Users needing a single cable to power and connect their laptops now have two distinct options that cater to opposite ends of the desk setup spectrum. The Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 5 Dock targets heavy workstation tasks with massive bandwidth and high power delivery. The Asus Adol HC112 targets portability with a featherweight design and lower price point. Buyers should choose based on whether they prioritize raw throughput or physical convenience.
High-end workstation dock meets ultra-light portable hub
Belkin introduced the Connect Thunderbolt 5 Dock as a high-end solution for users who need to drive multiple high-resolution displays and charge powerful laptops. The device features a sturdy aluminum body that houses 14 ports to handle a wide variety of peripherals. It includes two downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, and a USB-C port for power input. The dock supports up to four 4K displays or three 4K displays at 144Hz on compatible Windows laptops.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Belkin Connect Thunderbolt 5 Dock | Asus Adol HC112 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $338 – $358 | around $48 |
| Ports | 14 ports | 11 ports |
| Max Bandwidth | 120Gbps | 10Gbps |
| Power Delivery | 140W passthrough | 100W passthrough |
| Weight | Information insufficient | 81 grams |
The Asus Adol HC112 takes a different approach by prioritizing a small footprint and light weight for mobile professionals. It measures just 116 x 48 x 15mm and weighs only 81 grams, making it easy to slip into a laptop bag. The dock provides 11 ports including HDMI, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2, and SD/microSD card readers. It supports video output up to 8K at 30Hz or 4K at 120Hz, which covers most modern monitor requirements.
Speed and power delivery differ significantly between the two devices to match their intended use cases. The Belkin dock offers 80Gbps of standard throughput and can boost to 120Gbps for demanding workloads. It comes with an 180W power adapter that sends up to 140W back to the connected laptop. The Asus dock provides 10Gbps data transfer speeds and passes through up to 100W of power to keep the laptop charged during use.
Pricing reflects the hardware differences and target audiences for each dock. Belkin has priced the Thunderbolt 5 dock between $338 and $358 depending on the market. The Asus Adol HC112 launched at 329 YUAN (around $48.68), which is around $48. We looked at the Asus Adol HC112 Dock Adds 100W earlier while tracking portable dock releases. These prices set a clear boundary between premium workstation docks and budget-friendly portable accessories.
Source: GIZMOCHINA
