Thunderbolt is one of those tech innovations with a lot of promise, but not much felt effect for the average user. Thunderbolt docks can change that, and the new Elgato Thunderbolt 2 dock promises a much more complete upgrade vs. The Thunderbolt docks of years past.

1. Elgato Thunderbolt Dock Windows

With USB charging, 4K output via the HDMI port, both audio out and microphone in ports, plus three USB 3.0 ports and a Gigabit Ethernet connector, it’s a way to make use of those Thunderbolts on your MacBook for something practical. Basics. 3x USB 3.0, 2x Thunderbolt 2, 1 HDMI, 1 GIgabit Ethernet, 1 3.5mm audio in, 1 3.5mm audio out. Aluminum outer shell. Includes software to eject all connected drives. Bundled with Thunderbolt cable. MSRP: $229.95.

Pros. Small physical footprint. Cheaper than competitors Cons.

Still expensive Design The design of the Elgato Thunderbolt 2 Dock may be its most appealing feature, since it matches well with virtually any device in Apple’s line-up of personal computers, and it also takes up relatively little space compared to previous generations and competitors like the. gallery ids='105,1089574' The single front-facing USB 3.0 port and 3.5mm input and output (with the out providing amplified signal) is well-placed and easily reached, but I’d be happier if Elgato and anyone else making these docks would just put all the USB inputs up front, even if that is less aesthetically pleasing. I understand that for many, having more permanent solutions in back for stuff that isn’t swapped out that often makes more sense, however. Other aspects of the design are mostly unexciting, and with a device like this, that’s more of a complement than anything else. A dock should almost be part of the furniture, and the Elgato’s understated Mac hardware camouflage gets things more or less exactly right. Performance In terms of performance, there’s a lot to recommend this solution. The 1.5A of power supplied to each USB port is enough to make sure your iPhone or iPad can charge when connected, and the HDMI supports 4K resolution in case you happen to be lucky enough to have a great display to use with your Mac.

The USB 3 ports also provide improved speeds, which means that USB 3.0 hardware will transfer files quickly, and the audio out does appear to have some effect on making sound a bit more deep and rich, though don’t expect this to replicate the function of dedicated USB audio amps. The Gigabit Ethernet port also does its job admirably, giving your MacBook a wired connection when you get it home and plug-in to the stationary office after a spell on the road. The companion software available via download from Elagto’s support site is also a nice touch: It can eject all connected storage drives with a single click form eh menu bar, which is something that OS X should probably offer as a built-in option. Kudos to Elgato for including it, however, as well as bundling in an actual Thunderbolt 2 cable, since having to buy a spare for $50 was always a kick in the pants with the original versions of these Thunderbolt hubs.

Elgato Thunderbolt Dock Windows

Bottom Line Elgato has delivered a solid, basic accessory that benefits just about any Mac owner, and they’ve done it at around $70 less than the competition in the form of the Thunderbolt 2 Express Dock from Belkin. The upcoming adds two more USB 3.0 ports, and a FireWire 800 port for just $20 more, so it might be worth waiting for that if you have legacy hardware or more connectivity needs, but the Elgato at $229 is the best, most affordable option right now, and it should fit the needs of most.

I'm using an Elgato Thunderbolt 2 Dock which has a second Thunderbolt port and a seperate HDMI port. I have an HDMI display connected to the HDMI port and a LaCie HDD connected to the second thunderbolt port.

On that LaCie HDD there is an LG ULTRAWIDE connected via MiniDisplayPort to DisplayPort. If I only plug in the HDMI device it works. If I only connect the DisplayPort-Device to the LaCie HDD it works. If I connect both displays only the one connected first will work but whenever I connect one of the displays the MacBook goes black for a moment and comes back with only one monitor recognized. The Elgato homepage states that there needs to be another Thunderbolt device between the dock and the DisplayPort Monitor but my LaCie IS that device.

Why don't I get a signal on the second monitor? MacBook Pro Mid-2012 OS X 10.9.5 Connection Diagram: MBP = Elgato Dock (with HDMI connected) = LaCie HDD = DisplayPort Monitor. This is a really interesting question that gets to the heart of how display signals travel over Thunderbolt. Your mac is capable of driving two 'Thunderbolt displays'. The special thing about the thunderbolt display is that it is capable of 'pulling' the display signal out of the thunderbolt signal.

This specifically is called 'demuxing' (de-multiplexing). So technically, thunderbolt is capable of carrying two multiplexed display signals. In contrast, when you use a displayport adapter on a thunderbolt chain, the bus driving that port from your mac is only capable of sending that one display signal since it is not being multiplexed on the wire.

The Elgato dock (or ) is capable of doing the same thing as a thunderbolt display, in that it is demuxing a display signal from the thunderbolt wire to provide an HDMI port. If you are using the HDMI port, you can't plug a displayport display into the other end of the thunderbolt chain - there is no component to demux the other display signal.

You COULD use a thunderbolt display in this position. But, you have one other option! If you buy a SECOND Elgato device and add it to the thunderbolt chain, you now have a component to demux a second display signal to another HDMI port. Then you can use the two HDMI ports to drive whatever displays you want!