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Belkin demos Thunderbolt Express Dock at IDF

updated 03:00 pm EDT, Tue September 13, 2011

 

Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock packs Ethernet


Belkin used the added limelight of the Intel Developer Forum to show off a prototype of a Thunderbolt dock intended primarily for Mac owners. Just called the Thunderbolt Express Dock, it has much of the same expansion of Apple's Thunderbolt Display without the requisite screen. A single cable feeds out gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800, three USB ports, and another Thunderbolt port for adding more devices to a chain.

The clamshell-like design is likely intended to let the dock sit comfortably underneath an iMac or Apple display while fitting into the Mac design aesthetic.

Belkin didn't provide a price or a ship date for the Express Dock, although its simplicity could help speed up the dock's availability. [via DailyTech]


By Electronista Staff

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Intel, iMac, computers, peripherals, accessories, Belkin, Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt Display

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  1. kirsch

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 1999

    0
    09/13, 04:00pm | report spam | reply

    Looks good

    Not bad. One complaint: The position of the DC-IN port is terrible. Hope they move it out of the way before it gets released.


  1. prl99

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2009

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    09/13, 04:22pm | report spam | reply

    agree with kirsch

    The TB input cable comes out the back, not sure if it's a dedicated cable or if it just has a port on the back. (Looking at it closer, it appears the cable is routed through the back into the back of the black area; not sure if there's enough room for the large TB connector) Any power supply jack should be on the back as well. Referenced DailyTech article includes a shot from above that shows the rear cable but not enough to show how it's connected.


  1. Flying Meat

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jan 2007

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    09/13, 04:40pm | report spam | reply

    Not technically a dock.

    I'm just sayin'.


  1. gmsquires

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2009

    +1
    09/13, 05:31pm | report spam | reply

    a hub by any other name

    More a hub. Would be nice if it had esata port instead of all of those USB ports unless they were maybe USB 3.0


  1. chas_m

    Moderator

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +1
    09/13, 05:35pm | report spam | reply

    All RIGHT!

    It's about time a really useful tool like this came along for TB Mac owners (of which I am not yet one, but hopefully will be soon!). If the price is reasonable and they make the design change suggested by kirsche (be sure to write them and let them know your thoughts, guys -- they probably don't read comments on Mac news sites looking for suggestions), I'm in.


  1. OkieDoc

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    09/14, 06:21am | report spam | reply

    font-size:19px

    Define "dock" I usually think of a dock as something I connect my laptop to that then replicates the full desktop experience. This DOCK would do it (minus the power connection, of course) I connect my USB peripherals, wired Ethernet, ad monitor to it. I connect my MacBook Air via thunderbolt. Simple. I DO wish the thing had an eSata port, and that the USB ports were 3.0, though


  1. demani

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2005

    0
    09/20, 09:47pm | report spam | reply

    This is the back

    It seems pretty likely that it is the back end of a wedge that would support a laptop, raising it up. So DC makes sense, and that TB cable is likely integrated. Front is probably clean, with all cables coming out the back. Very much interested in this.


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