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Kanex Docking Station for iPad Pro review


REVIEW – Over the years as the iPad has evolved, it has become a competent tool for many professionals in various industries. As a photographer and videographer, I now use my iPad for much of my editing. I also use it for daily routine tasks. The ability to add ports and thus additional functionality is very necessary. Recently, several companies have introduced docking stations for the iPad. the Kanex Docking Station for the iPad Pro is one of the newest additions. Let’s see how it works!!

What is it?

The Kanex Docking Station for the iPad Pro is a USB-C plug and play docking station that adds external ports to the iPad Pro for additional functionality and connectivity.

What’s in the box


1 x Kanex Docking Station 6-in-1 Multiport USB-C Docking Station for iPad Pro® 11-in. and 12.9-in. (3rd gen)

Design and features

Specifications
Ports:
USB-C Female: USB-C 3.1 (Gen 1) – 3.0 data and PD 3.0 charging (60W)
USB 3.0: Type-A port delivers up to 5Gbps transfer speeds
SD/MicroSD: Supports up to 2TB SD and MicroSD cards
HDMI: 2K/60Hz on iPad Pro; 4K/30Hz on MacBooks
Supported Systems: Windows 10, Google Chrome OS, macOS Mohave, and above, IOS

As shown in the photo below, the device has several ports. From left to right they are the headphone jack, the USB-C charging port, the micro SD and SD slots, the HDMI port and above the ports, there is a speaker grille.

On the side of the device, there is a USB 3.0 port.

The Docking Station also comes with a magnetic insert that can be removed to fit some of the thicker cases.

Performance

Using the dock is very simple. It is plug and play. Since it is primarily designed for the iPad Pro, I spent most of my time testing it on my 3rd Gen iPad Pro 12.9″ (2018). I first tested it with my iPad without any case on it. In terms of function, the photo app sees the media as expected and the HDMI option to an external monitor works as expected. The USB-C Power Delivery port also allows you to connect your power supply to keep charging the iPad.
Here are some pictures of the dock on my bare iPad:



The major issue for me was that once my iPad was installed into my Zagg Slim Book Keyboard Case, the Kanex Dock did not fit even with the insert removed. And, because of the right angle USB-C connector on the dock, it was also unable to be plugged in with my case installed.

Windows 10:
This dock works very well with my Windows 10 Asus Zendesk Laptop. It is immediately recognized and all 0f the ports work including the HDMI port for a second display. Note: The USB-C port works for connectivity but not for power delivery since the USB-C port on my laptop is not a PD port.

MAC OS:
This dock also works very well with my MacBook Pro. It is immediately recognized and all 0f the ports work including the HDMI port for a second display and the USB-C PD port.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The included ports
  • The USB-C Power Delivery port
  • It also works with Windows 10 and MAC

What I’d change

  • The clip-on capability so that it can expand to accommodate a larger variety of iPad cases
  • Better design of the USB-C connector to accommodate larger cases. (Maybe include an extension?)

Final thoughts

The Kanex Docking Station for the iPad Pro is a small and compact device that fits the Ipad pro perfectly if it is being used without a case, and I do suspect that it will also fit some of the thinner cases. It works well as a dock for multiple Operating Systems much like many of the USB-C standard docks that I have tested. I say standard because some docks are built with 2 USB-C ports side by side and are specifically designed for the MacBook Pro. This dock is light and easy to travel with as a part of your daily gear, but its inability to clamp on to a larger variety of cases and the right-angle USB-C plug limit how it can be used. This is another device that I think is going to require some additional thought prior to purchasing it and the decision should include considerations of versatility versus cost.

Price: $99.95
Where to buy: The Kanex website
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kanex.

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Kanex Docking Station for iPad Pro review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 17, 2019 at 9:06 am.

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Kensington Thunderport 3 Nano Dock review

REVIEW – My daughter is heading off to college this fall, and like every other college student, she needs a laptop.  We bought her a new MacBook Pro, and while these are nice machines, they don’t exactly have an over-abundance of ports.  In fact, the 13-inch ones have exactly two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, one of which is used for charging.  Where is she going to get the extra ports that she needs for a monitor, a headset, a backup drive, and so on?  She’s going to get them from Kensington’s brand new Thunderport 3 Nano Dock.

What is it?

The full name for this dock is the Kensington SD2400T Thunderbolt 3 Dual 4k Nano Dock with Power Delivery.  That’s a mouthful, but that’s because this little gadget packs a lot of capability into a small space.  It allows a laptop to have all the ports of a desktop when back in the dorm room or at the office.

What’s in the box?

  • The dock
  • Power brick
  • Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable
  • A quick start guide with 7 pages of images

There are no actual instructions on how to setup or use the dock, but it doesn’t really any.  Everything (except for one minor detail that I learned) is pretty straightforward.

Hardware specs

The Nano Dock connects to the host computer via Thunderbolt 3 (that’s the underlying connectivity standard) using USB-C (that’s the connector type).  It works with both Windows and macOS computers.  Make sure that you’re connecting the Nano Dock to a Thunderbolt 3, because this is how you get the blistering 40 Gbs throughput.

The front of the Nano Dock has three ports.  The 3.5 mm audio is for headphones.  The USB-C port is data only—this means you can’t use it to power a monitor—so it’s for things like plugging in an external hard drive for a data backup.  The USB 3.1 port is handy for charging a phone or a tablet or connecting a thumb drive.

The right side of the Nano Dock has a power button.

The majority of the ports are on the back of this gadget.  The gigabit ethernet port is for a 1 Gbps wired networking connection.  There are two more USB 3.1 ports.  The two full-sized display ports support either dual 4k monitors (4096×2160 @ 60 Hz) or a single 5k monitor (5120×2880 @ 60 Hz).   There’s also a place to plug-in the power supply and the Thunderbolt 3 connector for connecting to the host computer.

The left side has a pair of Kensington security slots for securing the Nano Dock via a cable lock.  Both the K65020 MicroSaver 2.0 or the K64444/K6445 NanoSaver Keyed Laptop Locks will work, but neither are included.  These can be purchased online directly from Kensington or from third parties like Newegg or Amazon.

The bottom of the Nano Dock has the holes for mounting to any 75mm or 100mm VESA compatible external display.  This allows you to mount the dock on the back of your monitor, thus reducing the clutter on your desk.  You’ll need to purchase a docking station mount, as it’s not included.

Design and features

The dock has some beautiful aesthetics.  It’s sleek and compact and has a minimalistic look to it, somewhat reminiscent of an AppleTV.  In fact, it has nearly identical dimensions at 4×4 inches and 1.5 inches high.  It’s made from plastic, but it has a solid, sturdy feel to it.

Installation and setup

Installation is super simple.  Plug in the power brick and then connect the included USB-C cable to the host computer.

Performance

I tested Kensington’s dock on two different computers.  The first was a 2018 Mac mini, and the second was a brand new 2019 13-inch MacBook Pro.  The Mac mini already has several ports (4 x Thunderbolt 3, ethernet, HDMI, 2 x USB, and audio), but you can never have too many ports.  The MacBook Pro is probably closer to the target audience, as it only has a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports.

For my first test, I used the Nano Dock with the Mac mini, and I named my test strategy “everything and the kitchen sink.”  I connected the dock to the mini and then connected as many things as possible to the dock to see if it could handle them.  Here’s what I connected to the dock:

  • A pair of 27-inch UltraSharp Dell monitors
  • An Apple keyboard
  • A SteelSeries Rival mouse
  • Ethernet
  • External SanDisk SSD (connected to Time Machine)
  • A Logitech web cam
  • HyperX headphones with mic

As you can see, I used every port.

I didn’t have to install any new drivers to use the dock.  After I turned off WiFi, macOS automatically re-configured itself to use the Ethernet connection via the Thunderbolt port.  The only configuration that I had to do was choose the new input and output sources for the headphones, which was called Realtek USB2.0 Audio.

And the result?  Everything worked, and it all worked at the same time.  I backed up with TimeMachine, watched YouTube videos, and used my camera with FaceTime.  It ran both monitors and allowed me to seamlessly move applications from the primary to secondary monitor.  The Nano Dock never broke a sweat.  When I put my hand on top, it wasn’t even warm.  I’m not sure that my test could have gone any better.

The only thing that I could have done to better stress the dock would have been to use a pair of 4k monitors.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any 4k monitors, so the closest I could get was a pair of 27-inch UltraSharp monitors from Dell running at 2560×1440 resolution.

For my second test, I used the Nano Dock with my daughter’s brand new MacBook Pro, and I named this test strategy “exactly what she needs.”  I connected the dock to the laptop and then connected the things that my daughter will be taking to college with her.

For this test, here’s what I connected to the dock:

I learned something new during this test:  The 2 USB ports on the back of the dock will not charge a mobile device; only the USB port on the front will do that.  After moving the white cable that connects my daughter’s iPad to the front, the Nano Dock passed this test with flying colors.  The monitor worked great, the SSD was available to copy files, and the iPad charged.  Perfect.

What I like

  • Beautiful design and solid construction
  • Wide array of the most useful ports
  • Capable of using everything at once

What I’d change

  • Not a thing

Final thoughts

Try as I might, I can’t find anything about this dock about which to be unhappy.  It looks good and works well.  If you have a computer with a Thunderbolt 3 port, and if you’re looking for a dock to give you some extra ports, then Kensington’s Nano Dock should definitely be on your short list.  Now I just need to pick up one more of these to use with the new MacBook Pro I’m getting at work.

Price: $291
Where to buy:  Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kensington.

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Kensington Thunderport 3 Nano Dock review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 26, 2019 at 10:31 am.

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moshi Symbus Q USB-C docking station with wireless charger review

REVIEW – Laptop + large monitor = a boost in productivity. But how do you connect your laptop to your monitor? When you have a 12inch MacBook like I do, you have to have a USB-C dock like the moshi Symbus Q USB-C docking station with wireless charger. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The moshi Symbus Q USB-C docking station with wireless charger is a USB-C dock that has an HDMI port that supports 4K, 2 USB ports, an Ethernet port, and fast wireless charging.

Hardware specs

Qi-certified wireless charging – supports Apple 7.5 W and Samsung 9 W wireless fast charging
Charges through cases up to 5 mm thick
HDMI port for adding an external display (4K@30Hz, 1080p@60Hz)
Gigabit Ethernet port for wired data transfer up to 1000 Mbps
2 USB-A ports for connecting a keyboard, mouse, or hard drive with data transfer at rates up to 5 Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
High-speed USB port for charging your smartphone or tablet (2.1A)
Full USB PD function for fast-charging USB-C laptops (up to 60 W)

What’s in the box?

  • Symbus Q docking station
  • Power cord
  • AC adapter

Design and features

In the most basic sense, the moshi Symbus Q is a rectangular device with a 19.5 inch USB-C cable that comes out the back side.

The top of the dock has a woven cover with a geometric design that is made of raised rubber ridges that help to keep a device from sliding around when using the wireless charging feature.

The sides of the dock are made of what I think is brushed aluminum and the base is black plastic.

The front of the dock has a status LED on the left side that glows green while the dock is being used as an HDMI adapter between your laptop and a display. The status LED glows in red while throbs in green while the Qi wireless charging feature is being used and will blink red if you place a non-Qi compatible device on top.

The back of the moshi Symbus Q has an Ethernet port, a 4K HDMI port, and the power port.

To test the functionality of this docking station, I tested it with my 12-inch MacBook and BenQ monitor. If you are familiar with the 12 inch MacBook, you’ll know that it has only 1 port, a USB-C port. That’s it. So the Symbus Q offers a lot of functionality by plugging directly into the MacBook’s USB-C port. Then I connect an HDMI cable (not included) from the dock to the monitor.

I had no issues using HDMI connectivity with this dock and my MB. It worked great. The dock supports 4K so I also tested with a 4K monitor and had no issues there either.

The wireless charging feature worked fine as well. I currently only have one device that I could test this feature though… a Sony Xperia XZ2.

I also tested the USB ports on the front of the dock and they both worked as expected.

One thing that I didn’t test was the Ethernet port. I don’t use a wired network in my office, so I had no good way to test the functionality of that feature.

The features that I was able to test all performed flawlessly. However, I did discover one bummer…

The snazzy padded cover over the wireless charging surface is just stuck on the top with a ring of adhesive that isn’t sticking all that well as you can see from the image above.

What I like

  • 4K docking station with a built-in Qi charger
  • Attractive design

What needs to be improved

  • Padded top is attached with adhesive

Final thoughts

I like the features and the look of the moshi Symbus Q USB-C docking station but the problem with the padded cover not sticking securely in place is a little worrisome especially when you factor in the $164.95 price tag. I’d rather just buy their $59 USB-C hub and their $40 Otto wireless charging pad and save $65.

Price: $164.95
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by moshi.

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moshi Symbus Q USB-C docking station with wireless charger review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 29, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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OWC USB-C Travel Dock review

REVIEW – Multitaskers are the road warrior’s best friend, and that’s what the USB-C Travel Dock by OWC offers. It’s a single device that includes an assortment of ports for your charging and peripheral needs! Leave the extra gizmos and doodads at home… but stay for the review!

What is it?

It’s a USB-C travel dock with a USB-C port, 2 USB ports, an HDMI port, and an SD Card Reader.

Hardware specs

  • 1 USB-C Port, fully compatible with all Thunderbolt 3 equipped Macs and PCs
  • 2 USB 3.1 (Standard-A) Ports
  • USH-II SD Card Reader
  • HDMI 2.0 Port
  • Supports 4K display resolution – up to 4096 x 2160 at 30Hz

What’s in the box?

The dock, and nothing but the dock.

Design and features

The Travel Dock is a 3.2″ by 3.2″ by 0.7″ block that weighs in at a mere 3.2 ounces, perfect for tossing in just about any pocket in your bag. You can get it in a choice from four finishes to match your MacBook (Gold, Silver, Space Grey, or Rose Gold). It looks and feels like a natural accessory. While it’s a bit chunkier than some other USB-C adaptors on the market, there’s actually a lot of subtle and very functional usability built into the design.

For starters, it’s got a dedicated 9″ UBC-C cable, which is great for uncramping the immediate space around your laptop. The 3-sided port setup also helps with managing your chords because you’re not fighting to plug a bunch of stuff into a small space. There’s plenty of room to work.

Once you’re plugged in, a blue indicator light shows you that you’re drawing power:

The USB-C port is on the opposite face from the dedicated plug, which allows your power cable to keep running without interfering with the other ports. You can plug your power into this port, and the pass-through feature enables you to take full advantage of integration with the rest of your devices. You can charge your laptop, your accessories, and link your iPhone or iPad to the MacBook at the same time:

One face has a standard USB port and an HDMI port. This faces towards the back of the unit when plugged into the left side of your laptop, which is handy if you have a permanent location for your monitor or are trying to hook up to a projector in a conference room:

The other face has a second USB port and an SD Card Reader, which faces the front if you’re plugged in on the left-hand side. That extra USB port is lovely when you’re trying to charge multiple items at once:

The base also has some soft tabs on the corners to keep it from scratching your desk, which is a nice touch:

As someone who doesn’t have a permanent desk these days, I’m loving the convenience that a single dock offers. I can tap into whatever power and video sources are available in any conference room or hoteling station at work, and still have ports to spare to charge my iPhone and iPad (or other USB-compatible peripherals) as needed. The roomy dock also means less fumbling when you’re trying to plug things in, a plus over some of the more compact adaptor solutions.

As an added bonus, you can plug the dedicated USB-C cable into your MacBook power brick and use the dock as a dedicated charging station. Not only is that great for when you crash in a hotel room, but that means less stuff to manage when traveling. I’ve been running with the MacBook power brick and USB-C cable and two extra USB cables for charging stuff, leaving the other assorted power bricks at home. It’s ideal for the minimalist traveler.

What I like

  • 9″ dedicated USB-C cable uncramps your workspace
  • Well-spaced ports make for easier management of cables
  • Also works as a dedicated charging station with your MacBook power brick

What needs to be improved

  • None to be found

Final thoughts

I’m really liking the OWC USB-C Travel Dock as a do-it-all accessory. It’s well designed, well built, and has some nice design features that make it easy to manipulate while giving you some extra room to work with. Some may prefer the more compact adaptors, but I like the added features an extra USB port for all the gadgets I typically carry. It looks great and comes at a great price, too.

Price: $39.00
Where to buy: Go to the product page on the OWC web site.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by OWC.

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OWC USB-C Travel Dock review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 15, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock review


REVIEW – As technology evolves, newer and better connectivity options are continuously emerging. One of the relatively recent additions is the USB-C connection, with many devices like the MacBook pioneering this option. As a result, I have been testing a few USB-C docks for performance, flexibility, and connectivity. The Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock is another addition to the USB-C dock/expansion devices. Here is my experience with it.

What is it?

The Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock is an expansion dock that provides multiple and various ports and connectivity via one USB-C connection. It is USB port powered and also includes a USB-C pass-through power delivery port.

What’s in the box


1 x USB-C Dock
1 x Instruction Manual

Design and features

This USB-C hub is compact in size measuring just 5″ x 3″ x 1/2″. It has a built-in USB-C cable that tucks into the side. On one side of the hub, as shown in the picture below, from left to right, there is a VGA port, an HDMI port, and an ethernet port.


On the opposite side from left to right, there are 2 USB 3.1 ports and a USB-C pass-through power delivery port. As you can see below, I have a USB mouse dongle connected to one of the USB ports. The second picture below shows the USB dongle and the USB-C charger connected.


Below is a picture of the HDMI cable for the external monitor connected to the USB.


The next picture below shows the hub connected to my MacBook and the connection to the external monitor via the HDMI cable. It also shows the wireless mouse that I use. The second picture below shows the same with the USB-C adapter connected.



Next, you can see the MacBook Pro and an external monitor attached to the USB-C hub.

Performance

This Kensington USB-C hub performs exactly as it is supposed to without any hiccups. There is not a whole lot to say about performance once the ports operate as designed, which they do. There is no lag with the attached external monitor nor with the mouse. All USB drives that I connected performed well. Unlike other similar hubs that I have tested, this one gets just slightly warm after hours of use, and not in any way that I deem to be significant.

What I like

  • Compact size and lightweight
  • Ports and versatility
  • Pass-through charging port

What can be improved

  • A design that does not restrict the width of the USB device that can be connected
  • The lack of a card reader/s.

Final thoughts

This Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock performs very well and fulfills the exact function it is designed for. For the price, I wish that it had some additional functionality like a multi-port card reader. Otherwise, it is a very lightweight, compact and portable dock that provides good expansion for my MacBook Pro that only has one type of built-in port which is the 2 USB-C  ports.

Price: $89.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kensington.

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Kensington SD 1600P USB-C Mobile Dock review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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