A USB connection can give you multiple displays, Ethernet, speakers, USB, etc, off a single USB port. What it can't do, apparently, is work in clamshell mode. DisplayLink monitors aren't considered external displays, so OS X won't work in clamshell.
Apple ThunderBolt Dock Adapter and Hub Accessories A ThunderBolt device sharing hub or docking station offers the prospect of multiple interfaces and legacy device support and expansion through a single self-powered ThunderBolt cable. Especially for ThunderBolt enabled MacBook owners, the prospect of a ThunderBolt hub docking station can offer easy, single-cable connectivity at your desktop to a wide variety of computer peripherals and accessories - and a quick 1-cable disconnect when taking your Mac laptop on the road. ThunderBolt 3 Hubs And Docks With the arrival of ThunderBolt3 in force on the 2016 MacBook Pro models, we have the first announcements of compatible multi-port ThunderBolt 3 hubs announced - but not yet shipping. Of note: OWC's ThunderBolt 3 docking station with a total of 13 ports.
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Along with Dual Type-C pass-through ThunderBolt 3 ports, there's 5 USB 3.0 data and charging ports, 4-pole Analog audio jack for microphones, headsets or speakers, a S/PDIF optical audio port, a SD/SDHC/SDXC card reader slot, FireWire 800, 10/100/Gigabit Ethernet, and a Mini DisplayPort for nearly any type of monitor. 2nd Generation ThunderBolt 2 Hubs Akitio is now shipping a 2nd-generation, 20Gbps ThunderBolt 2 Drive dock station. Focusing more on storage interfaces, Akitio's ThunderBolt hub brings SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, eSATA connectors and FireWire 800 interface to a daisy-chainable dual-ThunderBolt interface docking device. It's a great way to preserve your investment in exisiting legacy storage devices and consolidate them into the ThunderBolt future.
The latest ThunderBolt 2 compatible version allows support for 4K monitors on it's pass-through ports. Best ThunderBolt Hub CalDigit's ThunderBolt 2 Station is a multi-port hub featuring dual pass through 20Gbps ThunderBolt ports for daisy chaining, three USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Ports, Very high resolution HDMI video, Gigabit Ethernet and 3.5mm Audio Input and Output jacks in a compact aluminum enclosure.
Comes in versions bundled with a SHORT.5m cable - or optionally order a separate, longer TBolt cable if your setup requires it. Currently the fullest-featured ThunderBolt Hub / Dock available.
CalDigit recently released a software update to support iOS device charging, and enhanced support for Apple USB keyboard and USB SuperDrive devices. Other Shipping ThunderBolt Hubs ElGato's revised, 2nd-generation ThunderBolt 2 multi-interface docking station offers dual 20GBps ThunderBolt 2 ports and 4K monitor support for more versatile pass-through use. Along audio in/out, dual USB 3.0 SuperSpeed ports, an HDMI monitor interface, and Gigabit Ethernet jack is included.
Note: Models with or without needed ThunderBolt cable are offered, depending on whether you already have the requisite cable. NOTE: Matrox offers TWO VERSIONS of the DS1 ThunderBolt device sharing dock - One for connecting a HDMI display: - and another model for connecting to a DVI interface display:. It also has ports for 1/8' audio In and Out, A USB 3.0 port, Dual USB 2.0 speed ports, and an RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet port. Note it only has a SINGLE ThunderBolt input port so it may not be ideal for your particular setup. Belkin recently REVISED the specs from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 support on it's $249 ThunderBolt multiport hub device and finally started shipping it's long-awaited ThunderBolt hub device.
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The Belkin ThunderBolt Hub / Dock has three USB 3.0 ports (upgraded from USB 2.0 when first announced) in addition to eSATA, FireWire 800, ThunderBolt Pass-Thru, Gigabit Ethernet and Analog audio jacks as well. It really will be a Does-It-All TBolt docking station for nearly anything you could possibly want to plug into it. Hubs For ThunderBolt Accessories: A Misnomer A ThunderBolt 'Hub' is technically the wrong name for device sharing hardware. USB which port sharing hubs for multiple computer peripherals in contention - with each device slugging it out for it's turn to transmit or receive data. Instead, ThunderBolt (like SCSI or FireWire) is a Daisy-Chain topology where each device exists in a sequence. That's why most ThunderBolt accessories have a pair of connectors for In and Out. The best simplistic analogy might be to imagine a USB hub like a 4-Way Stop where each device has to pause and negotiate who's turn it is, whereas a chain of ThunderBolt devices is more like a flowing highway Interstate where data smoothly enters the flow of traffic like a freeway on or off ramp when each computer device needs access.
ThunderBolt Drive Docks The closest thing we have to ThunderBolt drive dock products are the from Seagate. They ship a variety of docking trays for the 2.5' laptop line, and docking bases for the 3.5' Backup Plus and GoFlex desktop drive models. Notification - Apple, the Apple logo, iPad, iPod, Mac Mac mini, iMac or MacBook, OS X and many others are a registered trademark of Apple Computer in the U.S.
And other regions and countries. Other computer peripheral, accessory, upgrade, add-on or gadget and gizmo mfrs, product and brands which may be referenced at this website are officially registered trademarks of each respected technology corporation.
September seems to be the key. Even vidock (go on Fb) posted that Intel won't give out the thunderbolt development Kit to the mainstream (now its only to selected partners)till September. Now it appears Apple has in its new Air and MacBookPro the latest 4 lanes Cactus Ridge,the 2011 Imac has the Light Ridge.
As many of you i'm evaluating between to buy the 2011 Imac or to wait.till.' Nobody knows.' And one key of my thoughts is the thunderbolt speed.
Does the new Cactus Ridge work faster? Or is the same.in terms of speed, because with the Belkin adapter i will add Usb 3 to the 2011 too,but if the new Air-Mbpro (with far slow Gpu,65om is said to be 30% slower than 6970m)has better Thunderbolt speed could be a good compromize with a new Magma,Msi,Sonnetech,Vidock etc etc Gpu external adapter on my desk. Can you help me decidin?Thanks and have a good day.