Master thread for all USB4 hubs/docks with downstream USB4 ports and PD passthrough
Please post USB4 hubs with USB4 downstream ports and powered with USB-PD here.
Any USB4 endpoint device without USB4 downstream ports does not count.
I only know of one so far:
https://www.shophagibis.com/products/thunderbolt-4-docking-station-8k-40gbps
It does not seem to have DRP, and it only has 2x USB4 DFP, but appears to be the best we have for now.
My gold standard:
- PD passthrough at least 140W input (no barrel jack power) but ideally 180W in, 140W out
- DRP (dual-role power, can run from the host's power or via PD passthrough port)
- At least 3x USB4 downstream ports (ideally 80Gb/s to justify premium price, but 40Gb/s is still useful at moderate price)
- No HDMI, USB-A or other legacy ports
- Extra ports in the form of USB-C 3.0 ports are welcome
- M.2 NVMe slot is welcome
The idea is to be able to carry your dock with you when travelling and just use your laptop charger to power it and your laptop, rather than requiring another cumbersome power brick. Imagine bringing a little hub with an SSD inside which can power your laptop, portable monitors and connect other devices without needing its own power brick.
My "better than nothing" standard:
- Everything above except DRP, and adding HDMI or USB-A is fine if they don't sacrifice USB-C ports for them
My non-negotiables:
- Absolutely no captive cables under any circumstances whatsoever
- I will not buy anything in 2026 which could run off USB-C power but doesn't
I acknowledge that the power from the host would not be enough to run everything, but it should just do best-effort. Allocate power within its budget, and after that, the downstream ports can talk to self-powered devices. If full capability is required, attach the 140W USB-PD input and it should power everything up without resetting the data links between already running devices.
I hope that other people agree and will tell manufacturers to get with the times. To avoid customer support calls, I would advise writing on the dock "Requires 15W for basic function or 45W for full function" or similar, somewhere prominent and maybe a QR code to a support page explaining charger requirements. The vast majority of laptops have USB4 now, and they are effectively mandated to support 15W PD, leaving no ports in the wild with the supposed minimum 7.5W.
Another note: USB-PD includes the standard for power banks to report their battery charge to your laptop, but has never been implemented in a consumer power bank. Start asking them why they have not done this.