This 16-port dock belongs on every creative pro’s desk, and it’s $100 off right now

What is the Black Friday deal?

Satechi’s Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Professional dock is ideal for artistic professionals and is at present 29% off at Amazon, a financial savings of $102. 

Why this deal is ZDNET-recommended

One factor that each artistic skilled appears to be craving is extra ports. They need to package out their system with a plethora of ports to allow them to have a number of shows, SD and microSD card readers, Ethernet, and so many USB-A and USB-C ports that they will by no means must hot-swap a tool.

That is the place docks come into play, and Satechi makes among the greatest docks obtainable.

Additionally: The 75 greatest early Black Friday offers: Reside updates

A dock that I have been very keen to check is the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Professional. This dock has its personal energy provide and a wide selection of ports. It is also been designed with artistic professionals in thoughts.

What number of ports? 16 in all, that is what number of. 

ZDNET RECOMMENDS

Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Professional

A professional-grade 16-in-1 powerhouse providing a wealth of connection ports.

Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Professional Dock specs

• 2x DisplayPort
• 2x HDMI 2.1
• 1x Thunderbolt 4 to host
• 1x USB-C 3.2 10Gbps
• 5x USB-A 3.2 (3x 10Gbps, 2x 5Gbps)
• 1x USB 2.0 for charging as much as 7.5W
• SD and microSD card slots
• 3.5mm Audio Jack In/Out
• Ethernet 2.5Gbps
• Kensington Lock
• DC 20V major energy (included)
• Measurement: 195 x 105 x 47mm
• Weight: 693 grams 

I have been desirous to get my arms on this dock and take a look at it as a result of I come throughout a whole lot of these high-end docks that look good on paper, however fall quick if you push them exhausting.

I’ve seen docks that appear to work nicely if you take a look at the ports singly, however efficiency drops by the ground if you connect a number of gadgets to it.

Additionally: One of the best laptop computer docking stations to improve your work-from-home setup

For example, I’ve seen docks struggling community dropouts, show points, and machine disconnections after they’re pushed exhausting. I’ve even had some crash and require disconnection from energy to carry them again to life. 

Given the pro-grade claims made by Satechi, together with the pro-grade worth, I used to be eager to see how the Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Professional carried out below a heavy load.

It carried out flawlessly.

Additionally: Touring quickly? Take this 6-port charger with you

Here is a dock that works simply as nicely with one machine hooked up because it does with a dozen. I related screens, exterior drives, and dongles, all whereas pushing a whole lot of information by the Ethernet port, and it did not break a sweat.

And it may maintain this kind of workload for hours. 

This dock has the capability to run as much as 4 shows at 4K 60Hz. However simply because the dock can, doesn’t suggest you need to, as there are some caveats.

Now, that “as much as” is essential as a result of it does include limitations. Home windows PCs help as much as 4 screens in prolonged mode as a result of it has help for Multi-Stream Transport (MST). 

For Mac customers, issues are somewhat extra restricted. Macs that help Single Stream Transport (SST) can output video in prolonged mode to 2 screens and mirror the opposite two. M1 and M2 Macs solely help one exterior monitor, which means just one single video group can be utilized at a time with output to 1 display in prolonged mode and one display in mirror mode. 

Additionally: If ‘all the things however the kitchen sink’ was a laptop computer accent, this could be it

One other characteristic I like about this dock is that it sits properly on a desk. A variety of docks are light-weight, and whereas this itself is not an indication of poor high quality, I discover that upon getting a bunch of cables and gadgets hooked up, the dock now not sits on the desk. It is both levitating oddly, held up by the stiffness of the cables, or being dragged round.

This Satechi dock has a whole lot of gravity to it, and its 1.5 kilos of weight mixed with the rubber ft preserve it planted on the desk. I additionally like that its energy is equipped by an influence adapter quite than a mains twine as a result of mains cables might be thick and unyielding.

Additionally, having the ability provide separate retains the unit working cooler. This can be a bonus as a result of it not solely stops the dock from roasting your desktop but in addition helps forestall pointless thermal put on and tear and instabilities that overheating causes.

Additionally: This 3-in-1 MagSafe dock will cost your Apple gadgets whereas protecting them cool

At $350, the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Professional is a dock for professionals needing pro-grade {hardware}, and it is {hardware} that lives as much as that “professional” tag. Throughout Black Friday gross sales, you may decide up considered one of your individual for $248. Residence customers can get away with  the extra modest Satechi Slim Multiport Adapter (which can be 30% off, for a complete of $56) however for those who depend on your dock and wish one thing that is going to carry out reliably it doesn’t matter what you throw at it, that is the dock for you. 

The extra I take advantage of this dock, the extra I really feel that it belongs on each artistic skilled’s desk.

It truly is the dock of my goals.