Alogic’s new Thunderbolt 4 docks deliver max speed and connections

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Unlock the potential of your MacBook Pro with a blazing-fast Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Unlock the potential of your MacBook Pro with a blazing-fast Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Image: Alogic

This post on USB-C docks is brought to you by Alogic.

Not all USB-C hubs and docks are created equal. While all Type-C ports look virtually identical, the fact is that some are faster and more capable than others. If you want the best possible throughput, you need to seek out ones that support the latest standards — Thunderbolt 4/USB 4.

Buying the right USB-C dock or hub will let you get the most out of living the “one cable for everything” dream. And it will future-proof your setup (at least as much as is possible in the fast-paced computing world).

Why choose Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 dock or hub?

The various flavors of Type-C connection can make things confusing for port-craving laptop owners. But with Alogic’s new Blaze Docking Station and Blaze Hub, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. You can take advantage of the speed and performance of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4, and enjoy the extensibility of a multiport dock for connecting all the things.

Alogic Blaze Docking Station

When it comes to docking stations for your laptop, the most critical things are having adequate power and throughput, plus enough ports for your peripherals. (That’s especially true if you’re not using the absolute latest MacBook Pros, which finally restored some crucial ports to Apple’s laptop lineup.)

The Blaze Docking Station more than delivers on the needs of anyone who owns a laptop. With a trio of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports on the back delivering data at the maximum speed of 40 Gbps, the Blaze Docking Station can drive a pair of 4K displays at 60Hz over Thunderbolt 3 or 4. Plus, it still packs enough bandwidth to connect a third USB-C or Thunderbolt accessory.

On top of that, the backside of the dock offers three USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a DC power port providing up to 96W to charge the connected laptop.

What makes the Blaze Docking Station even more useful is the additional ports on the front of the classy aluminum device. Alongside the Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 input (where you connect your laptop with the included Thunderbolt cable), you get a 3.5mm combo audio jack for your wired headphones or speaker system, a USB-A 2.0 port (ideal for connecting a wireless keyboard or mouse dongle, or a Lightning cable for charging your devices), and an SD 4.0 card reader.

As someone with a 2019 MacBook Pro, I found the SD card reader extremely helpful for moving video and photos shot on my camera over to my external USB-C drive for editing and storage. Having 96W charging also means I can get the maximum charging speed for my laptop over the same cable that is driving my secondary display and showing me those externally stored files.

Alogic Blaze Hub

If your setup requires less USB-A, and doesn’t need SD card or Ethernet support, the Alogic Blaze Hub has just what you need. Packed into a slightly smaller package, the Blaze Hub sports the same trio of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports on the back, along with the DC power in.

On the front of the device, you get a Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 input for connecting your laptop or USB-C device (with the included Thunderbolt 4 cable) and a single USB-A 3.2 port. This allows you to connect a pair of 4K Displays at 60Hz over Thunderbolt, a legacy USB-A peripheral, and another USB-C peripheral, all while charging your laptop at up to 60W via a single cable.

The only drawback to the Blaze Hub, to me, is the need for the external power block. While the whole package is still compact enough that it could be packed into a bag for travel, it’s clearly designed to be wired in at a desk or workspace, unlike many other “hubs” on the market.

Final thoughts on new Alogic USB-C dock and hub

From their sleek, Apple-inspired design to their impressive connectivity options, Alogic’s Blaze Docking Station and Blaze Hub are great products to help declutter the mess of cables on your desk. And since they utilize the latest USB-C standards, you won’t find yourself suffering from a lack of speed or capabilities.

Whether you’re looking for a way to connect a few external peripherals, or want a single cable solution to connecting a pair of displays, Alogic has you covered.

You can pick up either product directly from Alogic. The Blaze Hub costs $189.99, while the Blaze Docking Station runs $279.99.

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