Sonnet Technologies has announced the Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock, the latest and top offering in the company’s Echo family of docking stations. The Echo 20 features three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one internal M.2 NVMe SSD socket, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-C Charging ports, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type A ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) port, one 3.5mm combo audio port, two analog line level output jacks, one 3.5mm microphone jack, and one SD 4.0 card slot. The Sonnet dock is compatible with Apple M series Mac computers; Thunderbolt 3 Intel Mac computers; Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Windows computers; late-model Thunderbolt 3 Windows computers; Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Chromebook computers; and M series iPad Pro tablets.
Thunderbolt docking stations enable users to conveniently connect their computer peripherals — such as storage devices, input devices, headphones, etc. — to a central point instead of directly to their computer. The Sonnet Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock connects all of those peripheral devices — including an HDMI monitor — through a single Thunderbolt cable (which can also charge laptop computers with up to 100 watts of power). The Echo 20 also supports the installation of one M.2 NVMe SSD inside the case. The Echo dock supports connecting one 8K or two 6K monitors (subject to the computer’s display support).
The Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock includes several distinctive features:
- Built-in M.2 NVMe SSD Socket: This enables users to install up to 8 TB of storage without connecting an external storage device to the Echo dock or to the computer. With data transfers up to 800 MB/s, the internal storage is ideal for many uses, including media storage and Time Machine backups.
- HDMI 2.1 Port: Connects an 8K @60Hz HDMI display directly with no adapter required.
- 2.5 Gb Ethernet Port: When connected to a compatible switch or NAS, 2.5 GbE connectivity delivers faster data transfers over existing cabling with no adapter needed. It is also backward compatible with a Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure.
- Eight USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Ports: Includes two each USB-A and USB-C ports on both the front and the back panels. The Sonnet dock’s eight USB 3 ports boost power to ensure that bus-powered SSDs with higher peak power requirements mount and operate reliably. The USB-C ports support the Type-C Charging spec, enabling the dock to charge devices even when the computer is off, sleeping, or disconnected.
- More Audio I/O Ports: Includes a 3.5mm TRRS headset jack on the front panel, plus a 3.5mm microphone jack on the back panel. Separate left- and right-channel RCA output jacks provide line level output to powered speakers or an amplifier and avoid clipping and distortion that can occur when using a headphone jack as the source.
- Rear Panel Computer/Charging (Thunderbolt 4) Port: Placing the computer interface/charging port on the back panel fulfills a frequent customer request and allows for easier cable management.
- Two Thunderbolt 4 Peripheral Ports: Support both Thunderbolt and USB peripherals — including displays — and provide up to 15 watts power each. When used with self-powered Thunderbolt devices, the ports support up to five devices via daisy chain connection.
- ThunderLok Support: Like Sonnet Thunderbolt-to-PCIe card expansion systems, the Echo 20 dock includes a threaded nut to secure the included Sonnet ThunderLok 4 Thunderbolt connector retainer clip that prevents accidental cable disconnections.
- Value: The Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock offers more features and sells for 25 percent less than its closest competitor’s Thunderbolt 4 dock.
The Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock (part number ECHO-DK20-T4) is available now from Sonnet and soon from its worldwide distribution and reseller partners at the suggested retail price of $299.99.
For more information, visit www.sonnettech.com/product/echo20-thunderbolt4-superdock.
