Recommended Dual DisplayPort Hub for new 2021 14” MBP

[Hammie]

In preparation for getting a new 14” MBP M1 Pro laptop, I am considering replacing my Windows desktop with the MBP. I still want to use my dual BenQ monitors (SW2700PT — 2560 x 1440 pixels), external USB speakers, and webcam.

I have scoured different hubs, but can’t seem to find one that has dual DisplayPort ports. Usually, they are dual HDMI or one HDMI and one DisplayPort. I would also prefer all USB 3/3.1 versus mostly USB 2, which seems to be found on the one found on Amazon.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[joevt]

Any Thunderbolt 3 dock with DisplayPort or a Thunderbolt 4 hub/dock. You can connect up to two displays per Thunderbolt 3/4 dock/hub. One or two displays will need to be connected to a downstream Thunderbolt 3 port using a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter or cable.

The Cal Digit Element Hub is a compact Thunderbolt 4 hub with three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and four USB 3.1 gen 2 (10 Gbps) type A ports. All 7 ports can do USB 10 Gbps. Upstream is shared: only 10 Gbps for USB, and in the case of an M1 Mac may use the USB controller of the M1 chip which might not perform as well as the USB controller built into the Thunderbolt hub/dock but you probably won't notice the difference.

It will be interesting to see if the new M1 PRO and M1 MAX have better USB performance or not (I'm guessing not) then the first M1 chips.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ally-10gb-s-also-definitely-not-usb4.2269777/

 

[MrGunny94]

Cal Digit or Dell it's what I have been using and have been really really happy.

 

[Hammie]

Picked up my 14" MBP yesterday. Hooked it up to my monitors (HDMI direct and HDMI to USB-C dongle) just to make sure I like working on them with MacOS as I have never worked on it with large screen (my 2009 Mac mini was used with a 15" monitor. LOL)

Now I am really in the market for a dock because I love this setup. Currently using the original Magic keyboard and trackpad from said 2009 Mac mini. Everything is working seamlessly. Love it.

Windows desktop might officially be retired.

 

[Hammie]

I just decided to go with the CalDigit USB-C HDMI Dock. My reasons are as follows:

- It had better power pass through. (95W versus 85W)
- I don't need Dispay Port. (Those were the cables that came with my BenQ 2K monitors)
- I can always add a hub for future ports (maybe the CalDigit Element)
- Clean port layout with computer connection in the rear versus front (You hear that OWC... )

 

[Manzana]

I just connected a CalDigit USB-C HDMI Dock to my 14" M1 MBP. Setup is using dual HDMI to a LG 43UN700 and it is working great so far.
Replaces an El Gato Thunderbolt 2 dock with a dodgy usb port.

 

[Manzana]

I do have one concern with this dock though, it runs hot to the touch. hopefully it lasts!