Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 Dock: ports, display support and who it suits

The Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 4 Dock (model INW017ttSGY) is a small desktop hub that turns one laptop port into several. Plug a single Thunderbolt cable into your computer and you get extra Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, display output and charging, so a desk with a laptop on it can be set up or cleared in one move.

What the five ports give you

Belkin describes the dock as five-in-one: one upstream Thunderbolt 4 port that connects to the computer, three downstream Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and one USB-A port. The downstream ports can run external drives, displays or other Thunderbolt and USB-C accessories. Belkin says each downstream port can supply up to 15W to a connected device.

Because the dock is Thunderbolt 4 certified and USB4 compliant, Belkin says it works with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and USB-C devices, including MacBooks, Windows laptops, Chromebooks and iPads.

Speed and daisy chaining

Thunderbolt 4 carries data at up to 40 Gbps. Belkin puts that at eight times faster than USB 3.0, which matters mostly for fast external SSDs and large file transfers. Belkin also says you can daisy chain up to six Thunderbolt devices, meaning one device plugs into the next instead of each needing its own port on the computer.

As with any shared connection, the 40 Gbps is divided between everything using it, so a fast drive and two displays running at once will share the available bandwidth.

Display support

Belkin lists support for dual monitors at up to 4K and 60Hz, or a single 8K display at 30Hz. In general, the number of screens you can actually use also depends on your computer, its graphics hardware and operating system, so check what your laptop supports before planning a multi-monitor desk.

Charging through the dock

The dock includes a 150W power supply. Belkin says the upstream port provides up to 96W power delivery, so a compatible laptop can charge from the same cable that carries data and video. Many ultrabooks charge comfortably at that level; some larger laptops are designed for more power and may charge slowly or hold their charge only while idle. Check your laptop's charger wattage against 96W.

Design, materials and warranty

The housing is low profile at roughly 5.3 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches (about 13.5 x 7.4 x 1.8 cm), small enough to sit beside a laptop or travel in a bag. Belkin says the housing uses at least 72% post-consumer recycled content, with plastic-free packaging, and the dock carries a three-year limited warranty. It also lists overcurrent protection for connected devices.

Who it suits

It suits people who move a laptop on and off a desk each day and want one cable to handle displays, storage, accessories and charging. It also suits anyone whose laptop has only one or two ports. A dock with only one USB-A port is less of a fit if you rely on many older USB-A accessories, though a hub or adapter on a downstream port can add more.

What to check before you buy

• Your computer's port: confirm it has a Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port, and not a basic USB-C port without video output.
• Display limits: check how many external screens, at what resolution, your laptop supports.
• Power needs: compare your laptop's charger wattage with the 96W delivery.
• Ports you use: count your accessories against three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports and one USB-A port.
• Cable reach: the box includes a 0.8 m Thunderbolt 4 cable, so check it reaches from your desk to where the dock will sit.
• What's in the box: the dock, the 0.8 m Thunderbolt 4 cable and the power supply.

The short version

• A compact five-port Thunderbolt 4 dock: one upstream, three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports and one USB-A.
• Data at up to 40 Gbps, with dual 4K at 60Hz or a single 8K at 30Hz.
• 96W power delivery to the laptop from a 150W power supply.
• Works with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and USB-C devices.
• Three-year limited warranty; housing made with at least 72% recycled content.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.