Finally found a hub that works! Dell TB16

[senoltreble]

I have been looking for a solution to connect my MBA M1 with multiple external display and peripherals.

I purchased numerous USB C hubs off of Amazon, but none of them seems work seamlessly. Either the 4K monitor would be capped at 30 hz or things simply didn't work.

I was decided to buy a second hand Dell TB16 docking station and this was what I have been looking for.

The 4K monitor works at 60 Hz via USB C (Thunderbolt slot) to DisplayPort cable works beautifully. I have lan and Anker vertical mouse connected.

If you are looking for a solution to expand your connections, consider trying out one of those thunderbolt docking stations.

 

[yanghaoyu97]

Hi there, thanks for sharing the information. However I want to point out the "multiple external display" could be misleading because natively MacBook air M1 would only support one external monitor with passthrough docks like Dell TB16. To work with multiple displays, you would need one with DisplayLink chip builtin while Dell TB16 doesn't.

 

[brrip]

Did it just work out of the box or did you have to do any software tinkering?

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[donperi]

I just tried TB16 dock with my MBP14 after seeing this post and it is working so far at least HDMI and audio jack without issues.
Somehow the HDMI outstopped working but unplugin/plugin the dock fixed it.
I didn't work with my prev 16in Intel.

 

[mihaila]

I just tried TB16 dock with my MBP14 after seeing this post and it is working so far at least HDMI and audio jack without issues.
Somehow the HDMI outstopped working but unplugin/plugin the dock fixed it.
I didn't work with my prev 16in Intel.

did you need to update the TB16 firmware?

 

[donperi]

did you need to update the TB16 firmware?

I think mine has this update applied. I haven't updated it recently as I don't have a Dell laptop anymore.
But I can tell you that with this same version, it didn't work with my old mbp.

 

[hchen42]

I have been looking for a solution to connect my MBA M1 with multiple external display and peripherals.

I purchased numerous USB C hubs off of Amazon, but none of them seems work seamlessly. Either the 4K monitor would be capped at 30 hz or things simply didn't work.

I was decided to buy a second hand Dell TB16 docking station and this was what I have been looking for.

The 4K monitor works at 60 Hz via USB C (Thunderbolt slot) to DisplayPort cable works beautifully. I have lan and Anker vertical mouse connected.

If you are looking for a solution to expand your connections, consider trying out one of those thunderbolt docking stations.

Thanks for sharing. I am considering getting a used TB16. Does this dock charge your MBA M1?

 

[casco_oscuro]

I have been looking for a solution to connect my MBA M1 with multiple external display and peripherals.

I purchased numerous USB C hubs off of Amazon, but none of them seems work seamlessly. Either the 4K monitor would be capped at 30 hz or things simply didn't work.

I was decided to buy a second hand Dell TB16 docking station and this was what I have been looking for.

The 4K monitor works at 60 Hz via USB C (Thunderbolt slot) to DisplayPort cable works beautifully. I have lan and Anker vertical mouse connected.

If you are looking for a solution to expand your connections, consider trying out one of those thunderbolt docking stations.

Thanks for the info, because this post I bought a second hand TB16 and I have to say it works!!!!!

Macbook pro 14 m1 and a 27 2k and 34 qhd.

 

[mrksmith425]

Thanks for sharing. I am considering getting a used TB16. Does this dock charge your MBA M1?

yes it does charge the MBA

 

[JTK Awesome]

OP please tell me how you got this dock to work. I bought the same one new from Amazon. As also stated in this thread, it didn’t work at all with a 2019 Intel MBP (except charging). With a new 2023 M2 MBP everything (Ethernet, USB Ports, charging) except HDMI works. The MBP can’t detect the HDMI display at all. Not even after dis/reconnecting the dock’s USB cable.

By contrast, a cheap Satechi USB-C hub (Ethernet, HDMI, USB Ports, power passthrough) works flawlessly.

PS: This dock works perfectly with my Dell work laptop. So the dock isn’t the problem.

 

[senoltreble]

OP please tell me how you got this dock to work. I bought the same one new from Amazon. As also stated in this thread, it didn’t work at all with a 2019 Intel MBP (except charging). With a new 2023 M2 MBP everything (Ethernet, USB Ports, charging) except HDMI works. The MBP can’t detect the HDMI display at all. Not even after dis/reconnecting the dock’s USB cable.

By contrast, a cheap Satechi USB-C hub (Ethernet, HDMI, USB Ports, power passthrough) works flawlessly.

PS: This dock works perfectly with my Dell work laptop. So the dock isn’t the problem.

I wish I can be more explicit, but I don't know what else to say other than say it just works when I plug everything in.

By any chance, have you try putting in the clamshell mode? As in, power display, keyboard, and mouse plugged in, and closed laptop?

 

[JTK Awesome]

I wish I can be more explicit, but I don't know what else to say other than say it just works when I plug everything in.

By any chance, have you try putting in the clamshell mode? As in, power display, keyboard, and mouse plugged in, and closed laptop?

Strange idea but I have nothing to lose. I’ll report back. My Dell laptop did not need to be in clamshell mode FWIW.

This guy (currently on sale) + spare MBP USB-C charger is Plan B. I don’t need the spare HDMI, and I wanted at least pass through charging (for a true one-cable-does-it-all solution, what TB should be), but oh well. You just can’t have it all buying a dock or hub.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TB3MDK5PO/

 

[JTK Awesome]

UPDATE no-go on clamshell mode. Still no video output at all - MBP doesn't even recognize the existence of the display. No issues at all with my Satechi USB hub, so it's not the Mac, Display, or cables.

YMMV trying to use this Dell TB dock with a Mac.

UPDATE 2 Received the OWC hub and it's working properly.