The only problem is it isn't actually universal for USB-C ports as it require Display port alt mode when used with USB-C instead of Thunderbolt and at that point it's 1080p @ 30Hz for dual monitor, a single 4k @ 30Hz or I'd expect a single 1080p @60Hz but it doesn't actually list that in the specs. The Dual 4k @60Hz is only over thunderbolt. There's also a note (dual monitors are for devices that support MST) which I don't believe Apple supports for multiple monitors and only supports MST for large single monitors so this might only support a single monitor on a Mac.
I doubt it. The page specifically says Display port alt mode is required several different times. Also Displaylink over USB should support dual 1080p @60hz pretty easily since the displaylink controller is what is actually generating the video signal. I'm literally typing this on a dual 1080p monitor setup using a displaylink controller on a generic USB 3 dock something this dock makes quite clear it can't accomplish on USB.
I'm literally typing this on a dual 1080p @60Hz monitor setup using a displaylink controller on a generic USB 3 dock something this dock makes quite clear it can't accomplish on USB.
It is strange, since Titan Ridge supports DP1.4, which would allow for dual 1080p60 + full USB 3.2 gen2 speeds. If it was really smart, it would support triple 1080p60 HDR displays with the ~12.x Gbps bandwidth afforded to a dual lane DP1.4 connection.
It's basically what the Dell WD19 USB-C dock allows for, though one would need something actually decent, like an Nvidia GPU, AMD APU/GPU, or a rare Intel 10nm CPU to drive DP1.4. The run of the mill Intel 14nm rehash won't do it with it's DP1.2 connection, and any Atom derivative with DP1.4 is very unlikely to have actually implemented the redrivers for 1.4, otherwise, they would more likely spend the extra cost on an AMD APU or an Intel Core CPU.
There seems to be a version of DP1.4 MST or something that can do 2 x 1440p @ 60hz. Check the Lenovo Type-C dock Gen2 specs, ive tested it myself. There are also other small devices with USB2.0 ports that can do it. In my research i suspected it uses extra pins and therefore can only do USB2.0 in this mode, then the Thinkpad dock came out. Maybe it uses some sort of MUX or hub, but it does technically work, though has its own set of firmware issues aside from that...
Dual DP plus dual usb-c output? Plus another three type a 10 Gbps ports. Oh that is a nice dock. Any word on how much power it can send to the laptop by PD?
Reading fail on my part. Ok that is one small downside. I wish all docks would just support 100W. 100W is the max the spec allows 100W would cover all laptops which can be powered by PD.
Agreed, the laptops here at work use 65W supplies on their own and the docks use either 90 or 130 (not sure of the output though) depending on the model.
It's interesting that both this Kensington Titan Ridge dock and CalDigit's recently released Titan Ridge Dock both don't have a second Thunderbolt 3 port to support Thunderbolt 3 daisy-chaining which was pretty much a standard feature of Alpine Ridge docks. I wonder if there is some technical limitation or if this is simply a choice dock makers all unfortunately seem to be making?
Docks are ridiculously overpriced for the tiny amount of hardware they have inside. I'm waiting for some Chinese company to start flooding Amazon with cheap docks that works the same while costing a third of the price.
I wonder the same. There are loads of cheap dongles that have a wide range of functionality and often do the same or more, at a fraction of the price. I have a USB-c dongle with a semi output, USB-c power in and a bunch of usb ports which I use as a dock. Loads of other ones come with network ports, sd card readers and more, all at under 40 euro or so.
So far Intel is the only one making Thunderbolt 3 chips, and I'm sure they're charging a lot for them. Until more manufactures come start making them (probably not until USB 4.0), I doubt you'll see anything cheaper.
Still doesn't change the fact that it's nice to just plug one cable in to the laptop after bringing it to your desk and you are not only up and running with your full desktop setup, but charging too. This kind of solution has NEVER been cheap, particularly in the days when it was proprietary per manufacturer.
This. I liked my old Dell work laptops one, not even a cable just slide in at the bottom. New laptop I was plugging in 5 cables until I got a new display with a USB hub attached, now it's 3 (power, display port, one USB cable).
I'd love a one USB C port but have a graphics card in the laptop I need, so 120W makes it outside of USB C range, I'd even be fine with two USB c cables and make it so I plug in the second one when I want to go performance mode as normal power usage is like 30W for entire laptop if on balanced.
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kpb321 - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
The only problem is it isn't actually universal for USB-C ports as it require Display port alt mode when used with USB-C instead of Thunderbolt and at that point it's 1080p @ 30Hz for dual monitor, a single 4k @ 30Hz or I'd expect a single 1080p @60Hz but it doesn't actually list that in the specs. The Dual 4k @60Hz is only over thunderbolt. There's also a note (dual monitors are for devices that support MST) which I don't believe Apple supports for multiple monitors and only supports MST for large single monitors so this might only support a single monitor on a Mac.extide - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
If DP Alt Mode isn't available it probably falls back to DisplayLink which encapsulates the data over USB with lossless compression.kpb321 - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
I doubt it. The page specifically says Display port alt mode is required several different times. Also Displaylink over USB should support dual 1080p @60hz pretty easily since the displaylink controller is what is actually generating the video signal. I'm literally typing this on a dual 1080p monitor setup using a displaylink controller on a generic USB 3 dock something this dock makes quite clear it can't accomplish on USB.kpb321 - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
I'm literally typing this on a dual 1080p @60Hz monitor setup using a displaylink controller on a generic USB 3 dock something this dock makes quite clear it can't accomplish on USB.edzieba - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
Going by every single experience I have coming into contact with anything using DisplayLink; lacking it is a feature, not a bug.jeremyshaw - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
It is strange, since Titan Ridge supports DP1.4, which would allow for dual 1080p60 + full USB 3.2 gen2 speeds. If it was really smart, it would support triple 1080p60 HDR displays with the ~12.x Gbps bandwidth afforded to a dual lane DP1.4 connection.It's basically what the Dell WD19 USB-C dock allows for, though one would need something actually decent, like an Nvidia GPU, AMD APU/GPU, or a rare Intel 10nm CPU to drive DP1.4. The run of the mill Intel 14nm rehash won't do it with it's DP1.2 connection, and any Atom derivative with DP1.4 is very unlikely to have actually implemented the redrivers for 1.4, otherwise, they would more likely spend the extra cost on an AMD APU or an Intel Core CPU.
danielfranklin - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
There seems to be a version of DP1.4 MST or something that can do 2 x 1440p @ 60hz.Check the Lenovo Type-C dock Gen2 specs, ive tested it myself.
There are also other small devices with USB2.0 ports that can do it.
In my research i suspected it uses extra pins and therefore can only do USB2.0 in this mode, then the Thinkpad dock came out. Maybe it uses some sort of MUX or hub, but it does technically work, though has its own set of firmware issues aside from that...
TheUnhandledException - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
Dual DP plus dual usb-c output? Plus another three type a 10 Gbps ports. Oh that is a nice dock. Any word on how much power it can send to the laptop by PD?BloodyBunnySlippers - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
The article states 60WTheUnhandledException - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
Reading fail on my part. Ok that is one small downside. I wish all docks would just support 100W. 100W is the max the spec allows 100W would cover all laptops which can be powered by PD.Icehawk - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
Agreed, the laptops here at work use 65W supplies on their own and the docks use either 90 or 130 (not sure of the output though) depending on the model.ltcommanderdata - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
It's interesting that both this Kensington Titan Ridge dock and CalDigit's recently released Titan Ridge Dock both don't have a second Thunderbolt 3 port to support Thunderbolt 3 daisy-chaining which was pretty much a standard feature of Alpine Ridge docks. I wonder if there is some technical limitation or if this is simply a choice dock makers all unfortunately seem to be making?The_Assimilator - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
Docks are ridiculously overpriced for the tiny amount of hardware they have inside. I'm waiting for some Chinese company to start flooding Amazon with cheap docks that works the same while costing a third of the price.nandnandnand - Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - link
But they'll catch fire, burning down your home and killing your dog! (to be fair maybe some of the non-Chinese ones will too)bigvlada - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
This is what you get in the race for ever thinner laptops. Ports are sold separately. Atari ST workplace with forest of cables.jospoortvliet - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
I wonder the same. There are loads of cheap dongles that have a wide range of functionality and often do the same or more, at a fraction of the price. I have a USB-c dongle with a semi output, USB-c power in and a bunch of usb ports which I use as a dock. Loads of other ones come with network ports, sd card readers and more, all at under 40 euro or so.DigitalFreak - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
So far Intel is the only one making Thunderbolt 3 chips, and I'm sure they're charging a lot for them. Until more manufactures come start making them (probably not until USB 4.0), I doubt you'll see anything cheaper.jabber - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
I remember a time when laptops had most of this stuff built it. Good times.ABR - Thursday, December 19, 2019 - link
Still doesn't change the fact that it's nice to just plug one cable in to the laptop after bringing it to your desk and you are not only up and running with your full desktop setup, but charging too. This kind of solution has NEVER been cheap, particularly in the days when it was proprietary per manufacturer.RSAUser - Monday, December 23, 2019 - link
This.I liked my old Dell work laptops one, not even a cable just slide in at the bottom. New laptop I was plugging in 5 cables until I got a new display with a USB hub attached, now it's 3 (power, display port, one USB cable).
I'd love a one USB C port but have a graphics card in the laptop I need, so 120W makes it outside of USB C range, I'd even be fine with two USB c cables and make it so I plug in the second one when I want to go performance mode as normal power usage is like 30W for entire laptop if on balanced.
jabber - Thursday, December 26, 2019 - link
Yeah I think you are both forgetting that when you unplugged back then...you still had all those ports on the laptop wherever you went.This is like having to take your docking station with you. Not a step forwards.