The OWC USB-C Travel Dock Is Ready for Your Next Trip

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The newest Mac laptops are fantastic. They are fast, thin, light and get the job done. Unfortunately, in their ongoing commitment to industrial design, Apple has, as you know, dropped many of the ports that used to be standard in laptops. Thankfully, the OWC USB-C Travel Dock is here. For under $40 it gives you back what Apple took away.

The OWC USB-C Travel Dock comes in a variety of different colors. You can currently choose from silver, space gray, gold and rose gold.

That means you can get the dock that perfectly matches your laptop. And while I really could care less if my laptop accessories match my computer, I know this is something others find important.

Measuring 3” by 3”, just over 1/2” high, it has a 9” cable; the travel dock is small enough to take anywhere. It even fits in a pocket! Equipped with USB-C, it is ready to connect to any of Apple’s current laptops or Windows PCs with a USB-C port. Built from brushed aluminum and acrylic, the dock looks great but is also tough enough to endure the rigors of travel. As OWC says,

It’s a great looking compliment to your laptop, and tough enough to follow you on any adventure. There’s no better way to keep your workflow efficient on the move.

One side of the square dock has the USB-C cable that connects to your computer. The other three sides have the five ports that make this a great travel accessory.

On one side there is a USB-3.1 and an HDMI port.

On the second side, there is a USB-C port auxiliary port that can handle up to 60W of power.

On the third and final side, there is a second USB 3.1 port and an SD card slot.

In other words, this small accessory gives you a host of connectivity options when you travel. When paired with a USB-C power adapter the USB-C port can deliver 60W of power thereby not only charging your laptop but also the other accessories connected to the dock. The HDMI 2.0 port is equally powerful and can support a 4K display of up to 4096 x 2160 at 30Hz. In other words, if you are traveling with your laptop you can connect the dock to a 4K display or high-definition television and enjoy your content, be it for work or play, on the big screen.

Specifications:

  • USB 3.1 Gen 1 | SD Card | HDMI | Mac | PC
  • Complete Compact Connectivity
  • 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Standard-A) Ports
  • USB-C Auxiliary Power Port (up to 60W)
  • SD Card Reader (UHS-II)
  • HDMI 2.0 Port
  • Supports 4K display resolution – up to 4096 x 2160 at 30Hz
  • Fully compatible with all Thunderbolt 3 equipped Macs & PCs
  • Available in 4 colors
  • 2 Year OWC Limited Warranty

Connect. Power. Charge: The OWC USB-C Travel Dock brings back portable connectivity and up to 60W pass through power to your USB-C MacBook or Thunderbolt 3 equipped Mac or PC. With 5 ports, the OWC USB Travel Dock lets you connect to your notebook, drive an HD display, connect, power or charge up to two USB 3.1 devices and access photos from your camera’s SD card. Add a USB-C power adapter and have a stand alone charging station. In addition to USB Type-C connectivity, the OWC USB-C Travel Dock is also fully compatible with Thunderbolt 3 equipped Macs and PCs, and may be connected directly through a Thunderbolt 3 port on a computer or Thunderbolt 3 device.

Whether you are using a MacBook, MacBook Pro, Chromebook, or PC with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports, the OWC USB-C Travel Dock is a great addition to your gear bag. Its small size makes it great for travel, and its pass-through USB-C charging port means you can not only charge your laptop but also expand connectivity options so your work away from home can be as efficient as possible. It is a terrific accessory and, at under $40, is a no-brainer. Get one for yourself and then pick up a couple as stocking stuffers for the professionals in your life. You can learn more and order yours here.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the OWC USB-C Travel Dock

What I Like: Small; Tough; Five different connectivity options

What Needs Improvement: Nothing. This isn’t a dock you will want to use all the time, but it is ideal for travel

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.