Microsoft introduced yesterday its latest Surface Dock with Thunderbolt 4, which now uses a USB-C port to connect to Surface devices instead of Microsoft’s proprietary Surface Connect port. The Surface Thunderbolt 4 dock should be a good companion device for the latest Surface devices that also support Thunderbolt 4, and it’s also compatible with Windows OEM devices and Apple Macs.
The new Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock is already available for purchase at the Microsoft Store where it’s priced at $299.99. It allows users to connect up to two 4K monitors at up to 60Hz, transfer data with up to 40Gbps speeds, and charge laptops using up to 96W of power.
Thanks to Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 support, this new Surface Dock supports higher data transfer speeds and there are also built-in management and security features for enterprise users.
Surface Thunderbolt 4 dock ports
Microsoft’s latest Surface Dock is slightly slimmer than previous models, and it also features a more inclusive design with raised tactile indicators above the rear ports. In addition to the main USB4/Thunderbolt 4 USB-C cable that supports up to 96 watts of power passthrough, there is one USB-C port and one USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 on the front of the dock.
On the back, there are 2 USB-C ports, 2 USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, and a DC power port. All USB-C ports on the dock support high-speed USB4/Thunderbolt 4, and all USB-A ports are USB 3.1 Gen 2.
Cable Matters will also offer a desk mount that’s certified for the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock, which can help to save desk space and provides easier access to the various ports. However, pricing and availability details for this third-party accessory are still unknown
Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock has built-in management features
Just like previous Surface Dock models, the Surface Dock with Thunderbolt 4 will support automatic firmware updates via Windows Update or the Surface app. Driver and firmware updates will also be available to download from the Microsoft Download Center.
The Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock supports MAC address passthrough for maintaining device network identity across docks. It also supports Wake on LAN from Modern Standby, which allows devices to stay connected while in a low-power state.
IT pros can also use Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM) to lock down specific ports on the dock, and they can also use Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to manage firmware updates, policy state, and related data remotely. These enterprise management and security features are only available with Surface devices.
Microsoft will continue to sell its existing Surface Dock and Surface Dock 2 for customers who need a dock that’s compatible with Microsoft’s proprietary Surface Connect port. However, the move to USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 on the latest model should be very welcome.