Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma review: Who says your docking station needs to be boring?

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Source: Windows Central

Thunderbolt 4 is a relatively new technology, and nosotros're just starting to see PC accessories — like docking stations — catch up. Razer was ane of the first to spring on the trend with the Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma, and in true Razer fashion information technology has included customizable RGB underglow lighting to go with the black terminate. It has nine ports, ten if you include the host hookup, and passthrough charging with up to 90W of ability. I've been using it for a few weeks to see how well it works and whether or not it'south worth the price.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma

Bottom line: Razer's Thunderbolt iv Dock Chroma is a powerful, modern docking station. The all-metallic blueprint is fetching, and its underglow RGB lighting adds a ton of style. If yous need a dock to match your gaming accessories or but want something that doesn't look similar it belongs in an office, this is the manner to go.

Pros

9 downstream ports
Got to beloved Blush RGB
Up to 90W host charging power
Solid all-aluminum build
Splendid operation

Cons

Shorter warranty than competition
No DP or HDMI
No lock slot

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Blush: Price, availability, and specs

Razer'due south Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is bachelor only from the official Razer website. It costs about $330 and at the time of writing it is out of stock due to high demand. Yous tin, however, sign upwardly for notifications in order to get first fissure at fresh supply.

This is a Thunderbolt 4 dock, merely cheers to the latest applied science's compatibility you tin utilise information technology with Thunderbolt iii or USB4 if at a lower operation level. Check out our guide on Thunderbolt four vs. Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB4 vs. USB 3 for a deeper dig into how these technologies differ. For this review I'm testing using a Thunderbolt four port on a Windows x laptop. The dock is besides compatible with modernistic Mac systems.

Following are the specs that make upwards the docking station.

Category	Spec
Connection	Thunderbolt four Detachable 2.62 feet (0.8m)
Ports	Thunderbolt 4 (Host) Three Thunderbolt 4 Iii USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) Ethernet SD card reader (UHS-2) 3.5mm sound
Power	Up to 90W to host
Max display res.	Dual 4K @ 60Hz Unmarried 8K @ 30Hz
Dimensions	vii.48 x ii.93 x 1.06 inches (190mm x 74.5mm x 27mm)
Weight	0.75 pounds (338g)
Color	Black
Material	Aluminum
Warranty	I year

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Blush: What I like

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Source: Windows Key

About of the total-size Thunderbolt 4 docks are following a similar port layout and design, with silver aluminum shell and plastic facing that surrounds the ports. Razer goes with a different pattern. It might have a port selection similar to some of the other best Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docking stations, just it's built entirely from aluminum, even on the sides. The black cease looks abrupt, and it should fit in well with those who accept gone with a dark theme for their desktop setup. If you take a Razer Bract Pro 17, for instance, it's the same end.

The all-metal construction and RGB lighting puts Razer's Thunderbolt iv dock well ahead of the competition in terms of pattern appeal.

There's a Razer logo printed on the top of the dock, but information technology's non then conspicuous as to stand up out against the balance of the stop. You'll run into information technology when the lite hits it right, simply otherwise information technology remains mostly hidden. The bottom of the dock is covered with a rubberized pad that completely prevents it from slipping around on a desk-bound. Information technology's a quality culling to four small feet that sometimes fall off or don't grip plenty.

Also on the bottom of the dock is an LED strip for Razer's Chroma RGB. Information technology runs around the sides and front of the chassis, capable of emitting the usual 16.8 meg colors. The lighting is customizable through Razer'due south Synapse software, assuasive you to go all-out with bright rotating rainbow colour schemes or a less intense uniform colour that makes your desk easier to see in the dark. By default the colors rotate without much effect.

The lighting system is easy to manage and volition sync with your other Blush hardware. Just plug in the dock, run the software (it automatically prompts you to download and install) on the host PC, and you're prepare to go. The lighting is completely optional, so if you'd like to use the dock in a more professional person setting you can go out it turned off. You can also adjust brightness. Within the Synapse software is volume command for devices continued to the dock in case y'all'd rather not use Windows settings.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Source: Windows Central

The front of the dock has a 3.5mm audio combo jack for headsets with sound and phonation, a host Thunderbolt 4 port, and a UHS-II SD card reader. Testing reader speeds, I saw 230MB/s read and 160MB/s write with a UHS-2 carte. The back of the dock has three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB-A three.2 (Gen 2) with 10Gbps speeds, and a barrel charging port for the 135W AC adapter. With these ports y'all're looking at dual 4K external displays with 60Hz refresh charge per unit each, or up to an 8K display with a 30Hz refresh charge per unit.

I was able to connect a webcam, keyboard, and mouse with the USB-A ports, and I took advantage of the SD menu reader for transferring photos. No bug connecting a single 4K display using Thunderbolt four, though I did have to use an adapter since my monitor doesn't have a USB-C port for a straight connectedness. More on that later. I didn't encounter whatsoever performance issues in my use instance; the dock connected immediately and operated smoothly every time I sat down to piece of work.

The host PC receives upward to 90W power thanks to passthrough charging and a beefy 135W AC adapter. The wattage overhead allows the USB-A ports to besides charge connected accessories, like phone or tablet. I measured between vii.5W and 13W ability from each USB-A port, which is enough to proceed many rechargeable devices topped up. Annotation that the host cable is removable, allowing you lot to simply supersede it instead of the entire dock if damage occurs.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma: What I don't like

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Source: Windows Key

Razer's Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is one of the best docks I've used, merely it's not without some snags to consider before making a purchase. First, note that the host port is on the front end of the dock. This seems to be the trend for the major Thunderbolt 4 docks, though, and so information technology's not going to brand or break the purchase. Information technology'southward just non as easy to hide your cablevision.

There are no HDMI or DisplayPorts hither either, so if you're connecting a brandish without a USB-C port (which can be used to go directly TB4 to USB-C) y'all will need to add an extra adapter or two. On a dock that costs as much as it does this is a bit of a letdown. This is, however, also truthful for the rest of the almost pop docks.

Next is the lack of lock slots, especially important for role use. This dock isn't exactly meant for a professional workspace anyway, but it'due south withal something to note. Razer offers a one-year warranty on the dock, which is less than the two- or iii-year warranties offered past some of the competition.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma: Contest

Caldigit Element Hub Review Source: Windows Central

Thunderbolt 4 is nonetheless a relatively new applied science, just there are a few main competitors to the Razer Thunderbolt iv Dock Chroma. Our all-time Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docking stations article has more data, only here'southward a quick rundown.

Kensington's SD5700T has the same general port selection, albeit with an extra USB-A ii.0 port on the front. Information technology has ii Kensington lock slots on the side, similar display support, and upwardly to 90W charging back to the host. It costs about the same toll as Razer'due south dock. Equally for design, information technology has a more than traditional look with metal chassis and plastic facing surrounding the ports. It comes with a three-year warranty.

Razer's Thunderbolt four Dock Chroma certainly is the best looking out of the chief competitors.

OWC besides makes a Thunderbolt iv dock that's quite similar to the Kensington model. Same ports, same lock slots, and a plastic and metallic blueprint. It does, withal, have a shorter 2-twelvemonth warranty. The big difference here is that it costs somewhere around $250.

CalDigit's Element Hub is the well-nigh affordable option here, but it'due south not exactly a full-size dock. It adds three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and four USB-A iii.2 (Gen 2) ports and nothing else, making information technology better for those who need accessory and display connectivity and not much else. It's practiced enough to have received a Windows Central Recommended Award.

If yous're looking to spend less on a dock that'll work with your Thunderbolt 3 device, bank check out our collection of the best Thunderbolt 3 docks. There are plenty more options here, most far cheaper than Thunderbolt 4 hardware.

Razer Thunderbolt four Dock Chroma: Should yous buy it?

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Source: Windows Central

You lot should buy this if ...

You take a PC with Thunderbolt 4
Yous need a full-size docking station
You tin't e'er take plenty RGB
You can spend more than $300 on a docking station

You shouldn't purchase this if ...

You don't plan on upgrading to Thunderbolt four anytime soon
You need native HDMI and DisplayPort output
You want a docking station that will fit into a professional surround

Razer's Thunderbolt iv Dock Chroma doesn't look like the other docking stations currently on the market, and that's a good thing. Its black end, underglow RGB lighting, and all-metal design sets it autonomously and makes it perfect for those who don't want a dock that looks like it should be in an part. The one-year warranty is shorter than the competition, information technology lacks native HDMI or DisplayPort, and it costs top dollar, just it's nevertheless ane of the best options out there today.

Setup is every bit piece of cake equally possible, with supporting software downloading and installing automatically. I saw no operation problems using the dock for all work needs for a few weeks, and I was able to connect everything I needed with the x full ports. Definitely give this ane a look if you take the budget and need to add ports to your Thunderbolt 4 PC.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Razer Thunderbolt iv Dock Chroma

With 10 total ports (i for the host), all-metal design, black finish, and RGB lighting, Razer'due south Thunderbolt four Dock Chroma is one of the all-time docking stations bachelor today.

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