I bought this to use under a conference table to connect HDMI, Ethernet, and a USB webcam to a slightly older MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt-2. This might be the only dock that can do that (via Apple's Thunderbolt-2-to-3 adapter) while also supporting USB-3-over-USB-C laptops such as the 12" MacBook; and newer Thunderbolt-3-over-USB-C laptops (like the latest MacBook Pros) with full speed and Thunderbolt-3's better video capabilities. Since this laptop won't last forever, and I also want to support guest laptops. With Thunderbolt-3 or USB-3-over-USB-C, the hub also powers the laptop from the one single cable (Thunderbolt-2 doesn't support this).
Everything works flawlessly. No issues with wake from sleep, no issues with HDMI (via an active DisplayPort adapter which is required). Audio is properly sent over HDMI. It would be nice if the hub had its own HDMI, but the adapter is inexpensive, small, and lossless, and maybe DisplayPort is better for some people.
I also like that the hub has no power button since it's under the table. It just does the right thing.
The documentation, and the labels on the port themselves, are quite clear, straightforward, and specific on most points.
Some tips:
For a single cable to support both older USB-3-over-USB-C laptops as well as newer Thunderbolt-3-over-USB-C laptops at full speed, you need a passive Thunderbolt-3-over-USB-C cable, which by definition can't be longer than 0.5 meters. Such a cable is included with the dock, and this is described in the docs. A longer passive USB-3-over-USB-C cable will work with all laptops but won't support Thunderbolt-3 bandwidth (and the improved video capabilities), and a longer active Thunderbolt-3 cable will work with Thunderbolt-3 laptops but won't support USB-3-only laptops at all.
For Thunderbolt-2, you plug an Apple Thunderbolt-2-to-3 adapter into the dock, and then I think any proper Thunderbolt-2 cable will work. Unfortunately, only adapters with female Thunderbolt-2 exist, meaning the adapter must be plugged into the dock not the laptop, and the cable you use is Thunderbolt-2 not Thunderbolt-3 (these have different connectors). This makes it less convenient to swap in a Thunderbolt-3/USB-C laptop if the hub is under the table like mine.
The manual mentions the hub actually supports even older USB-A laptops to provide Ethernet and audio, but not video, via a USB-C-to-A cable from the "computer" port on the hub. So I was curious if it would provide Ethernet to my iPad via a USB-C-to-Lightning cable from the "computer" port. It didn't. It did fast charge the iPad though (or something close to that). I'm not sure why Ethernet didn't work since combining a Lightning-to-USB dongle with a USB-to-Ethernet dongle is generally a way to get Ethernet to an iPad. In any case the docs don't claim this will work, but it would be a neat little improvement to a hub that already has a bunch of neat little abilities. The docs do say Ethernet and video will work with a USB-C flavor iPad Pro.
The hub also has one USB-C (USB-3.2-Gen.2) "data" port for things like hard drives. Unfortunately (consistent with the documentation), this port doesn't provide power to charge a phone or tablet. This would be a useful improvement to fast-charge a device via USB-C while a computer is plugged into the "computer" port – or to support bus-powered USB-C peripherals. I also don't think this port supports Thunderbolt-3 hard drives or peripherals at all.
It also has three USB-A (USB-3.2-Gen.1) "data" ports. The one of these on the front is able to charge an iPhone relatively quickly (I believe the others have less or no power for charging).
| Brand | CalDigit |
|---|---|
| Series | USBC-PRODOCK-US07-SG |
| Item model number | USBCProDock-US07-SG |
| Item Weight | 2.3 pounds |
| Package Dimensions | 9.41 x 6.57 x 3.23 inches |
| Color | gray |
| Manufacturer | CalDigit |
| ASIN | B07VL675DT |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | September 24, 2019 |
