7 Docking Station for the best MacBook Pro

Apple has removed all legacy ports on the MacBook Pro. Now you want to connect any device to your MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar you need a dongle or an appropriately equipped peripheral. USB-C-based peripherals are not so common and dongles make computers cluttered and complicated. Connecting screens, especially multiple monitors, is a big deal.

The best way to solve this problem is to docking stations. Here are the best docking stations that not only address the need for legacy ports, but can also attach multiple monitors to MacBook Pro.

1. Instructions for connecting two Macs together
2. Instructions for connecting two screens on MacBook
3. How to change the Touch Bar into a traditional row of keys on Macbook Pro

Note: The docking station prices in this article are for reference only at the time of writing, subject to change. You should contact the seller to get the most accurate price.

1. Elgato Thunderbolt 3 (5.7 million VND)

With its sleek design, Elgato Thunderbolt 3 is not the cheapest docking station but it is one of the best devices. With this docking station, you get 2 years of warranty instead of one year like the other devices. It provides 85W of power to charge the Macbook Pro.

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Ports: 3 USB 3.0 ports with Qualcomm Quick Charge, 2 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, 50cm Thunderbolt cable, DisplayPort connection with 4K resolution, 5K at 60Hz, 1 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 1 audio in and out port.

Design: One of the advantages of this docking station is its compact design. At 3.2 x 7.9 x 1.1 inches, it has one of the smallest docking stations. With this shape, you cannot place it under the Macbook like the other options on this list but certainly do not obstruct the view. The chassis is made of sturdy aluminum, bringing an elegant, beautiful appearance to the Macbook.

2. Linedock (9.3 million VND)

With a sleek, slim design, neatly placed under the Macbook Pro, Linedock is the most beautiful device on this list. It has a low profile, designed for 13-inch Macbook Pro.

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Ports: It has 3 USB-C ports, including USB 3.1, Full Power Delivery 2.0 and DisplayPort. In addition, this docking station has three other USB 3.0 ports with Qualcomm Quick Charge technology. It also has an SD card reader, an HDMI 2.0 port and a Mini Displayport port. Display port supports 4K resolution display at 60Hz.

Design: This dock has an impressive design when manufacturers tried to squeeze the 20,000 mAh battery into this 0.9cm thin chassis and weighed 907 grams. There is a small U-shaped dongle used to connect Linedock to Macbook Pro without the hassle of cables. This is truly a docking station with an emphasis on compact design.

2. LandingZone USB-C Dock (nearly 7 million VND)

LandingZone USB-C Dock for MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is a Thunderbolt-based docking station with USB-C passthrough (works with Thunderbolt accessories). This dock is only for 15-inch Macbook Pro and does not work with Windows machines.

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Ports : The device has only one dual HDMI / miniDisplay port (you can only use one type of port at a time) and the second HDMI port allows at least two monitors to be used. It also has an SD card slot and a slot for a microSD card, 3 USB-C ports (data only, no video support), 3 USB 3.1 Type A ports and Gigabit Ethernet port. This docking station is one of the few devices that has a dual screen connection. You can connect at least two monitors directly to the docking station and the third monitor via passthrough on the right side of the dock. This is probably the best feature of this LandingZ USB-C Dock.

Design: This device is made of plastic, so it lacks a luxurious feel. The connection is done manually by plugging the two USB-C ports on the left of the Macbook Pro into the available adapter on the dock and then plugging the third audio jack and the third USB-C adapter into the port on the right of the Mac. This docking station has a dedicated lever to assist with disassembly. There is a problem with this manual connection: the cables may be in the wrong place, the port will not be activated. Sometimes you have to reset the cable to make sure everything is in place and fits snugly.

Of the docking stations in this list, this dock provides both legacy port and monitor support. It also has good features, good value for money but lacks Thunderbolt 3 support. It costs nearly 7 million VND.

4. OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock (VND 8.8 million)

OWC always produces quality products and OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock is one of everyone's Thunderbolt docks.

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Ports: This dock has 13 different legacy ports, including 5 USB-A 3.1 ports, 1 FireWire 800 port, Gigabit Ethernet, 2 TB3 ports, 1 miniDisplay Port, 1 SD card reader and 1 audio in / out port. . You can connect multiple monitors to this device via the miniDisplay Port and TB3 ports. However, unless the screen is also a TB screen, you will have trouble connecting to any additional devices. USB-A port is not Thunderbolt compatible.

Design : This is probably one of the best built docks on this list. It is solid, well built and easy to use. It comes in two versions, one with Firewire 800 support and the other without Firewire 800. This dock works with both Mac and Windows.

The only problem with this docking station is the lack of an additional TB port to easily connect multiple monitors. Although 5 USB-A ports can help alleviate this problem, it is still a concern for some people.

OWC TB3 Dock has a retail price of VND 8.8 million. However, if you do not need Firewire support, you can choose the Mac / Windows version costing 6.7 million VND.

5. Kensington SD5200T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station (7.7 million VND)

Kensington SD5300T TB3 Docking Station is another multi-platform dock that supports both macOS and Windows 10, providing support for a 5K monitor or two 4K displays at 60Hz. A plus for this device is that you can attach it to the back of any VESA-compatible external monitor (via a mounting plate, sold separately), keeping your desk clutter-free.

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Port: The only 15w device provides USB-A and USB-C / TB3 ports on the front of the device. On the back of the Dock is a gigabit ethernet port, USB-A 3.1 port, audio in / out, support for Kensington lock, 1 TB3 port, 1 TB3-in port, 1 Display Port and DC. Although the connection is not great, it does its job well and supports both 4K and 5K displays.

Design: Like the OWC Dock, the Kensington SD5200T is made of matte plastic and metal. It connects to a TB3-supported Mac via the TB3 cable on the back of the dock. It also supports 85W charging so you can charge it while plugged in.

Kensington SD5200T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station has a retail price of VND 7.7 million. However, on Amazon, it is cheaper than VND 6.1 million.

6. StarTech.com Mini Thunderbolt 3 Dock (2.7 million VND)

If you're looking for a docking station that supports multiple displays, aside from the Thunderbolt 3 dock, StarTech.com Mini Thunderbolt 3 Dock is the right device for you. It supports dual Display Port connection and provides some additional ports. With the cable attached, it really looks like an oversized dongle, but is also the most affordable dock on the list.

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Ports: Although this dock makes it easy to connect to multiple monitors, it only contains four ports, two Display Port ports with support for two 4K displays at 60Hz or 1 5K monitor at 60Hz, one USB3.0 port and 1 gigabit Ethernet port. This docking station doesn't need any external power source. It runs by bus, so you only need to plug the USB-C cable into the Mac. However, not using external power source also raises the problem. It does not support additional ports and cannot connect additional devices.

Design: It's made mostly of plastic just like the other docks on the list. This docking station is small, compact and easily fits into your desk. This device has no moving parts and its dimensions are highly portable. You can take it out of your home or office.

7. WAVLINK USB 3.0 & USB C Ultra HD / 5K Universal Docking Station (3.2 million VND)

If you want to set up a dual monitor system, WAVLINK Universal Docking Station might be the dock you need.

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Ports : Wavlink USB-C Ultra HD / 5K Universal Docking Station has 14 ports: 2 USB-C ports, 3 USB-A type 3 ports, 1 gigabit ethernet port, 1 DVI port, 1 4K HDMI port, 1 audio input port / out and 1 USB-C port.

Design : Wavlink USB-C Ultra HD / 5K Universal Docking Station has an all-aluminum, sturdy frame.

Depending on the purpose of use, the number of ports, the type of port, connect multiple monitors, hope you will choose a suitable docking station for Macbook Pro.