The new Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station with DisplayLink connects even base MacBook laptops to up to four external monitors at once.
Satechi’s new Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station connects to external monitors via two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two HDMI ones. You can connect four external monitors at 4K/60Hz each or one external display at 8K/60Hz.
Other features include 96W Power Delivery charging (enough to charge the 16-inch MacBook Pro), a reader for SD memory cards, legacy USB ports, and more. You can purchase this hub through the Satechi website or Amazon for $300.
The new Satechi dock uses DisplayLink software
Base M1, M2 and M3 chips are restricted to a single external display. For example, the M1, M2 and M3 MacBook Air models are limited to one external 6K/60Hz display.
While the latest M3 MacBook Air can drive a second external display up to 5K/60Hz, this is only possible with the lid closed. Support for multiple external displays is available on pricier configurations powered by the Pro, Max and Ultra chips.
Satechi’s dock overcomes these limitations with the DisplayLink software. DisplayLink is embedded into other USB-C docks like this Plugable docking station that connects to two 4K displays at once.
How DisplayLink magic works
We previously explained how DisplayLink works. In a nutshell, your Mac sends the compressed frame buffer via Thunderbolt to the hub, which then decompresses it and outputs the video signal via a supported port.
Satechi’s dock leverages DisplayLink for the HDMI ports, allowing the M3 MacBook Air to drive four external displays in clamshell mode (with the lid closed).
M1, M2 and M3 MacBook Pros can use three simultaneous external displays through this dock. Mac configurations powered by the more powerful Apple silicon Pro and Max chips can drive up to four external displays with this docking station.
On the downside, DisplayLink introduces overhead. As a result, you may see skipped frames or a reduced frame rate when using demanding video applications.
USB ports, memory cards, etc.
Like all Apple accessories made by Satechi, this docking station has a nice space grey finish that will complement your Apple aesthetics.
The accessory connects to a Mac’s Thunderbolt port via a single 0.8m cable (included in the box). The same cable also provides up to 96 watts of charging power for your laptop. The Thunderbolt 4 ports support data transfer speeds of up to 40Gb/s, with 32Gb/s native PCIe support for external GPUs and Thunderbolt storage (you can daisy-chain up to 6 devices).
These ports also provide 15W of power to charge devices like your iPhone or Apple Watch (keep in mind you can only use one of these ports at a time for charging).
For legacy devices, you get two USB-A ports that max out at 10Gb/s. Last but not least, the docking station includes a UHS-II SD (4.0) card reader with up to 312MB/s data transfer speeds and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
All the ports you get with Satechi’s docking station
Here are all the ports:
- 1x Thunderbolt 4 to host
- 1x 3.5mm audio port in/out
- 1x SD UHS-II card slot (4.0) up 312MB/s
- 2x USB-A 3.2 up to 10Gbps
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports (40Gbps, 15W PD, 8K/30Hz on Windows and 6K/60Hz on Mac)
- 2x HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz via DisplayLink software)
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet (1000MBps)
- 1x Power port (DC/21V, 180W power supply included)
Pricing and availability
The Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station is priced at $300 and can be purchased from Satechi’s Amazon store or the Satechi web store.
Rest assured, the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi-Display Docking Station is compatible with various operating systems and computers that support USB4, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 4 interface, including Windows and Chromebook laptops. Its universal compatibility ensures a seamless integration with your devices.
Recent Satechi launches
If you’re a MacBook Air owner who feels this docking station might be a little too much for your needs, consider Satechi’s USB-C Multiport 8K adapter. It sports 85W passthrough charging, enhances your display options and provides multiple USB ports, making it a more compact and cost-effective alternative.
Satechi also recently released new 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 wireless chargers with MagSafe and Qi2 support it unveiled at CES 2024, seen above.