Matrox DS1 Thunderbolt Thunderbolt Docking Station

Matrox has just released the new DS1 Thunderbolt Docking Station, a device that allows multiple USB, Ethernet and audio ports to be connected via a single Thunderbolt cable.

It is designed primarily for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users to have access to all these connectivities and get the benefits of a desktop computer.

Connections

This Matrox device features two USB 2.0 ports; 3.5mm audio input and output; a Gigabit Ethernet port; and either a DVI output or HDMI output. In addition, next to the Thunderbolt connection there is also a USB 3.0 port, strategically placed there so that either can be used as the primary input to the computer.

Thanks to these connections, we can connect a large screen, or monitor, through the DVI and HDMI outputs, and on the others add a full keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals. The Gigabit Ethernet port provides connectivity for a wired network, allowing data transfer 18 times faster than Wi-Fi.

As there is only one Thunderbolt port there is no handover. The DS1 terminates any open Thunderbolt chain – “Daisy Chain” (wiring diagram) – and outputs to displays via DVI or HDMI. But, for example, Thunderbolt storage could be connected between the computer and the DS1.

It could be a very good option for MacBook Pros with Retina display, which have a second Thunderbolt port but lack a Gigabit Ethernet one.

Matrox has already started shipping the DS1 Thunderbolt Docking Station in the United States, for a price of $249. Worldwide availability is expected to begin in early January (you can see the distributors here).

It is available for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac or MacMini, all of them with OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2). Here you can see all its specifications.

In addition, another product of the same type, the Thunderbolt Express Dock from Belkin, is also expected to be released in the first quarter of 2013. This will improve the Matrox device by adding FireWire, three USB 3.0 ports and will support a second Thunderbolt connection, so we also assume that it will be more expensive, but the exact price is not known at the moment.