Best Docking Stations for 14” and 16” MacBook Pro (M1 Pro and M1 Max)

Apple unveiled the 14” and 16” MacBook Pro models at its ‘Unleashed’ event on October 18, 2021. These Pro notebooks are packed with advanced M1 Pro and M1 Max processors that claim to deliver exceptional performance and power efficiency. These latest SOCs are designed to notch up the M1 performance from 2020 MacBooks & iMac. Therefore, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro are a great option for Pro users that’s more than capable of handling any task. 

Although the 2021 MacBook Pro models are equipped with additional ports of connectivity than ever, you’ll still need a powerful docking station if you’re planning to do some serious work. A dock gives you more options when it comes to connectivity. It offers multi-display use with charging support and allows you to connect Gigabit Ethernet, external drives, and much more. Besides, a dock has its own power supply and can charge the connected machine at a good speed. In short, you can add more versatility to your desktop workflow with a MacBook Pro docking station.

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We understand that finding the best docking station that lets you unleash the true potential of your 14” and 16” MacBook Pro is a difficult task. To help you make better choices, we’ve come up with our roundup on the best docking stations for 14” and 16” MacBook Pro in 2022. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, compact, portable, and docks for your MacBook Pro 2021 that will surely fulfill all your requirements. 

Therefore, whether you want to do photo editing, video editing, graphic designing, app development, or gaming, these feature-packed docks will offer great help.

Without any further ado, let’s get started with our roundup of the best docking stations for 14” and 16” MacBook Pro models in 2022.

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Please note that the mentioned docking stations are compatible with both the M1 Pro as well as the M1 Max configurations.

Note: We update our article from time to time to cover the latest products available in the market.

List of the Best Docking Stations for 14” and 16” MacBook Pro in 2022

1. Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro (Best-in-Class Performance)

Highlights

  • Sleek, stylish, and portable design
  • Dual HD monitor support
  • Ultra-fast data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps
  • Suitable for personal as well as professional use

Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro

Here comes a highly functional Thunderbolt 3 compatible 16-inch MacBook Pro Dock from the trusted and reliable brand, Belkin. The Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro brings a perfect fusion of elegant design and high performance into a single docking station solution. The Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro features a durable aluminum sleek exterior that instantly adds style to your workspace. It works well with macOS as well as Windows and includes a Thunderbolt 3 cable. The Belkin M1 Max 16” MacBook Pro docking station supports dual 4K@60Hz displays and offers ultra-fast data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. This makes Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro, a must-have 14” MacBook Pro docking station with dual HD monitor support. 

This Thunderbolt 3 hub is packed with the following ports of connectivity:

  1. 1 x Thunderbolt 3 (for the laptop)
  2. 1 x Thunderbolt 3 port (for other peripherals)
  3. 4 x USB-A 3.0 ports
  4. 1 x USB-A 3.1
  5. 1 x USB-C 3.1
  6. 1x DisplayPort
  7. A GB Ethernet
  8. An SD card reader
  9. An Audio in/out

All in all, you’ll get a big room for all your external peripherals and set up a full-fledged workstation with your latest 16-inch MacBook Pro. The SD card slot supports SD, SDHC as well as SDXC cards and offers up to 312 Mbps transfer speeds, making it an ideal docking station for photographers. Not to forget, this versatile Thunderbolt 3 Dock delivers up to 85W of power to the connected laptop.

In short, Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro is one of the best portable docking stations for the 14” and 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2022.

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Also Read: Best Accessories for the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)

2. CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub (More USB Ports)

Highlights

  • Supports upto 8K resolutions
  • Features a durable aluminum design
  • A more affordable option than other Thunderbolt 4 hubs
  • Offers four Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports

CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub

CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is one of the best and most advanced docking stations for the latest M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro models. It features a durable, all-aluminum body with a reversible design that gives you extra options to set up your workstation. It’s a no-compromise Thunderbolt 4 hub that allows you to connect dual 4K monitors, multiple external SSDs, your 14” as well as 16” MacBook Pro 2021. Impressively, this Mac M1 Pro hub packs four Thunderbolt 4 ports and four USB-A ports. 

With the Thunderbolt 4 ports, you can connect Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3 monitors with plug and play connectivity. Please note that you’ll need to use a

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USB-C video adapter to connect a DisplayPort or HDMI monitor. In addition, the hub allows you to connect up to four high-performance USB-A devices like ultra-fast SSDs. The CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub provides impressive monitor support. It’s designed to handle an 8K display at 30Hz, 6K LG displays, 5K Thunderbolt display at 60Hz, as well as dual 4K 60Hz monitors.  Therefore, it’s an excellent pick for users who need the best MacBook Pro docking station for dual 4K monitors. Not to forget, you can also Daisy chain this docking station with USB-4, thunderbolt, or USB-C docks for even more ports of connectivity. 

Apart from the MacBooks, the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 hub is a great option for iPad Pro as well as iMac users. It can power up your MacBooks or iPad Pro at upto 60W. Furthermore, CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub is backward compatible with USB-4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C.

All in all, this powerful Thunderbolt 4 docking station for M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro is an ideal pick for multi-workflow environments or if you just want fast USB ports for connecting hard drives or other peripherals.

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Also: Best Accessories for the 14” MacBook Pro

3. Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter (Best MacBook Pro 14″ Docking Station with built-in SSD)

Satechi USB-C Hybrid Multiport Adapter

Look at this compact and easy-to-carry docking station for 14″ MacBook Pro M1 Max that offers a perfect way to expand connectivity on your machine. As soon as you’ll get hands-on this docking station for MacBook Pro 16, you’ll appreciate its Mac-style design and a premium finish that complements your machine and adds more style to your workstation. What makes this dock stand out from other offerings is the built-in SSD storage compartment that lets you expand your MacBook’s capacity. You can easily open the back compartment and fit in a compatible M.2 SATA SSD (it doesn’t work with NVMe) to transfer files at up to 5Gbps or backup your important data.  

Talking about the connectivity options, this docking station for MacBook Pro 16 2021 packs a 4K@60Hz HDMI, two USB-A (10Gbps), and a 100W USB-C port. The dock easily plugs into the Thunderbolt port on your 14-inch MacBook and opens more doors of connectivity where you can work with up to four external devices simultaneously.  

Interestingly, the USB-C port on this dock supports up to 100W Power Delivery Charging, therefore, you never have to compromise between power and connectivity. The dock charges your MacBook Pro at its maximum supported speed while powering other external devices that you’ve connected to your Mac.

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In short, this is the best compact docking station with built-in SSD storage for 16″ MacBook Pro.

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Also Read: Best External Monitors for 14” and 16” MacBook Pro

4. Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock (A Powerful Vertical Docking Station for 14” and 16” MacBook Pro)

Highlights

  • Can be used in vertical and horizontal positions
  • Comes with a two-year warranty
  • Up to 60W host charging support
  • Support for dual displays via Thunderbolt 3 interface

Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock

Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a highly functional docking station that efficiently expands a Thunderbolt port on your MacBook Pro into a versatile port of extreme connectivity. With the ability to connect up to 10 external devices and 60W host charging support, the Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock is one of the best docking stations that you can get for your M1 Max 14” MacBook Pro in 2022. It’s equipped with one Thunderbolt 3, five USB 3.0, an audio jack, a DisplayPort, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. You can daisy chain up to five Thunderbolt 3 devices via the supported port. That means you can easily expand your MacBook Pro capacities and set up a complete workstation at your office or even your home. 

With the ability to use this docking station in vertical or horizontal positions with the included base adapter, you can easily customize your desk space. A two-year warranty backs this M1 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro docking station

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.

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Also Read: Best Ultrawide Monitors for MacBook Pro

5. CalDigit TS3 Plus (Best M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro Docking Station with PRO connectivity)

Highlights

  • Offers 15 ports of connectivity
  • Sturdy and ultra-durable design
  • Dual 4K monitor support
  • Good thermals (stays cool under heavy loads) 

CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock

Looking for the best Thunderbolt 3 docking station that’s as powerful as your latest M1 Max 16” MacBook Pro? Get yourself the CalDigit TS3 Plus. This feature-packed, versatile Thunderbolt 3 hub sports a sturdy and ultra-durable full-body aluminum construction with an integrated heat sink without a fan. You’ll get to experience cool and noiseless performance even when you’ve connected multiple devices. 

The CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock is packed with 15 ports of extreme connectivity:

  • 2xThunderbolt 3
  • 2xUSB-C (data only)
  • 5xUSB 3.1 Type A
  • A Gigabit Ethernet
  • DisplayPort 1.2
  • UHS-II SD card slot
  • Audio in
  • Audio out
  • Digital Optical

Therefore, whether you want to connect two 4K monitors or a stack of USB devices, this docking station can handle them all. With a whopping 15 ports, you’ll be able to connect everything that your work needs. This makes CalDigit TS3 Plus, a perfect pick for the M1 Max 14” and 16” MacBook Pro 2021 users who need the best TB3 dock to work with the most external devices simultaneously.

What’s more? This Mac docking station also offers a charging speed of up to 87W to top up a laptop and power all of your USB peripherals. 

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In short, if you need the best performing TB3 docking station for the 14” or 16” MacBook Pro M1 Max models, CalDigit TS3 is worth investing in.

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Also Read: Best Accessories for M2 MacBook Pro & MacBook Air

6. OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock (Best for Versatility)

Highlights

  • Delivers upto 90W charging support
  • Packs a total of four Thunderbolt 4 ports
  • Support for 8K displays
  • Can create three independent daisy chains

OWC Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station for MacBook Pro

Have a look at this Thunderbolt 4 dock for the M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro that expands a Thunderbolt port on your machine into a powerful, 11 port beast. The OWC Thunderbolt 4 Hub is packed with four fully functional Thunderbolt 4, three USB-A, one USB 2.0, one Gigabit Ethernet, one SD card slot, and one 3.5mm audio jack to connect a total of 11 external devices to your M1 Pro/M1 Max MacBook Pro. The SD card reader offers up to 312 Mbps, this MacBook Pro dock is just perfect for photo/video creation, transferring creative files, or easily backup all your data. 

You can easily hook a lot of accessories like a mouse,  keyboard, A/V mixers, smartphones, NVMe solutions, and more. Besides, the OWC MacBook Pro docking station allows you to connect dual 4K displays or a single 8K, 6K, or 5K display to set up a full-fledged workstation. Furthermore, you can expedite your workflow by connecting three bus-powered Thunderbolt devices.

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The Kensington Nano Security Slot, adjustable LED, secured network access, and the support for up to 90W PD charging are some nice add-ons of this Thunderbolt 4 docking station for Mac. 

In short, the OWC Thunderbolt 4 Dock is a great companion for the latest 16” and 14” MacBook Pro models. 

Check Price on OWC

Also Read: Best HDMI Adapters for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

7. Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock (Best Compact Docking Station for MacBook Pro 2021)

Highlights

  • Delivers upto 85W charging support
  • Dual 4K display support
  • Supports Apple SuperDrive
  • Wide compatibility

Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock

Need the best portable Thunderbolt 3 Dock for your M1 Max 14” MacBook Pro or M1 Pro 16” MacBook Pro? Get yourself the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock. The docking station looks premium with your MacBook Pro and turns a single port on your device into a versatile 8 port option. Besides, with one cable, the dock will give you neat, uncluttered desk space. It features two Thunderbolt 3 ports with extended capabilities. They are designed to handle a single 5K display, dual 4K displays, or an ultra-fast storage solution. Besides, there’s a DisplayPort that can drive an external display at up to 4K resolution. Furthermore, the dock packs two dedicated USB-C ports and two front access USB 3.0 ports, which lets you charge your

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iPhone or even power your Apple SuperDrive.

That means whether you want to set up a dual-display workstation, a professional-grade setup for color-critical tasks, or polish high-resolution images, the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a fantastic pick for your 14” as well as 16” MacBook Pro models. Not to forget, this highly useful dock provides up to 85W of power, which is enough to even a MacBook with the same cable that’s used to connect the two devices. 

With the compact and portable design, you can easily carry this supremely useful M1 Max 14” MacBook Pro docking station wherever you go. 

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Also Read: Best External SSD for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

8. HyperDrive GEN 2 Thunderbolt 3 Dock (A well-constructed Thunderbolt 3 Dock for MacBook Pro 2021)

Highlights

  • Daisy Chain up to 6 Thunderbolt 3 devices
  • Supports dual and triple 4K video output
  • Backward compatibility with USB-C and non-TB3 devices
  • Offers 16 ports of connectivity

HyperDrive GEN 2 Thunderbolt 3 Dock

Here we’ve got another Thunderbolt 3 docking station for the 14” MacBook Pro that offers exceptional performance and compatibility. HyperDrive GEN 2 Thunderbolt 3 Dock features

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durable and sturdy construction with an all-aluminum design that looks classy and elegant. You can easily connect up to 15 external devices without any messy or tangled cords. There’s a proper organization to plug multiple cables neatly.

This M1 Max MacBook Pro docking station packs the following ports of extreme connectivity:

  1. 1xThunderbolt 3 with 40Gbps and 85W PD support
  2. 1xThunderbolt 3 with 40Gbps
  3. 1xDisplayPort 1.4
  4. A Gigabit Ethernet
  5. 3xUSB-A 5Gbps
  6. An Optical Toslink Audio
  7. A Digital Coaxial Audio
  8. 2xUSB-A 10Gbps
  9. 1xUSB-A QC 3.0
  10. USB-C  10Gbps
  11. A MicroSD/SD card reader with 312Mbps speed
  12. A 3.5mm Audio Jack

This versatile dock has got both USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity merged into a single device that’s compatible with a wide range of devices. Plus, this MacBook Docking Station can deliver up to 85 watts of pass-through charging to your laptops. Apart from the M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max MacBooks, the CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock can also be used with M1 iPad Pro, Android USB-C smartphones, iMac, as well as Windows USB-C phones or tablets. 

All in all, the HyperDrive GEN 2 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is one of the best-performing hubs for the 14” and 16” MacBook Pro 2021.

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Also Read: Best External Hard Drives for M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

9. Brydge Stone Pro Docking Station (Best Multi-port hub for 14” MacBook Pro)

Highlights

  • Elegant and minimal design 
  • Support for dual 4K displays
  • Offers up to 87W of power
  • Works well with all Thunderbolt devices

Brydge Stone Pro Docking Station

Brydge Stone Pro Docking Station for the M1 Max MacBook Pro is the ultimate workplace solution that offers Thunderbolt 3 speeds and a total of up to 11 ports. It features a minimalistic design with a perfect blend of portability and expansion capacities. With this extremely powerful multi-port Thunderbolt 3 hub for the M1 Pro MacBook Pro, you get to connect several external devices with less cable clutter. You’ll get access to two Thunderbolt 3 ports that can handle up to 5K@60Hz display, a DP with 4K@60Hz support, three USB-A, a USB-C, a Gigabit Ethernet, 1 SD card, and a 3.5mm audio jack. 

This powerful and sleek 16” MacBook Pro dock keeps your desktop organized and addresses all of your connectivity needs with its multiple, heterogeneous port options. With the Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, you’ll get upto 40Gbps bandwidth to connect multiple data and video devices. Therefore, whether you want to hook your 14” MacBook Pro to a 4K display for conference calls, deliver presentations, or play your favorite games on the 16” MacBook Pro, the Brydge Stone Pro Docking Station is a great deal.

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Also Read: Best Docking Stations for M2 MacBooks

10. Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Highlights

  • Thunderbolt 4 certified
  • Up to 40Gbps transfer speed
  • Supports pass-through charging
  • Can connect up to 10 devices
  • Premium build

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Chroma

Here comes a Thunderbolt 4-certified docking station for 16” MacBook Pro M1 that packs 10 essential ports to expedite your workflow and notch up your creativity. The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Chroma is a high-end 14-inch MacBook Pro dock that goes well with the latest Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 as well as the older Thunderbolt devices. The Razer TB4 docking station is equipped with four Thunderbolt 4, three USB A, an SD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an Ethernet port. Impressively, this MacBook Pro 14 2021 docking station can handle dual 4K@60Hz displays or a single 8K monitor. Therefore, whether you wish to connect multiple displays or offload your raw footage and edit it on a big screen, you can easily do that with this dock. 

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Moving further, the Razer Thunderbolt 4 dock offers pass-through charging support to revive the host while powering all the other connected devices. You can grab this docking station for MacBook Pro M1 dual monitor in a Silver finish that beautifully complements your Mac or opt for the Chroma variant with RGB lighting. 

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Also Read: How to fix Touch Bar not working on MacBook Pro?

11. Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Pro Dock

Highlights

  • Supports up to 8K@60Hz resolutions
  • Includes a Thunderbolt 4 cable
  • Works well with macOS, iPadOS, and Windows devices
  • Up to 90W pass-through charging support

Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Pro Dock

If you’re looking for the best MacBook Pro 14 docking station that allows you to unleash the true potential of the Thunderbolt 4 port on your machine, the Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Pro Dock is worth your investment. This docking station for MacBook Pro M1 packs a Thunderbolt 4 upstream, a Thunderbolt 4 downstream, an SD card slot, two

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HDMI, an Ethernet, a 3.5mm AUX, a USB-C PD, two USB-A 3.1, and two USB-A 2.0 ports. Impressively, the Thunderbolt 4 upstream port of this 14” MacBook Pro dock offers up to 90W charging and 40Gbps data transmission support. Additionally, the USB-C Power Delivery port is capable enough to re-energize compatible devices at a fast speed.

This MacBook Pro 14 dock also comes with a Thunderbolt cable, in case you need one for your setup. With a simple, plug & play connectivity, you just need to connect this dock to your MacBook Pro and it will instantly turn a single TB4 port into a PRO connectivity outlet. 

Putting it simply, the Belkin Thunderbolt 4 Pro Dock is the best MacBook Pro 16” docking station for power users.

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Also Read: Best USB-C Adapters for 14” and 16” MacBook Pro

12. Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock

Highlights

  • Includes a 2.3ft Thunderbolt cable
  • Compact design
  • Thunderbolt technology certification
  • Up to 85W pass-through charging support

Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock

If you don’t have a lot of space on your desk but still want to add more connectivity options to your MacBook Pro, the Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock is just perfect for you. This M1 Max docking station features a compact design that looks premium and takes up very little space on your desk. There’s a Thunderbolt 4 upstream, three Thunderbolt 4 downstream, and a USB-A port. 

The Thunderbolt 4 upstream port delivers up to 85W pass-through charging and 40Gbps data transfer speeds. The Anker PowerrExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock is designed to handle up to a single 8K or dual 4K monitors. It’s worth mentioning that this 14” MacBook Pro Dock doesn’t offer an SD card reader, HDMI, or Ethernet port. Having said that, it’s still a nice option for users who want to expand their USB-C ports by adding downstream ports to connect more USB-C devices. Not to forget, this dock also offers high data transmission speeds and pass-through charging.

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Not to forget, this dock also offers high data transmission speeds and pass-through charging.

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13. Kensington TB 4 Docking Station

Kensington TB 4 Docking Station

Highlights

  • Backed by a 3-year warranty
  • Includes an Intel-certified TB4 cable
  • Support for up to 8K displays
  • Up to 90W PD charging

Want to turn your MacBook Pro into a productivity beast? The Kensington SD5700T is the best dock for your 16” MacBook Pro M1 Max. It features a compact design that instantly blends into your work set-up and delivers excellent performance. The Kensington SD5700T Dock for MacBook Pro features the following ports of connectivity:

  • 4 x Thunderbolt 4
  • 4 x USB-A ports
  • 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
  • 1 x Audio Combo Jack
  • An SD card reader

With the support of up to a single 8K or dual 4K video output, 40 Gbps data transfer speeds, and 90W Power Delivery Charging, this MacBook Pro 14 dock is a perfect companion for graphic designers, app developers, and other pro users. With Kensington DockWorks software onboard, you’ll also get to experience the fastest and most reliable internet connection. 

Overall, Kensington SD5700T is amongst the best Thunderbolt 4 docking stations for M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro.

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Also Read: Best USB Adapters and Hubs for M2 MacBooks

That was all for our list of the best docking stations for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2022. We hope this article has helped you pick the most suitable dock for your latest M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro models. 

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Which docking station are you planning to pair with your 14” or 16” MacBook Pro? Do share your favourites in the comments section below.

Don’t miss our comparison on Apple M1 vs M2 Processors. 



TechieTechTech Team
TechieTechTech Team