Although I work on PCs every single day, I also use Macs for both work and play. My go-to work machine is a MacBook Air (M4), which I love because it’s powerful, lightweight, and the battery easily lasts through the workday when I’m away from a power outlet. I also use a Mac Mini (M4) at home as our Plex Media Server, which runs 24-7-365.
However, Macs (especially the MacBook Air) aren’t known for their abundance of versatile ports, so I use Thunderbolt 4 docks with both systems at my desk. With this setup, I can add a wealth of connectivity options to my Macs using Thunderbolt 4. In my case, I leverage the Ivanky FusionDock Max 1 and the Amazon Basics Thunderbolt 4 Pro Dock . And while I use these docks with Macs, there are plenty of Intel-based Windows laptops with Thunderbolt 4 ports that can use compatible Thunderbolt 4 docks.
MacBook Air – Ivanky FusionDock Max 1
The FusionDock Max 1 is different from most Thunderbolt 4 docks on the market, as it uses dual Thunderbolt 4 cables to connect to a host system rather than a single one. The reason for this is that the FusionDock Max 1 uses two Thunderbolt 3 chips onboard, allowing it to offer a staggering number of ports.
However, this trick design limits compatibility. The FusionDock Max 1 is only compatible with Macs, as the spacing between the two-port USB-C-style connector on the cables that connect the dock to the Mac only works with Apple’s standard port spacing. Further limiting its compatibility is that the FusionDock Max 1 only works with Apple Silicon Macs. However, Apple Silicon Macs have been around since late 2020, and anyone looking for a Thunderbolt 4 dock for a Mac will be running a compatible system.
Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
As I mentioned, the FusionDock Max 1 has plenty of ports. You'll find:
2x Upstream USB-C
4x Downstream USB-C (40 Gbps)
1x USB-C (10 Gbps, 30W PD)
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