One problem with Thunderbolt 3 and even USB C docks - is that you usually need a doc from manufacture especially if you want power delivery and video at same time.
Gotta love progress. Now we have one allegedly universal port, and as a result we have to buy docks in order to get some usable I/O LOL. It really made life easier.
At least USB-C / TB3 has succeeded where HDBaseT (IEEE 1911) could not. The biggest problem with HDBT was that the standard 8P8C connector was too "fat" so slim notebooks and mobile devices couldn't use it which is probably why adoption never took off. But HDBT had a lot of good things going for it, much like TB3 it could do data, video, ethernet, and power all over a single cable. The cable itself was HDBT's biggest selling point as it was just regular old "cheap-as-dirt" Cat 5e/6 ethernet cables which could be used at distances over 300 ft making it the only multifunction standard that was practical for long cable runs.
Every time I see the price of TB3 cables I am reminded of HDBT and the cabling paradise that could've been.
Most people don't understand the power of Thunderbolt 3 - this adapter is only small part of it and does not included PCIe expansion box that can run Dual GPU in SLI external to box. Thunderbolt drive storage and video cab dual DisplayPorts at same time.
Yep. These things should be £99 MAX and that's still too much. It's, at the end of the day, a box with ports. Consider that an entire laptop can be purchased for x/y.
This isn't a device for $300 notebooks, it's for $3000 notebooks. There are cheaper solutions, but this is meant to be the best possible technology. To get that, you have to pay.
My thoughts exactly. I have older TB2 dock (http://www.i-tec.cz/?t=3&v=443) and even that one has two video ports, but they are limited to FHD. I would love to see TB3 dock with 2xUHD output (60Hz), 4+ USB ports, 3.5mm jack and ethernet, that can power notebook via USB-C.
I have always wondered why the majority of USB-C and TB3 docks include HDMI rather than Displayport. It even adds complexity for the manufacturer. Aren't users most likely to connect to an external monitor (DP) rather than a TV or projector (HDMI)?
Nowadays all but the most dirt-cheap monitors have Displayport. Even so, someone buying a 250$ or 300$ dock is very likely to have a high-end monitor as well.
Isn't this the same company that made those flaky Promise raid controllers & IDE/Sata controllers way back in the day. I really hope their products are of much higher quality now days if this in indeed the same company.
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merikafyeah - Monday, November 20, 2017 - link
One dock to rule them all.HStewart - Monday, November 20, 2017 - link
One problem with Thunderbolt 3 and even USB C docks - is that you usually need a doc from manufacture especially if you want power delivery and video at same time.ddriver - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Gotta love progress. Now we have one allegedly universal port, and as a result we have to buy docks in order to get some usable I/O LOL. It really made life easier.merikafyeah - Thursday, November 23, 2017 - link
At least USB-C / TB3 has succeeded where HDBaseT (IEEE 1911) could not. The biggest problem with HDBT was that the standard 8P8C connector was too "fat" so slim notebooks and mobile devices couldn't use it which is probably why adoption never took off. But HDBT had a lot of good things going for it, much like TB3 it could do data, video, ethernet, and power all over a single cable. The cable itself was HDBT's biggest selling point as it was just regular old "cheap-as-dirt" Cat 5e/6 ethernet cables which could be used at distances over 300 ft making it the only multifunction standard that was practical for long cable runs.Every time I see the price of TB3 cables I am reminded of HDBT and the cabling paradise that could've been.
imaheadcase - Monday, November 20, 2017 - link
$250 what a joke. lolCyanara - Monday, November 20, 2017 - link
You probably don't wanna see how much a Thunderbolt to 10Gbe adapter costs then :pHStewart - Monday, November 20, 2017 - link
Most people don't understand the power of Thunderbolt 3 - this adapter is only small part of it and does not included PCIe expansion box that can run Dual GPU in SLI external to box. Thunderbolt drive storage and video cab dual DisplayPorts at same time.damianrobertjones - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Yep. These things should be £99 MAX and that's still too much. It's, at the end of the day, a box with ports. Consider that an entire laptop can be purchased for x/y.Flunk - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
This isn't a device for $300 notebooks, it's for $3000 notebooks. There are cheaper solutions, but this is meant to be the best possible technology. To get that, you have to pay.Lolimaster - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Any $3000 or even $1000 should have all those ports included in the 1st place, specially if you inclue "pro" in the name.dontlistentome - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Brilliant. One display output for a device likely aimed at pros (and yes, I know it's got a TB3 through port too).The Lenovo one has three outputs (and TB3 through).
Guess this is driven by Apple's stupid insistence on only allowing a single display per TB3 port, despite them being able to support 2x4k60 / 1x5k60.
BillBear - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Apple allows more than one display daisy chained per Thunderbolt 3 port.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP1thwUcO9c
qap - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
My thoughts exactly. I have older TB2 dock (http://www.i-tec.cz/?t=3&v=443) and even that one has two video ports, but they are limited to FHD.I would love to see TB3 dock with 2xUHD output (60Hz), 4+ USB ports, 3.5mm jack and ethernet, that can power notebook via USB-C.
Jimios - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
I have always wondered why the majority of USB-C and TB3 docks include HDMI rather than Displayport. It even adds complexity for the manufacturer. Aren't users most likely to connect to an external monitor (DP) rather than a TV or projector (HDMI)?Flunk - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
I've always assumed that it was because (annoyingly) only really high-end monitors have DisplayPort.Jimios - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Nowadays all but the most dirt-cheap monitors have Displayport.Even so, someone buying a 250$ or 300$ dock is very likely to have a high-end monitor as well.
ingwe - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Agreed. It should have Displayport.rocky12345 - Tuesday, November 21, 2017 - link
Isn't this the same company that made those flaky Promise raid controllers & IDE/Sata controllers way back in the day. I really hope their products are of much higher quality now days if this in indeed the same company.