Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock: Microsoft gives up proprietary connector

The days of Microsoft’s proprietary Surface Connect connector are numbered. The manufacturer has presented its first docking station, which uses USB Type C with Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 as the main connection. This means that the new Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock can also be used with notebooks or tablets other than Microsoft’s Surface devices.

In a way, Surface Connect is to Microsoft what Lightning is to Apple. Although the connector on the Surface devices was convenient thanks to its magnetic mechanism, it limited users. At least: Alternatives can already be used via the Thunderbolt 4 ports of current models such as the Surface Pro 9. New generations like the Surface Pro 10 are likely to appear without Connect.

Lots of connections

The Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock provides a wealth of connections, including three Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 in the form of Type-C ports. They all emit a display port image signal and charge connected devices with up to 15 watts.

Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 are technically identical, Thunderbolt 4 merely corresponds to an Intel certification with a guaranteed high range of functions. However, since Microsoft also stipulates a PCI Express mode and image output via DisplayPort alternative mode via USB4 for the Windows logo on notebooks, the docking station should work with many devices.

All connections summarized:

• Three times Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Type C
• Three USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps, formerly called USB 3.0) Type A – with 7.5 watts charging per port
• 2.5Gbps Ethernet
• 3.5mm audio jack
• Kensington lock

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No HDMI

What the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock lacks are dedicated video outputs. Monitors can only be operated via USB-C via Displayport. There is no HDMI at all, so it only works via the docking station with an active adapter.

The connected main device can supply the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock with up to 96 watts, which means that the total power supply of all USB ports is 163.5 watts. For this to work, Microsoft includes a 165-watt external power supply that is connected via a DC connector.

From the Microsoft world, the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock runs with the Surface Laptop 5, Laptop Studio, Surface Pro 8 and Pro 9. Microsoft sells the docking station in its own online store for 366 euros. The first dealers have also already started selling.

(mma)