It's irritating, but I can remember all the way back to when CD-burners first started appearing and were $1000+. I guess this tends to go with the territory sometimes. As you say, with TB support finally spreading to more systems and Intel getting it's gen2 shrink ramped up (which will presumably begin to drop prices and increase availability), we'll hopefully start to see more competition and dropping prices towards the end of this year and into 2013.
I think the real killer app for TB remains external PCIe combined with ultrabooks, but it looks like that'll be a longer wait. That's the only one that really sticks out as truly justifying a significant price premium. Really good hubs, storage arrays etc would all be nice to have, but they aren't impressive enough to justify massive margins IMO.
I agree, TB has a lot of potential as a docking solution, but it may be years until it's fully realized... Most input and even audio duties can be handled by a simple USB dock (USB audio DACs are very common these days), and most people don't really use or need GigE at home... So basically Thunderbolt just saves them from plugging in one display connector, and they still have to plug in power + TB (vs power + USB + display).
The killer usage case that would push TB over the top and even justify a price premium would be external GPUs but it looks like that won't be common until the next TB rev and optical cables...
The killer app for TB is a connector that is as easy as the Apple power connector or a design that allows real docking, like the docking stations for Thinkpads, A cable is so much fumbling around. It should be integrated into a stand where the laptop can rest (either upright or in a usable position).
Granted the link in TB is only about the same as PCIe 2.5x or so, but why not include a MXM slot for external LCD's and gaming? Wouldn't it be nice to buy a ultra portable and when you dock you can play games on a large LCD?
Just a thought. Dell docks for the old Latitude circa 2001 had three PCI slots in them, we used them often for having monitors attatched to our work station while taking the laptop on the go...
I need a powerfull GPU for work, and the mobility of a laptop,. This leave me about no practical choices. I need the flexibility of connecting an external dock.
However, MXM? Let's aim for PCIEx4. I do not know many MXM card vendor... And dealing with laptop GPU drivers is an unwelcomed pain.
Because MXM permits a small dock that has less cooling. You are not going to get any great perf out of any card due to TB's bandwidth limitations, might as well go with something small given the inherent limitations.
PCIEx4 does not give you any benefit when TB itself can only transfer at about PCIEx2.5 or so.
I'm considering buying an Air and would occasionally need firewire for my audio interface. Unfortunately, my interface is picky and only likes Ti chipsets for firewire. Any idea what chipset is used in the Belkin product (or I'm open to other Thunderbolt->firewire solutions).
The first thing that is rather disappointing to me. Is that these purport them selves to be "docks". Yet, have only two 2 USB 2.0 ports ? Then only one ( did I read it right ? ) USB 3.0 port ? Yes, yes, USB 3.0 is backward compatible with the 2.0 standard. We all know this. But what if "we" wanted to use a standard keyboard, mouse, external storage, *and* a printer? Personally, I think USB 2.0 ports should be a minimum of 4.
Gigabit LAN, DVI, and audio outputs are all a waste of space for me personally, but I can see these being useful for someone.
Lastly I would have to disagree with the author of the article somewhat. While USB 3.0 is great for external storage. It can not hope to keep up with eSATA. The problem with eSATA is finding a reasonably priced enclosure, that is reliable. Baring the reliability issue ( which is a huge game changer for me ) eSATA is a lot better than USB 3.0.
For $399 however . . . I would almost expect some form of storage to be on board.
I wished the name "Dock" would be banned for solutions that are connected by a cable. Or did you ever see a transport capsule "docked" to the ISS?
If a company dares to ask $249 or $399 for some port translator, at least they should include a real dock. With which I mean some kind of contraption, a stand of sorts, I can store the laptop in and don't have to fumble with cables. Off course that should include the power connector.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
13 Comments
Back to Article
JMS3072 - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Unfortunately, I emailed Matrox, and the DVI port on their dock is only single-link. Quite sad, really.jontech - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
We will see these down to sub 200 levels soon, which is worth itzanon - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
It's irritating, but I can remember all the way back to when CD-burners first started appearing and were $1000+. I guess this tends to go with the territory sometimes. As you say, with TB support finally spreading to more systems and Intel getting it's gen2 shrink ramped up (which will presumably begin to drop prices and increase availability), we'll hopefully start to see more competition and dropping prices towards the end of this year and into 2013.I think the real killer app for TB remains external PCIe combined with ultrabooks, but it looks like that'll be a longer wait. That's the only one that really sticks out as truly justifying a significant price premium. Really good hubs, storage arrays etc would all be nice to have, but they aren't impressive enough to justify massive margins IMO.
Impulses - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
I agree, TB has a lot of potential as a docking solution, but it may be years until it's fully realized... Most input and even audio duties can be handled by a simple USB dock (USB audio DACs are very common these days), and most people don't really use or need GigE at home... So basically Thunderbolt just saves them from plugging in one display connector, and they still have to plug in power + TB (vs power + USB + display).Impulses - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
The killer usage case that would push TB over the top and even justify a price premium would be external GPUs but it looks like that won't be common until the next TB rev and optical cables...Conficio - Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - link
The killer app for TB is a connector that is as easy as the Apple power connector or a design that allows real docking, like the docking stations for Thinkpads, A cable is so much fumbling around. It should be integrated into a stand where the laptop can rest (either upright or in a usable position).Reflex - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
Granted the link in TB is only about the same as PCIe 2.5x or so, but why not include a MXM slot for external LCD's and gaming? Wouldn't it be nice to buy a ultra portable and when you dock you can play games on a large LCD?Just a thought. Dell docks for the old Latitude circa 2001 had three PCI slots in them, we used them often for having monitors attatched to our work station while taking the laptop on the go...
Relaxe - Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - link
I agreehttp://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2698168/msi-GUS-...
This external GPU enclosure is what we need.
I need a powerfull GPU for work, and the mobility of a laptop,. This leave me about no practical choices. I need the flexibility of connecting an external dock.
However, MXM? Let's aim for PCIEx4. I do not know many MXM card vendor... And dealing with laptop GPU drivers is an unwelcomed pain.
Reflex - Thursday, June 7, 2012 - link
Because MXM permits a small dock that has less cooling. You are not going to get any great perf out of any card due to TB's bandwidth limitations, might as well go with something small given the inherent limitations.PCIEx4 does not give you any benefit when TB itself can only transfer at about PCIEx2.5 or so.
dagamer34 - Sunday, June 24, 2012 - link
I'm sure even your average MXM GPU will be leaps and bounds better than the Intel HD 4000 in the MacBook Air today.Trefugl - Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - link
I'm considering buying an Air and would occasionally need firewire for my audio interface. Unfortunately, my interface is picky and only likes Ti chipsets for firewire. Any idea what chipset is used in the Belkin product (or I'm open to other Thunderbolt->firewire solutions).yyrkoon - Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - link
So little offered for so much money.The first thing that is rather disappointing to me. Is that these purport them selves to be "docks". Yet, have only two 2 USB 2.0 ports ? Then only one ( did I read it right ? ) USB 3.0 port ? Yes, yes, USB 3.0 is backward compatible with the 2.0 standard. We all know this. But what if "we" wanted to use a standard keyboard, mouse, external storage, *and* a printer? Personally, I think USB 2.0 ports should be a minimum of 4.
Gigabit LAN, DVI, and audio outputs are all a waste of space for me personally, but I can see these being useful for someone.
Lastly I would have to disagree with the author of the article somewhat. While USB 3.0 is great for external storage. It can not hope to keep up with eSATA. The problem with eSATA is finding a reasonably priced enclosure, that is reliable. Baring the reliability issue ( which is a huge game changer for me ) eSATA is a lot better than USB 3.0.
For $399 however . . . I would almost expect some form of storage to be on board.
Conficio - Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - link
I wished the name "Dock" would be banned for solutions that are connected by a cable. Or did you ever see a transport capsule "docked" to the ISS?If a company dares to ask $249 or $399 for some port translator, at least they should include a real dock. With which I mean some kind of contraption, a stand of sorts, I can store the laptop in and don't have to fumble with cables. Off course that should include the power connector.