Kensington Docking Station Unlocks the Full Potential of Premium Laptops

[TheLostSwede]

Kensington, a worldwide leader of desktop computing and mobility solutions for IT, business, and home office professionals, today announced the launch of the SD5800T Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Quad Video Docking Station. The powerful plug-and-play docking station supports up to four 4K monitors, delivers data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps, provides up to 100 W of power delivery, and features 16 connectivity ports enabling users to release the potential of their premium laptops.

Providing a true plug-and-play experience with no drivers or downloads required, the SD5800T is one of the first Thunderbolt 4 docks capable of supporting Quad 4K displays, and is compatible with Windows and macOS, as well as Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB-C devices. Ideal for graphic designers, video editors, and animators, the 16-in-1 design includes built-in UHS-II SD and Micro SD card readers for the efficient transfer of files at ultra-fast speeds.




Features and Benefits of the SD5800T Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Quad Video Docking Station

• Universal Compatibility - Optimized to work with different devices and operating systems, the SD5800T is compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB-C devices running Windows (10 or later) or macOS (11 or later).
• Maximize Visual Productivity - SD5800T supports up to four external displays via two HDMI and two DisplayPort (DP) ports, providing options to accommodate different setups. The dock supports quad 4K @ 60 Hz or single 8K @ 60 Hz with DSC enabled on Windows laptops, and dual 6K @ 60 Hz on MacBook models with M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chipsets.
• Fast Data Transfer - Next-level Thunderbolt experience transfers data, video, and audio at speeds up to 40 Gbps, and blocks peripheral devices from unauthorized access to system memory using Intel VT-d DMA protection.
• Productive 16-in-1 Design - SD5800T incorporates 16 connectivity ports including: HDMI (2), DisplayPort (2), Thunderbolt host, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (3), USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (2), USB-A 2.0, combo audio jack, SD and Micro SD card readers (2), and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet.
• Up to 100 W Power Delivery - Ideal for devices that require higher power, the SD5800T delivers up to 100 W (98 W certified) of Power Delivery to compatible laptops while powering connected accessories.
• Space-saving Design - The SD5800T offers a zero-footprint mounting option enabling users to mount the dock out of the way to maximize desktop space and provide a tidier workspace. Integrated lock slots enable users to protect the dock from theft with a Kensington cable lock (sold separately).
• Customizable Performance - Free Kensington DockWorks software provides features such as Wi-Fi auto-switch, MAC address ID pass-through and reset, and device connection monitoring, to deliver the best connection, performance, and security from the SD5800T.

"While today's premium laptops are designed to meet the advanced computing needs of professionals, including support for multiple monitors and ultra-fast data transfer speeds, the docking station has been the bottleneck for leveraging the full capabilities of these machines in a desktop environment," explained Lisa Schuiteboer Shuler, Manager of Product Marketing, Global Marketing at Kensington. "The SD5800T enables users to truly unlock the full potential of the laptop with the ability to instantly connect up to four external monitors, transfer data at ultra-fast speeds, and connect to a wide variety of accessories and devices, through a single Thunderbolt or USB4 port."

The Kensington SD5800T Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Quad Video Docking Station (K32856NA) is covered by a three-year limited warranty and professional support, and is available now in North America through Amazon.

[Editor's note: The SD5800T has an MSRP of US$379.99]

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Tek-Check]

Almost $400 for a dock that does not have HDMI 2.1 FRL ports?
What kind of nonsense proposition is this in 2023?
DOA at this price.

 

[Snoop05]

Does the render show a SIM card instead of microSD?

 

[Nostras]

I'm laughing at the editor's note, Swede is having none of it.
For that price you can get some decent laptops if you snag a deal. Wicked expensive.

 

[Sethiol]

What is so hard about adding a couple USB-C ports? Not 4 or more, but two would be nice. And the port on the front doesn't count.

 

[trsttte]

Having the thunderbolt/usb 4 upstream port on the front is DUMB. It's very expensive but given other recent launches it's not that bad, at least it is thunderbolt and usb4

Almost $400 for a dock that does not have HDMI 2.1 FRL ports?

It should just not have hdmi to begin with in my opinion. Unfortunately the DP are also probably DP1.4 which I find worse than the HDMI limitation.

To be fair, thunderbolt 4 and regular usb 4 (without going to the newer 80 and 120 modes that probably aren't yet available in the market) also doesn't have enough bandwidth for one hdmi 2.1 let alone two of them. I think there are better things to criticize like the older display port, gigabit ethernet when other docks/business monitors are coming with 2.5gbps or the 100W PD - new solutions should be bumping this number upwards as USB-C charging gets more widespread, especially at this price.

Does the render show a SIM card instead of microSD?

But the label is still from a micro sd, impressive

 

[Nhonho]

The USB Type-A port on the front should not have the "USB Power Delivery" logo, because the "USB Power Delivery" power standard is only compatible with USB-C ports.

 

[Tek-Check]

It should just not have hdmi to begin with in my opinion. Unfortunately the DP are also probably DP1.4 which I find worse than the HDMI limitation.

I wanted to include DP 2.1, but forgot to add it. It's early days. I have GPU at home with DP 2.1 ports, but there are only two monitors on the market at the moment. DP 2.1 will not take off more widely until Nvidia finally brings DP 2.1 on 5000 cards.

To be fair, thunderbolt 4 and regular usb 4 (without going to the newer 80 and 120 modes that probably aren't yet available in the market) also doesn't have enough bandwidth for one hdmi 2.1 let alone two of them.

HDMI 2.1 48 Gbps ports are essential for better integration with displays and other devices AV in home theatre. I could easily use one HDMI port to connect this dock to either 4K/120 OLED TV and use eARC port to pass through lossless audio to AVR, or connect directly to AVR. Priceless.

All more advanced monitors today have HDMI 2.1 port, whereever more than 32 Gbpps of data is needed.

I think there are better things to criticize like the older display port, gigabit ethernet when other docks/business monitors are coming with 2.5gbps or the 100W PD - new solutions should be bumping this number upwards as USB-C charging gets more widespread, especially at this price.

I agree with DP 2.1, GbE and higher PD 3.1 should be there. Such docks will only lift off in 2025 more prominently.

 

[trsttte]

HDMI 2.1 48 Gbps ports are essential for better integration with displays and other devices AV in home theatre. I could easily use one HDMI port to connect this dock to either 4K/120 OLED TV and use eARC port to pass through lossless audio to AVR, or connect directly to AVR. Priceless.

All more advanced monitors today have HDMI 2.1 port, whereever more than 32 Gbpps of data is needed.

You're not wrong but the problem is bigger than that because, quite frankly, the HDMI Forum is run by bunch of complete morons. Having HDMI 2.1 doesn't guarantee any of those features will work because the HDMI features are all optional - again, HDMI forum members are morons! - and particularly in an application like this where HDMI is converted from Display Port I put very low odds on any special features ever being implemented.

HDMI 2.1 is not just about the bandwidth, lots of advanced displays don't use it because they don't need the bandwidth (i.e. 1440p) and miss on all the other features like VRR, ALLM, eARC, etc. (personal rant of someone waiting to buy such a display to use with a PS5)

 

[Tek-Check]

You're not wrong but the problem is bigger than that because, quite frankly, the HDMI Forum is run by bunch of complete morons. Having HDMI 2.1 doesn't guarantee any of those features will work because the HDMI features are all optional - again, HDMI forum members are morons! - and particularly in an application like this where HDMI is converted from Display Port I put very low odds on any special features ever being implemented.

HDMI 2.1 is not just about the bandwidth, lots of advanced displays don't use it because they don't need the bandwidth (i.e. 1440p) and miss on all the other features like VRR, ALLM, eARC, etc. (personal rant of someone waiting to buy such a display to use with a PS5)

I'd never buy a monitor or dock with HDMI 2.1 port, but without VRR. That would be nonsense. eARC is only needed on TV, which they have nowadays.
Converter chips DP-HDMI inside docks would simply provide HDMI signal (audio and video are together), so there is no risk for lossless audio.