Computers Technology macbook air storage external monitor

4 Things to Know About Using a Thunderbolt 3 Dock With an M1 MacBook Air

  1. It works The M1 MacBook Air supports Thunderbolt 3 and USB4, so a Thunderbolt 3 dock will function and provide all its ports.

  2. It is overkill for basic needs If you only need a few USB-A ports and an HDMI output, a simple USB-C hub for $20-40 does the same job. Thunderbolt docks cost $200 or more.

  3. Extra speed is wasted on peripherals The 40Gbps bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3 does not benefit keyboards, mice, or a single 4K monitor. Those devices work fine over slower connections.

  4. Only buy Thunderbolt for specific tasks Go Thunderbolt if you need to daisy-chain high-speed storage, run multiple high-resolution displays, or require the full 40Gbps bandwidth. Otherwise, save your money.

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