Sonnet has just announced its latest Thunderbolt 4-capable device – the Echo 5 Thunderbolt 4 Hub, which offers not only the obligatory up-link to the host computer, but also three additional Thunderbolt 4 ports plus a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) charging port.
If social networks are for connecting people (which I personally have my doubts about), docks and hubs are for connecting peripherals to a host computer.
In the case of the Sonnet Echo 5 Thunderbolt 4 Hub, we’re talking about a hub because it “only” offers additional Thunderbolt 4 ports and a single USB-A charging port. A dock would offer more options like an Ethernet port, audio I/O, maybe an SD card reader, and so on.
A nice advantage is that this new Sonnet hub is more compact –5.1 x 2.8 x 0.9 in. (12.9 x 7.2 x 2.16 cm)– than larger Dock solutions. So if you just need more Thunderbolt 4 ports to connect anything to your computer (hello 2020 M1 MacBook Pro users), this Thunderbolt 4 hub might be right for you.
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Sonnet Echo 5 Thunderbolt 4 Hub
From the outside, the thing actually looks very familiar, as I personally own an Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Hub that I use all the time, as – you guessed it – I also own a 2020 M1 MacBook Pro that comes with exactly two Thunderbolt ports, and that’s it.
Although it’s worth pointing out that the external power brick is huge, partly because it not only needs to deliver up to 85W to the host machine but also power all three additional Thunderbolt 4 ports plus the USB charging port.
The new Hub is compatible with any Mac sporting Thunderbolt 3 or 4 (Intel/M1/M1 Pro/M1 Max) and any Intel machine running Windows with a Thunderbolt 4 port as well as Thunderbolt-equipped Apple iPad Pro models.
Sonnet also claims that you can connect fast NVMe drives via the USB 3.2 Gen 2 port without sacrificing transfer rates.
Connecting an external display to your host machine depends on the capabilities of that machine: for example, my M1-powered MacBook Pro mentioned above supports only one external display, while the newer M1 Pro and M1 Max machines can drive two displays. So make sure to check your host machines specs.
And of course, since Thunderbolt is designed for daisy-chaining, you can use this feature on the Sonnet Echo 5 Thunderbolt 4 Hub, supporting up to 5 devices in total. A short Thunderbolt 4 cable is included so you can connect your host computer and be ready to go.
Personally, I’d prefer an integrated power supply, although that would obviously result in a bulkier device, but lugging around two units defeats the purpose of such a compact hub, in my opinion.
On another note, the only problem I sometimes have with my Anker PowerExpand is that it forgets about the connected Eizo 4K display when the MacBook wakes up from sleep mode. The only thing I can do is unplug it and plug it back in. I’m not sure if this is a problem with Apple or with Anker, though. Let’s hope Sonnet doesn’t have this problem.
Pricing
The Sonnet Echo 5 Thunderbolt 4 Hub is available now and it sells for $179.99. A 100W power supply and a short Thunderbolt 4 cable are included.
Link: Sonnet
What do you think? Do you use such Hubs and/or Docks? Share your experiences in the comments below!
