If you’re someone who needs to connect multiple devices to your computer, you might be wondering whether you need a dock or a hub. At first glance, these two devices may look pretty similar, but there’s one primary difference you’re going to want to know about before you make your decision.
A hub will expand the number of available ports in your computer, whereas a dock can expand as well as add more types of connections to your workstation. In this blog post, we will help you differentiate between a dock and a hub.
Let’s unpack this a little bit. Maybe you just got a brand new MacBook Air M1 machine, and after you plug in your charger, you’re left with one available port which is probably not enough connections for all the peripherals you want to connect. In this case, a hub is a great choice. The OWC Thunderbolt Hub, for example, will expand your connection capabilities by adding three thunderbolt ports in one USB port. You’ll also get 60 watts of power delivery to charge your Mac. Your devices will deliver the same compatibility as when they’re plugged directly into your computer. Now you’ll be able to charge your computer while you’re charging your phone while you’re powering a monitor while you’re connected to an external hard drive. Problem solved.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with a little bit more oomph, a dock is going to be the way to go. OWC has several options when it comes to docks ranging from the OWC Travel Dock, which is a bus-powered option great for people on the go, to our OWC Gemini, which is a Thunderbolt 3 dock and dual-drive RAID enclosure.
All of our dock solutions will bring unique connection types to all different kinds of use cases, whether you’re on the go or you’re in a studio. Ultimately, your decision will come down to power delivery, connection types, and the number of connections available. You’ll first want to evaluate your workstation’s capabilities, then check out all the devices you’d like to connect to your computer. From there, you can decide which dock or hub can facilitate these connection types, the number of connections, and the power delivery you need to maximize your setup.
If you want to learn more about our docks and hubs, you can check out our website. We have a range of options available to suit different needs. And if you’re still not sure whether you need a Thunderbolt 3 or a Thunderbolt 4 dock, we’ve got you covered. You can check out our video where we explain the differences between Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 so you can be super confident before you make your decision on which option is best for you.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between a dock and a hub is crucial when it comes to choosing the right device for your needs. We hope this blog post has helped you differentiate between the two and given you a better understanding of which one is right for you.