OWC5 Port Thunderbolt Hub - 60W Charging, (3) Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) Ports, (1) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Port, Dual Display suppor, Compatible with Macs and PC's

Although this product is called a "hub" I use it as a docking station to have a single cable connection to my MacBook for power in and data out. On its downstream side, it connects to my monitor and my Time Machine SSD, both via USB-C. It works great with my old 2018 Macbook Pro as well as my new MacBook Air M4. When using it with a Thunderbolt 4 SSD, I get identical read and write speeds with the drive connected to either the hub or directly to my laptop.Price is significantly lower than most Thunderbolt 4 hubs or docking stations.Other reviews complain about cables falling out, but I don't have that problem.Highly recommended!

I have had one of these for a year and another one purchased a week ago. Both have worked perfectly. In both cases, I used these more as docks and chargers than anything. If it works in your use case as a dock, it’s half the price to get those functions covered as the thunderbolt docks made by various companies (including OWC).USE CASE ONE: At one of my offices, I do not keep a computer but bring in either my MacBook Air M1 or my Dell XPS13. Both computers are great. At my desk, I have a 27 inch Dell 4k monitor, a stand for a laptop to the side (to also serve as second monitor), and this OWC Thunderbolt Doc. I take out which laptop I want to use for that day (one is better than other for certain things and vice versa). I plug it into this Thunderbolt Hub by one connection (the Thunderbolt 4 cable that comes with the OWC Hub). That one plug in charges laptop and connects it, of course, to all the things the hub is connected two. Those are:- TB out 1: connected to 27 4k monitor (works wonderfully), using Thunderbolt cable to display port input on monitor. I always get great resents going T4 to DP.- TB out 2: connect one of the other Thunderbolt ports (USB-C format) to a 10 outlet USB-A USB 3.1 hub. Into that I have plugged in connections to audio speakers, printer, Bluetooth dongle for mouse and MC Logitech Keyboard (fabulous keyboard), and my circle light for zoom calls, and my Logitech 922c 1080p camera.- TB out 3: connects to a TB3 cable that I use to connect external SSDs when I need one connected.I use the front facing USB-A port to connect flash drives or other temporary peripherals.This all works flawlessly, and has so for a year. Again, I open laptop, plug in one cable, and my computer is connected to, and driving, everything, and I’m ready to work with full monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other accessories. And, it’s worked every time.My TB Hub has not had the problem with the cables coming out to easily that some have commented on and I believe has fixed. This is all working so well and it’s a lot less money than a Thunderbolt Doc. But if you need the dock, I bet OWC’s i is a good one. Of course, Caldigjt makes a nice one.USE CASE TWO: In this case, I’m asking less of the hub. I use it to plug the same Dell XPS 13 noted above in at my other office. That changes computer and also connected by Thunderbolt cable to another Dell monitor which is 24 in 4k. Again, TB cable to display port in on the monitor. I have a receiver for a wireless mouse I like a lot plugged into one of the rear farting other TB ports on a dongle. Yeah, doesn’t need the bandwidth but does just what I need. That leavers a USB-C TB port out for connected an external SSD and an option USB-A port on front for whatever flash drive or other need some up. Again, I pull out my DellXPS13 and plug in one cable and it’s powered, charging, and connected to a 4k monitor and other things I use.These are great devices. They have worked well, no brainer type working well, every time.Very pleased with these devices..

The BAD:Why should I have to purchase a gripper for your hub...like sooo many others, the cable falls out at the slightest movement...if you can't fix that, at least include the fix via gripper. Trying to set it up, I was very frustrated to have it keep going offline. I ended up rigging it with one of the cord ties from the huge power brick and a screw to secure a nvme drive...ugly, but it seems to be holding. For good will and what it would cost them, they should include at least one!Now, it would be fantastic for cable mgmt if it was designed with the power and computer link on the back, and the 4 usable ports on the front (3 TB, 1 USB 3.2)...as it is, I'm struggling with placement.Beware the plastic on top... it scratches very easily.The GOOD:Other than that, it seems to work great...getting nearly the same speeds as when plugged into my M2 MB pro. I had no need for a dock, but was always plugging and replugging devicecs into my Mac...the additional ports will be nice. I like the light...has 3 settings - off, low, high. I leave it on, as if it's off, I've lost power, if it's white, I've lost connectivity, if it's blue...all is well:)Prior to, I was using 4k USB-C connected external monitor providing charging power to MB and using the other two TB ports for external 40g nvme enclosure and a T7 TimeMachine. Currently, I use the port that was connected to monitor to feed hub, then feed the monitor from there. That leaves me with a net gain of 2 TB and 1 3.2 port.Now, if I can just find a suitable mounting option.We'll see how it holds up.

I have three of these stacked on top of each other. They only offer 3 additional USB-C ports, and if you need more than that you're losing 1 of those so you can daisy chain another to it. So 3 of these still only gives me 7 USB-C ports total. It uses 1 from my Mac Mini, so really THREE of these only offer me a 6-port increase. So for the money you're only getting 2 extra Thunderbolt 4 ports per device. Why can't OWC (or anyone else) just offer one with 6 Thunderbolt ports?They've been reliable. The only problem I've had is that some SSD's require more power than these hubs can handle. SanDisk Professional SSDs will be VERY flaky attached to these due to not getting enough power. Other SanDisk SSDs seem fine.Would I get it again? I don't know. There are devices offering 6 ports now from unknown Chinese manufacturers, and while they wouldn't be as reliable as OWC, they're tempting due to only be 2x the price of this device