Kensington SD5700T review: A powerful Thunderbolt 4 docking solution built for the modern office
Source: Windows Primal
As Thunderbolt iv becomes a more common feature in modern laptops, docking stations need to keep upward. Kensington, a prominent manufacturer of PC accessories, was one of the commencement to offer a loftier-terminate Thunderbolt 4 solution for PCs with connectivity issues. Its 5700T is a lot like some of the other all-time Thunderbolt 4 docking stations, albeit with a long warranty period and some actress features that might sway you. I've been using the dock for a few weeks to meet exactly how well information technology performs and why you might want information technology as your next accessory.
Kensington SD5700T
Lesser line: Kensington'southward SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 docking station is platonic for the office thanks to a durable aluminum trounce, subclass mounting options for actress desk infinite, and two Kensington lock slots. Its 10 ports (11 with the host TB4 hookup) provide plenty of connectivity options for your accessories and displays, with support for upward to dual 4K at a 60Hz refresh rate. The included iii-year warranty is also appreciated.
Pro
- Three-year warranty
- Sturdy aluminum construction with lock slots
- Mounting accessories available
- 11 total ports (with host)
- Up to 90W charging ability
Cons
- No DP or HDMI
- Costs more than the competition
- Plastic faceplates
Kensington SD5700T: Price, availability, and specs
Source: Windows Central
Kensington supplied Windows Central with a review unit of the SD5700T docking station. It is readily available at many major online retailers with a price somewhere between $350–$400. That's more than a couple of competing docks from Razer and OWC, though the SD5700T does take some features that the others do non include.
At that place is also an SD5750T designed specifically for the latest Microsoft PCs with Thunderbolt 4, including the Surface Pro viii and the Surface Laptop Studio. The SD5750T appears to be the verbal same as the SD5700T in terms of capabilities; the divergence is that it is certified to piece of work with these Surface products.
Following are the SD5700T'southward specifications.
| Category | Kensington SD5700T |
|---|---|
| Bone | Windows 10 Windows 11 |
| Connexion | Thunderbolt 4 Detachable 2.vi feet (0.8m) cablevision |
| Ports | I USB-A ii.0 (5V/2.1A) Three USB-A 3.2 (Gen ii) Thunderbolt four (Host) 3 Thunderbolt 4 (Downstream) Ethernet 3.5mm sound SD card reader (UHS-II) |
| Power | Up to 90W to host |
| Max display res. | Dual 4K @ 60Hz Single 8K @ 30Hz |
| Color | Silver |
| Cloth | Aluminum |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Kensington SD5700T: What I like
Source: Windows Central
The Kensington SD5700T, like most Kensington docking stations, is made up of a solid clamper of aluminum. Here the ends have slotted grooves to help dissipate heat, though the dock never really got that hot during standard employ. Four grippy feet on the bottom help keep the dock in place on a desk.
Ii Kensington lock slots and subclass mounting options make the SD5700T an platonic Thunderbolt 4 dock for a public office where ample desk space isn't a luxury.
This is a dock that is meant to exist used sitting apartment on a desk-bound, although a vertical orientation might be possible with the right mounting bracket, some of which are available directly from Kensington. There are two mounting holes pre-drilled on the bottom of the dock for a quick setup. The SD5700T also has two Kensington lock slots (Standard and Nano) on i end, giving you some added peace-of-mind in a busy office space.
The best Thunderbolt four docking stations seem to all follow a similar port layout with 10 or 11 connections in total, including the host Thunderbolt 4 hookup. The SD5700T has on its front panel a UHS-2 SD card reader that maxes out my card's capabilities, a 3.5mm audio jack, the host TB4 port, and a unmarried USB-A 2.0 port with about 7.5W of available charging ability for continued accessories.
This extra USB-A 2.0 port for charging isn't found on the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma, another meridian option I reviewed. Because how many modern devices have moved away from USB-A for their chargers, you might demand an actress dongle. Even so, it's a nice add-on. The front of the dock also has power and link status LEDs next to a power button that you can use to turn the dock off when not in use.
Source: Windows Cardinal
On the rear edge of the dock are three downstream Thunderbolt iv ports that handle video out, speedy transfers, and even device charging. The dock tin can handle dual 4K displays at a 60Hz refresh rate each when connected to a compatible laptop. If yous're aiming for simply ane display, it tin can support upwardly to an 8K resolution at a 30Hz refresh rate. For transfers, speeds upwards to 40Gb/s via Thunderbolt 4 are standard.
Rounding out the ports on the back of the dock are Gigabit Ethernet and three USB-A three.2 (Gen 2) ports with about 4.5W of power bachelor for connected accessories. These might not charge your devices every bit rapidly as the USB-A port on the front, merely they do offer much faster transfer speeds for external difficult drives or USB sticks. The AC adapter plug also resides on the back of the dock. Yep, this hardware requires an external power source to operate, but it can deliver upwards to 90W of charging power to your laptop to keep it topped up while you're at piece of work.
Source: Windows Key
Setup is every bit like shooting fish in a barrel as possible. Just connect your Thunderbolt iv laptop to the dock and go to work. Kensington does offer its DockWorks software for free to assist with stability and performance, though it's not required. The 2.6-foot (0.8m) included TB4 host cable is also removable, meaning it won't chip the entire dock if it'due south damaged. Kensington tacks on a lengthy iii-yr warranty here to help with any problems, which beats out the ones you get from OWC and Razer.
Documentation for the SD5700T nevertheless only mentions Windows 10 compatibility, though the dock should work fine with Windows 11. This includes compatibility with snap layouts and snap groups. Keep in listen that the SD5750T designed specifically for the latest Surface products (which ship with Windows 11) also simply mentions Windows x in documentation. If you're looking at that model instead, information technology should also work fine with the latest Os.
Kensington SD5700T: What I don't like
Source: Windows Central
Similar other major Thunderbolt 4 docks, the host port for the SD5700T is on the front end. This does make it easier to apace connect your laptop, but those who prefer tight cable direction might take a harder fourth dimension hiding it away. The lack of HDMI and DisplayPort might have some scratching their heads, merely a dongle or two for your monitors without USB-C connectivity will piece of work fine. As mentioned, the other summit TB4 docks have the same basic port pick and layout.
One other thing that seems a fleck inexpensive on something this expensive is the utilize of plastic for the dock'southward faceplates. Razer's Thunderbolt iv Chroma dock has a solid metallic shroud that sits over the internal components, giving it a more than premium experience. The SD5700T's plastic just seems cheap and more prone to breaking over time.
Kensington SD5700T: Competition
Source: Windows Central
Our collection of the best Thunderbolt 4 hubs and docking stations includes a couple of docks that are worth mentioning here.
First is the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma that I've already referenced a couple of times already. Information technology'due south built well with a solid metallic shroud, has customizable RGB underglow lighting that tin can sync up with other accessories, and has the same full general specs with 90W power delivery and port selection. It does not have an extra USB-A port on the front like the SD5700T has, nor does its ane-year warranty friction match upwards. It too lacks mounting options and lock slots, making information technology meliorate for domicile employ where at that place's enough of desk space and no through traffic. However, you can expect to pay most $330 for this dock, making it cheaper than the SD5700T.
Another top option for anyone who doesn't quite need total docking capabilities is the CalDigit Element Hub. It's non quite portable due to the required AC adapter, merely it doesn't take up nearly as much infinite on your desk. It offers 3 downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports (plus one for the host hookup), as well as iv USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) ports with vii.5W of charging power each. Await to pay well-nigh $230 for this hub.
If you recently picked upward one of the new Surface PCs — similar the Surface Pro 8 or Surface Laptop Studio — chances are y'all're looking for some sort of docking station to better connectivity. In that case, Kensington'south SD5750T with Surface certification is also on the market. It offers the same high-stop performance as the 5700T, but documentation provides better back up now and into the future for those working with a new Surface PC. This dock is currently difficult to find for auction, though that could alter in the hereafter.
Kensington SD5700T: Should you purchase it?
Source: Windows Central
You should buy this if ...
- You take a laptop with Thunderbolt 4 port(s)
- You demand a lot of extra ports in a semi-permanent setup
- You lot need a docking station with mounting options and lock slots
You shouldn't purchase this if...
- You don't have a laptop with Thunderbolt 4 capabilities (check out the best Thunderbolt 3 docks instead)
- You want a docking station with RGB lighting
- Yous can't justify spending between $350 and $400 on a dock
Kensington'south SD5700T is a great Thunderbolt 4 dock that gave me no problems during regular apply. The pick of ports, though similar to competing TB4 docks, is plentiful, peculiarly with the actress USB-A port on the front for charging. You tin can easily hook upwards monitors, hard drives, and input accessories without using everything bachelor, and the UHS-2 SD carte du jour reader is a great addition to aid with removable storage. The dock'south plastic faceplates seem a bit inexpensive, simply otherwise the dock seems durable. A three-twelvemonth warranty helps in this regard.
The dock is definitely geared toward a professional setup. The dual lock slots are perfect in a busy public part, and the pre-drilled holes for mounting can assistance you free up desk space. It'southward not a flashy piece of hardware, merely for many people that'southward ideal. If yous have a laptop with Thunderbolt 4 capabilities and need a lot of extra connectivity, this dock should definitely be considered. Be sure to take a await at our roundup of the best laptop docking stations for more options.
Kensington SD5700T
Bottom line: Kensington'due south SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 dock is geared toward professionals who need a ton of ports for accessories, monitors, storage, and more. It'southward not cheap, only the extra features (like lock slots) and longer warranty help brand up whatsoever divergence in cost compared to the competition.
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