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. image credit: Sonnet 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...
Published By: CineD - Thursday, 16 December, 2021