Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
One thing that all professionals, and especially creatives, seem to want is more ports. They want to equip their computers with a plethora of ports so they have multiple displays, SD and microSD card readers, Ethernet, and USB-A and USB-C ports.
This is where docking stations (dock and hub) come in. And Satechi makes some of the best docking stations available on the market.
One dock I was excited to test out is the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro. It has its own power supply and a wide range of ports. It was also designed for creative professionals. And how many ports does it have? 16 in total!
Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock Features
- 2x DisplayPort
- 2x HDMI 2.1
- 1x Thunderbolt 4
- 1x USB-C 3.2 10Gbps
- 5x USB-A 3.2 (3x 10Gbps, 2x 5Gbps)
- 1x USB 2.0 for charging up to 7.5W
- SD and microSD card slots
- 3.5mm audio jack input/output
- 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- Kensington type lock
- 20V main power supply (included)
-
Dimensions: 195 x 105 x 47mm -
Weight :
693g
I try a lot of these types of high-end accessories that look good on paper, but fall short when put to the test.
A good example of the problems I have already encountered in the field is performance. I tested docks that seemed to work well when using ports individually, but whose performance dropped drastically when using multiple devices, and therefore multiple ports, at the same time.
This Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro works just as well with a single connected device as with a dozen
I also tested docks which suddenly failed on the network side, had display problems and disconnected peripherals when used intensively. I’ve even seen some suddenly lock up and require disconnecting the power to come back to life.
The ports on the front of the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
Given Satechi’s professional-grade requirements and its price, I was eager to see how the Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro performed under heavy load. Well his performances were perfect.
This Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro works just as well with a single connected device as with a dozen. I connected monitors, external drives, and dongles, while sending a lot of data through the Ethernet port, and it didn’t flinch. And this for hours.
The ports on the back of the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET.
For Mac users, things are a little more limited
This docking station is capable of operating up to four displays in 4K 60Hz. But just because she can do it doesn’t mean you should, because there are restrictions.
The word “until” is important. Windows PCs support up to four displays in extended mode with support for Multi-Stream Transport (MST).
For Mac users, things are a little more limited. Macs that support Single Stream Transport (SST) can stream video in extended mode to two displays and mirror the other two. The M1 and M2 Macs only support a single external monitor, which means that only one video group can be used at a time with output to an extended mode display and a mirrored mode display.
Perfect integration into an office
The other feature I like about the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro is how well it fits into an office. Many docks are lightweight, and while that’s not a sign of poor quality, I find that once you’ve plugged in a bunch of cables and devices, the dock no longer fits on the desk. It levitates strangely, held together by the rigidity of the cables, or it is dragged everywhere.
This Satechi dock with its weight of 693 g combined with rubber feet remains firm on the desk. I also like that it’s powered by an adapter rather than a power cord, since power cables can be thick and flimsy.
The weight of the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro is an advantage. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Additionally, having the power supply separated allows the unit to run relatively cooler. This is a plus, as it not only prevents the dock from frying your desktop, but also prevents unnecessary thermal wear and instabilities caused by overheating.
At €380, the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro dock is intended for professionals
At €380, the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro dock is aimed at professionals who need high quality, and this accessory lives up to the “pro” label. The general public can get away with a much more modest product, but if you’re relying on a dock and need something that will perform reliably no matter what you do, this is the dock for you. must.
The more I use this Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro, the more I feel that it belongs on every creative professional’s desk. This is truly the dock of my dreams.