Summary
Thunderbolt 5 is still a relatively new technology, but it’s already starting to catch on. If you have any hardware that supports it, Plugable just released one of the best docks we’ve seen to date.
Plugable has just launched the11-in-1 TBT-UDT3 Thunderbolt 5 hub, and it looks promising for any potential dock setup. At the core of the TBT-UDT3 is Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 technology, which leverages the JHL9580 controller. According to Plugable, this enables the docking station to support a feature called Bandwidth Boost, which can provide up to 120 Gbps of downstream bandwidth. “With Thunderbolt 5’s 120Gbps connectivity enabling more and bigger displays, this is a huge productivity enabler,” said Bernie Thompson, Founder and CTO of Plugable.
The TBT-UDT3 offers a comprehensive suite of 11 ports designed for high-performance workflows. It features three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports that provide 80 Gbps of bandwidth, 15W of power for connected devices, and support for 8K video output. For host charging, the dock delivers up to 140W of power through a Thunderbolt 5 connection using the USB-C Power Delivery 3.1 (EPR) standard. Its display capabilities support up to dual 8K monitors, contingent on the host system’s specifications and any adapters used. The dock can run two 6K Apple Pro Display XDRs when connected to an M4 Max system, so if you happen to have particularly crazy monitor needs on your own Mac, this is just what you need.
Aside from its Thunderbolt ports, the device includes a variety of I/O options. A 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port provides high-speed wired network access. The front of the unit houses SD and microSD UHS-II card readers, a 3.5mm combination audio jack for input and output, and a 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Type-A port. The rear features two additional USB-A ports—one offering 10 Gbps and the other 5 Gbps with BC1.2 charging at 5V/1.5A—alongside the power input and a security K-slot.
One cool thing it has is support for Thunderbolt Share. After downloading the necessary software, Windows users can connect two PCs to the dock and control both with a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This functionality allows for secure, high-speed file transfers between the connected computers and can facilitate data migration from an old PC to a new one. The feature is fully compatible with both Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 systems, but you’ll be able to take full advantage of it using this Thunderbolt 5 dock.
You canbuy the dock from Amazon, and there’s a 15% off coupon button on the store page that brings down the price to $254.96. It’s alsoavailable at Plugable’s online storefor $300.
