M1 Pro Macbook and dual monitor docks

May 17, 2022 1:53 PM

I'm having a hard time finding a USB-C hub with the following features:

• Supports two external monitors (1080p is fine) for a 2021 MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip, with extended desktop (not mirrored)
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 80w+ power delivery (the 2021 MBP comes with a 140w charger!)
• Four USB-A ports (mouse, keyboard, external microphone, external webcam)
• < $200 US

Can you help me figure out the right search terms for this?

I think original M1 chips couldn't handle dual extended desktops, and that makes it difficult to find things that are definitely compatible. But M1 Pro chips can!

This Cable Matters dock would work but is too expensive for my budget. I also do not need Thunderbolt 3 for anything -- I will not be attaching an external hard drive or anything else that requires high bandwidth.

I'm in the US.

posted by rouftop to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

Okay, so this doesn't really meet all of your requirements but it is inexpensive and I think it meets the most onerous of your needs, which is the power demand. Not many inexpensive docks will be able to supply that kind of power, but this one will: Kensington SD5200T (grab one from eBay for ~$85)

Now, you would have to grab some dongles for your dock.. but it can do dual display (with usb C to whatver adapter), has a giant power brick (85w), gigabit Ethernet, and can easily get a usb A hub for the other items you need for cheap as well. I've used it for about 1.5 years on Macs and PC's and it is completely flawless. The TB3 seems like it helps with throughput/reliability on the Ethernet port as well.

Built like a tank, but a very very strange product, like I'm not sure why it has TB3 AND such limited ports, but I have had no issue just tucking it away, augmenting it with a few cheap dongles, and getting rock solid performance for pretty cheap. Plus you can chain on TB stuff if you ever have need as well.

Might not be exactly what you're looking for, but I figured I'd bring it up since its quite obscure. After seeing your update 85w might not cut it for you, but we'll need to know which processor it has as well since the requirements are likely different for the M1 Pro vs Max
posted by boredoms at 2:20 PM on May 17, 2022

Response by poster: Should have mentioned, it's a 16" Macbook Pro. Apparently some docks only work with 14" Macs!
posted by rouftop at 2:20 PM on May 17, 2022

Best answer: Of course, after weeks of searching to no avail, right after I finally broke down and submitted my question I discover pretty much just what I want. Placed an order for it.
posted by rouftop at 3:17 PM on May 17, 2022 [1 favorite]