Powerful easy to use dock provides many options for connecting devices.
Over the past few years, I’ve worked with many different docking stations. My main computer is a MacBook Pro and so I need a docking station to make it work with external devices. I’ve been working from home for about 18 months and so I need a dedicated workstation for that purpose. My workstation consists of my laptop, an ultra-wide monitor, a wireless keyboard and mouse, speakers, and a webcam. Because my MacBook Pro (2016 model) works off Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, I have utilized a dock in order to connect to those different devices. I recently found that the docking station I was using was malfunctioning and I was within about 30 minutes of an important meeting starting. Fortunately, I had the Kensington SD5600T docking station available to install.
DETAILS
This docking station is designed to work for ‘hot-desking’ and is universally compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C laptops running Windows or macOS. It is also compatible with Thunderbolt 4 laptops, but only with TB3 functionality. With that level of connectivity, data can be transferred at a rate of up to 40Gbps for compatible laptops using the 0.8m Thunderbolt 3 cable that is provided. The dock has the potential to connect two 4K @ 60Hz monitors through two DisplayPort ports. The dock also provides up to 100W of power delivery to laptops (as long as power delivery is supported on the laptop). This type of power delivery is ideal for laptops that have higher power requirements like newer MacBook Pros.
The SD5600T is a 15-port docking station. It includes one front USB-C Gen2 port (up to 10Gbps with 5V/1.5A charging), six USB-A ports (1 front Gen2@10Gbps front with 5V/1.5A charging, 5 rear Gen1@5Gbps, 5V/0.9A), one Gigabit Ethernet port, and one audio combo jack. The docking station has multiple mounting options including horizontal or vertical placements and there are built-in SD and Micro SD card readers on the front of the dock.
USER EXPERIENCE
The docking station came in a very nice retail-style package. The package has a colorful, outer sleeve that features several images of the docking station. The back has several features listed as well as a diagram that shows what is included in the box. When you open the box you will find the dock, its power cable and power supply, the Thunderbolt 3 cable, and some paperwork. Kensington designed this dock to operate with plug-n-play functionality. So, all you have to do is plug the devices you want to connect to into the dock and then plug the Thunderbolt 3 cable into the dock and connect to the computer.
As I mentioned above, I have a dedicated workstation for my day job. While I could work directly from a laptop, it’s much easier with an external monitor and other connected devices. I have listed the devices I actually use with my workstation. In order to use all these devices with my MacBook Pro, I plugged each of these devices into the dock first and then plugged the Thunderbolt 3 cable into the laptop.
- Monitor: Viotek GN34C Ultrawide QHD Curved Monitor
- Keyboard: Satechi Slim X3 Bluetooth Backlit Keyboard
- Mouse: Logitech MX Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse
- Microphone: Rode Podcaster Microphone
- Speakers: AudioEngine HD4 Speakers
- RGB Desk pad: Aukey RGB Extended Gaming Mouse Pad
- Webcam: Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam
I have not had any issues with connection to any of the devices since I started using the SD5600T. I even end up hot-swapping my laptops. I have two MacBook Pros (one 13-inch from 2016 and one 16-inch from 2020) that I use daily. One is for my day job and the other is used for personal tasks in the evening. I don’t have any issues with swapping them in and out whenever I want to use the connected devices.
CONCLUSION
The Kensington SD5600T Docking Station is a great option for creating a workstation. It gives you lots of options for connecting multiple devices and delivers a high-quality product into your workspace. I’ve been very impressed with how well the dock works and was thrilled that it got me out of a jam. The only ‘complaint’ I have is that the power supply is quite large I wish that a smaller option could be provided so that it’s easier for cable management purposes. Aside from that, the SD5600T is everything I want from a docking station.
For more information, visit Kensington.com, Facebook, and Twitter.