For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with CalDigit to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a SOHO USB-C Dock that is compatible with Apple's Macs and USB-C iPads. SOHO stands for Small Office Home Office Dock, and it's the perfect companion for those working from home who need access to more ports than Apple's machines provide.
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Priced at $100, the bus-powered SOHO Dock offers Gen 2 USB-C transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s, which is twice as fast as traditional USB-C docks that are limited to USB-C Gen 1, and allows for additional features.
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The SOHO Dock can connect to a 60Hz 4K display, and on machines that support DisplayPort 1.4, up to two 4K 60Hz monitors can be connected in dual mirrored mode on macOS. On the iPad Air and iPad Pro, a single 4K monitor can be connected. Standard USB-C hubs are limited to a single 4K monitor at 30Hz when used with a Mac.
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There's an HDMI 2.0b port and a DisplayPort 1.4 port for connecting displays, plus it is equipped with dual gold plated SD card readers that support UHS-II speeds. There's a USB-C port for connecting to a computer, a full speed 10Gb/s USB-C data port, a 10Gb/s USB-A port, and a USB-C port for power delivery.
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Passthrough charging is supported, and the SOHO Dock can charge a MacBook at up to 90W, which is enough power for all of Apple's machines. Charging will vary based on the wattage of the USB-C charger and the number of USB devices attached to the SOHO Dock. Passthrough charging works for laptops, and is also compatible with iPad Pro, Windows tablets, and USB-C smartphones.
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The SOHO Dock is made from a high-grade aluminum that allows for heat dissipation, and CalDigit says that it uses high quality components to ensure thermal integrity and device longevity. CalDigit ships the dock with a detachable cable to allow for flexibility should customers need a longer cable length.
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The SOHO Dock works with the 12-inch MacBook, Thunderbolt 3 Macs that include the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro, plus it is compatible with the M1 Macs and Windows PCs with USB-C Gen 1, USB-C Gen 2, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4.
We have 10 of the SOHO Docks to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (January 8) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 15. The winners will be chosen randomly on January 15 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Top Rated Comments
All new modern docking products should be Thunderbolt 3, if not TB 4, and should not include any Type A connectors. All USB Type C connectors on them should be either Thunderbolt 3, 4 or USB 4.0 topology compliant. Time to move fully into the 21st century. USB 2.0 is covered wagon stuff. USB 3.x has evolved into an Edsel. put them both in the rear view mirror or the Smithsonian.
A. Cost. I understand Thunderbolt = royalties to Intel? (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)Why develop and produce USB type C products that are not at least Thunderbolt 3 compliant? This really makes no more sense to me than the production of Thunderbolt 3 docks with mostly, even any, USB 3.x type A connectors, especially when some of the docks include any USB 2.0 ports. I wouldn’t even want one for free.
All new modern docking products should be Thunderbolt 3, if not TB 4, and should not include any Type A connectors. All USB Type C connectors on them should be either Thunderbolt 3, 4 or USB 4.0 topology compliant. Time to move fully into the 21st century. USB 2.0 is covered wagon stuff. USB 3.x has evolved into an Edsel. put them both in the rear view mirror or the Smithsonian.
B. Compatibility.
I bought the Soho so I can use it with my M1 MacBook Pro AND my PixelBook Go.
PixelBook Go (and many other laptops) don't support Thunderbolt.
USB 3.2 gen 2 strikes a nice balance of power/compatibility.
4K / 60 Hz is fine for me.