Microsoft last week announced the new Surface Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, a versatile $366 accessory that meets the needs of desktop and laptop computer users to connect to virtually every essential port in the office, even if the ports for SD card, DisplayPort and HDMI are not present.
8-in-1 docking station includes two USB-A ports (3.1 Gen 2), two USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), one Ethernet port (2.5 Gbps), one 3.5 audio jack mm and a security lock (Kensington compatible) on the back, as well as USB-A (3.1 Gen 2) and USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports on the front. This means users can quickly plug in a thumb drive, USB dongle, or smartphone without having to crawl behind their workstation and risk tensing a muscle (and I know that).
With Thunderbolt 4 support, the docking station can simultaneously charge your computer (up to 96W) and connected peripherals with the 165W power supply. It also allows you to connect up to two 4K monitors at 60Hz.
The back of the Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock. Image: Microsoft.
One of the significant changes with the new accessory is the removal of the Surface Connect port, a proprietary charging connector that has been in Surface computers since 2014. This means that, theoretically, one can charge and use the docking station with systems not Microsoft like the or any other laptop designed with the idea that two USB ports are enough to survive the hybrid age of work.
The Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock costs $366, which isn’t cheap for an expansion hub, but only if you compare it to ones that don’t support the latest USB-C technology. Compared to alternatives with similar functions offered by Anker and Accell, Microsoft’s Hub is similarly priced and is another possible option for users who value more ports and connections.
Source: ZDNet.com