# WAVLINK Thunderbolt 4 Dock review: Mac dual-display limits & 96W charging caveats > 13-port TB4 dock: dual 4K60, 96W PD, 2.5GbE. Base M1/M2/M3 Macs get one display. Tags: thunderbolt-4, docking-station, wavlink, dual-monitor, mac, windows, 2-5g-ethernet Source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0H265QTGF Article page: https://web-autoai.com/articles/wavlink-thunderbolt-4-4k-hdmi-macwindows?lang=en Prices and ratings change over time — check the article page for the current values. --- ## Overview The WAVLINK Thunderbolt 4 dock, listed as 「WAVLINK Thunderbolt 4ドック 4K HDMI デュアルモニター付き MacまたはWindows用」, is a docking station. With a single cable, it gives a laptop two external displays, wired networking, USB peripherals and an SD card slot. It connects over 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4. Its two HDMI ports drive dual 4K@60Hz displays, or a single display at up to 8K@60Hz. It also charges the laptop at up to 96W and adds 2.5Gbps Ethernet and an SD card reader rated at up to 312MB/s, for 13 ports in total. The short version: it is a strong choice if you own an M1 Pro/Max or later Mac, or a Windows laptop with Thunderbolt 4/USB4, and want your whole desk setup back with one cable. On base M1/M2/M3 Macs, though, only one external display works, so its headline dual-monitor feature goes unused. The most important thing before buying is to check which group your computer falls into. Note that this is a dock, not a display. The phrase about dual monitors in the product name means it can drive two monitors. You need to buy the monitors separately. ## Compatibility Guide According to the compatibility notes, it works with Thunderbolt 4 Windows 10/11 machines and with macOS machines that have Thunderbolt 3/4. Connecting is one thing, though, and getting two displays is another. What you get depends on the host. | Host | External displays | Notes | |---|---|---| | M1 Pro/Max and later Pro/Max Macs | 2 (4K@60Hz x2) | The setup this dock suits best | | Base M1/M2/M3 Macs | 1 only | Limited by the Mac's chip | | Windows (Thunderbolt 4 / USB4) | 2 | USB4 implementations vary | | Windows (Thunderbolt 3) | 1 | Single display supported | | USB-C without Thunderbolt | Not recommended | Heavily limited | The base M1/M2/M3 limit is not the dock's fault. It comes from how many external displays the Mac's chip can drive, so a pricier dock would not change it. Base M4 and later models are not covered in the compatibility notes, so check Apple's specs or the product page for how many external displays they support. On Windows, watch out for USB4. Not every USB4 port runs at 40Gbps, and some laptops cannot use every feature of a Thunderbolt dock. Check the laptop's spec sheet for three things: Thunderbolt 4 or 40Gbps USB4, video output (DisplayPort Alt Mode), and USB PD charging input. If the laptop's port does not accept charging, the dock's 96W output will not charge it. Displays have their own catch. Output is HDMI, and the spec lists 4K@60Hz in dual mode. If you connect a 144Hz or 240Hz gaming monitor through the dock, you may not get its high refresh rate, so plug gaming monitors directly into the computer. For single 8K@60Hz output, check on the product page which port supports it, and make sure your host can output 8K. ## Ports at a Glance | Item | Spec | Best use | |---|---|---| | Thunderbolt 4 | 40Gbps | Host link and fast downstream devices | | HDMI | 2 | Dual 4K@60Hz / single 8K@60Hz | | USB-A | 4 (2x 10Gbps, 2x 5Gbps) | SSDs on 10Gbps, input devices on 5Gbps | | Ethernet | 2.5Gbps | NAS and fast internet plans | | SD card reader | Up to 312MB/s | Photo and video offload | | Power Delivery | 96W | Charging the laptop | | Included adapter | 160W | Powers the dock and its ports | The USB-A ports come in two speeds. Put SSDs and card readers on the 10Gbps ports, and keyboards, mice and webcams on the 5Gbps ones. The 312MB/s card reader figure assumes a UHS-II card. UHS-I cards top out at 104MB/s by spec, so if your cards are UHS-I, offloads will not get much faster. If you shoot a lot of RAW photos or 4K video, consider upgrading your cards too. The same goes for 2.5G Ethernet: your router, switch or NAS has to support 2.5GbE or faster, or the link runs at 1Gbps. If you plan to move to a 2.5GbE NAS or a faster fiber plan, though, the dock will not hold you back. ## Product Info The maker is WAVLINK. On Amazon. co. Prices change with sales and stock, so check the product page for the current price before buying. In the box are a 160W power adapter and a Thunderbolt 4 cable. Check the product page for the cable length and warranty terms. The 160W adapter covers both the 96W going to the laptop and the power drawn by connected USB devices. It sits in the middle of the Thunderbolt 4 dock price range. For a dock that combines 13 ports, 2.5GbE and a 312MB/s card reader, that is reasonable value. ## Comparison with Competitors CalDigit and Belkin docks are the usual comparisons. Higher-end models from those brands can offer DisplayPort outputs or more charging power, but they generally cost more. This dock stands out by offering many ports and 2.5G Ethernet at a mid-range price. If you want something cheaper, a USB-C dual-HDMI adapter can be enough when you do not need wired networking, a card reader or laptop charging. Bandwidth and OS requirements differ, though, so whether it can replace a Thunderbolt 4 dock depends on your needs. If the goal is charging, networking and everything else over one cable, a Thunderbolt 4 dock is the simpler choice. ## Setup Tips 1. Plug the 160W adapter into the dock first, then connect the host with the Thunderbolt 4 cable. 2. Windows may ask you to approve the Thunderbolt device. Allow it when prompted. 3. Connect the monitors over HDMI and check the layout, resolution and refresh rate (4K@60Hz) in display settings. If you cannot get 60Hz, check that the HDMI cable supports 4K@60Hz. 4. Confirm that the laptop's battery shows it is charging. Use the included Thunderbolt 4 cable. A USB-C cable that looks identical but is a USB 2.0 charging cable will not work properly. If you need a longer cable, buy a certified Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps) one. ## Recommended Users - **Creators on M1 Pro/Max or later Macs who want dual 4K**: put the timeline on one screen and the preview on the other, and offload SD cards through the dock. - **People who use a laptop as their desktop**: one cable switches charging, two displays, wired networking and USB devices together. The more often you move between desk and travel, the more you benefit. - **NAS and fast-internet users**: 2.5Gbps Ethernet moves large files faster than typical 1Gbps docks, provided your network gear supports it. - **Owners of Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Windows laptops**: it is not Mac-only, and dual displays work on Windows laptops that meet the requirements. ## Before You Buy **Base M1/M2/M3 Macs get one monitor. ** This is the most likely mistake. Despite the dual-monitor naming, the Mac itself blocks a second display. If one monitor is enough, a cheaper USB-C dock usually is too, and this dock would be overkill. **High-end gaming laptops may drain under load. ** Charging tops out at 96W. Gaming laptops with powerful GPUs often draw much more than that, so plan on also using the laptop's own charger. External GPU enclosures or fast storage on the downstream Thunderbolt 4 port are possible, but check compatibility device by device. **Do not count on high refresh rates. ** The spec lists 4K@60Hz in dual mode. For high-refresh gaming, connect the monitor directly to the computer. **Not for USB-C machines without Thunderbolt. ** On those you get a single display and limited bandwidth, so we do not recommend it. Check the return and defect policies before buying. **Reading the listing. ** Our site files this product under monitors, but it is a docking station with no display. The Amazon listing may also show seller and fulfillment details that do not match the Japanese store. When buying, use the photos and title to confirm it is the right product, and check the seller and warranty terms. ## FAQ **Q. Can a MacBook Air (M2) drive two monitors? ** A. The compatibility notes say base M1/M2/M3 Macs support one external display only. **Q. Can I charge my laptop while using it? ** A. Yes, at up to 96W, as long as the laptop's port accepts charging. Laptops that draw more than 96W may not keep up. **Q. Will 2.5G Ethernet always be faster? ** A. No. Your router, switch or NAS must also support 2.5GbE. Otherwise the link runs at 1Gbps. **Q. Does it work with Thunderbolt 3 Windows laptops? ** A. It connects, but Thunderbolt 3 hosts are limited to a single display. **Q. Will a 144Hz monitor run at 144Hz through the dock? ** A. The spec lists 4K@60Hz in dual mode and does not mention higher refresh rates. Connect the monitor directly if you need high refresh. ### Product Disclosure (Amazon) - Manufacturer: WAVLINK - Seller: Amazon US - Fulfilled by: Amazon US - ASIN: B0H265QTGF - Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.