would work with your device as I only have experience with M1 macs.

Just check the specification of the iPad usb-c port to see what it can take (thunderbolt4, usb4, dp alt mode etc) then you can make a decision on the type of dock and how much power your dock needs to supply to the ipad.

The only good docks I know of take a sepeperate power feed to maintain bandwidth and be able to take on enough power load for the device at the same time.

I run a Kensington TB4 dock for all my laptops (macbook m1, surface laptop, xps 15) and it supplies around 90w, monitor connects into one of the thunderbolt ports at the back.

If the iPad has TB4 support then most TB4 docks should be able to power it and deliver the necessary bandwidth, the only issue you may run into it connecting 2 or more external monitors if thats required.

TB4 has 40gbps bandwidth compard to Usb-c 3.2 of 10gbps

IronH

379 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2957288 21-Aug-2022 15:34

M1 ipad has thunderbolt/usb4 which can handle 40Gbps, and only requires 30W of power, my 43” 4k monitor delivers 90W iirc.

I specifically want a dock (or dongle) that can take the power from the monitor and supply it to the connected device while simultaneously taking the video output from the device and supply it to the monitor all on the one cable. I’ve done a lot of googling but cant find anything so not sure such a dock/dongle even exists.

My intention is to try using my ipad as a laptop/desktop replacement when ipados 16 comes out of beta. With ipad m1 getting proper external display support and multitasking I think I can finally do 99% of what I do on my macbook pro. But I really need a dock to be able to connect things like external ssd’s at full speed.

fwiw this is my clean/minimal setup, hence why I’m trying to keep cables to a minimum.

Tinkerisk

4224 posts

Uber Geek

#2957349 21-Aug-2022 17:11

IronH:

… does such a thing exist?

Not at present.

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IronH

379 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2957350 21-Aug-2022 17:13

Tinkerisk:

IronH:

… does such a thing exist?

Not at present.

Dangit, didn't think so, thanks for confirming

Tinkerisk

4224 posts

Uber Geek

#2957352 21-Aug-2022 17:18

IronH:

Dangit, didn't think so, thanks for confirming

But it should, especially from iPadOS 16.0 onward.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#2957365 21-Aug-2022 17:54

Make sure you are looking for a thunderbolt dock, not USB-C.

IronH

379 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2957399 21-Aug-2022 20:45

RunningMan:

Make sure you are looking for a thunderbolt dock, not USB-C.

USB-C is a physical connector standard and shouldn't be confused with it's capability. USB-C is used with a number of technologies. Thunderbolt 3 & 4 and USB 3.2 & 4 all use the USB-C connector. USB4 is based on thunderbolt 3 protocol and can transfer upto 40Gbps (USB 4 gen 3x2). For my needs any dock that has USB-C and can do 20Gbps would be sufficient (including USB 3.2 gen 2x2 / USB 4 gen 2x2 and above) - M1 iPad Pro supports all of them so I don't have to make sure it is thunderbolt, I just need to make sure it can do at least 20Gbps.

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Starlith

208 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#2957497 22-Aug-2022 08:43

IronH:

RunningMan:

Make sure you are looking for a thunderbolt dock, not USB-C.

USB-C is a physical connector standard and shouldn't be confused with it's capability. USB-C is used with a number of technologies. Thunderbolt 3 & 4 and USB 3.2 & 4 all use the USB-C connector. USB4 is based on thunderbolt 3 protocol and can transfer upto 40Gbps (USB 4 gen 3x2). For my needs any dock that has USB-C and can do 20Gbps would be sufficient (including USB 3.2 gen 2x2 / USB 4 gen 2x2 and above) - M1 iPad Pro supports all of them so I don't have to make sure it is thunderbolt, I just need to make sure it can do at least 20Gbps.

Which in that case make sure you use Thunderbolt 4 or wait for USB4 docks..

Thunderbolt 4 devices can also downscale to other protocols such as DP-Alt mode etc

Earbanean

937 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2957846 22-Aug-2022 14:54

Tinkerisk:

IronH:

… does such a thing exist?

Not at present.

What about something like this?

https://www.cablematters.com/pc-1402-126-usb-c-multiport-adapter-with-8k-hdmi-2x-usb-30-gigabit-ethernet-and-power-delivery.aspx

The only question mark is how you would supply the power to the hub.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#2957849 22-Aug-2022 15:00

IronH: USB-C is a physical connector standard and shouldn't be confused with it's capability.

However it often is, hence the suggestion you look for a product labelled as a Thunderbolt dock.

bendud

313 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2957916 22-Aug-2022 19:19

I think this one would do what you need:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/docks/owc-thunderbolt-3-dock

OWC have a good online chat feature, you could ask them?

From the Antarctic Riviera

Tinkerisk

4224 posts

Uber Geek

#2958077 23-Aug-2022 08:17

Earbanean:

What about something like this?

The only question mark is how you would supply the power to the hub.

Well this is „something.“ Unfortunately „THIS only question“ is the problem. Do you see the big power supply brick he‘s trying to prevent?

Tinkerisk

4224 posts

Uber Geek

#2958078 23-Aug-2022 08:20

bendud:

I think this one would do what you need:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/docks/owc-thunderbolt-3-dock

OWC have a good online chat feature, you could ask them?

b

Nope, it isn‘t.

bendud

313 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2958122 23-Aug-2022 11:15

There are two aspects to the question aren't there?

1) Technical requirements of bandwidth etc

2) Aesthetics of the setup

If (and it's a big if) the OWC dock fulfils the tech requirements then all that is needed is a suitably attractive way to hide the cables.

How that's done probably depends on if the OP own the walls or are renting, or has the requisite DIY skills. He's done a great job with a really clean setup - not a wire to be seen on the photo! But ultimately I can't see a way of getting the required functionality without a couple more cables. The dock could sit on a monitor rear shelf and be hidden from front on, but unless the power socket was immediately behind the monitor with a short cable tail and the brick attached e.g by velcro to the back of the monitor it runs the risk of messy. Alternatively a recess in the wall that the monitor goes over and hides all the cabling could work.

If the display has a "kettle' type power cord, and the power brick for the dock does as well, you can get 'splitters' that run a single cable to two kettle plugs and could hide the cabling behind the monitor that way.

When I was still fighting against cable clutter I built my workdesk from rimu recycled doorframes from work and was therefore able to hide all the cabling and power boards inside it. As tech evolves though it's a losing battle and I no longer angst too much about the odd cable!

HTH

From the Antarctic Riviera

bendud

313 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2958148 23-Aug-2022 11:58

I have one of these https://satechi.net/products/type-c-multi-port-adapter-with-ethernet-v2?variant=45020091145 docks which runs off USB-C and has an HDMI out but the USB-C channel is not a video channel (weirdly, despite being allegedly TB3 compatible).

If the OP is on Dunedin happy to loan for a try out

From the Antarctic Riviera

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