Peripheral manufacturer OWC has launched a Thunderbolt 5 docking station, featuring three TH5 ports and one USB-A port.

Apple has introduced the Thunderbolt 5 port in select Mac Mini and MacBook models equipped with the M4 series chips. Although not all models come with this feature, users can opt for a Thunderbolt 5-supported version at the time of purchase.

Thunderbolt 5 boasts bidirectional speeds of 80Gbps and can also operate in a 120Gbps bandwidth mode for connecting high-resolution displays. However, Thunderbolt 5 accessories are still in their infancy.

OWC, a peripheral manufacturer, has released a docking station based on Thunderbolt 5. This marks the second publicly available dock of its kind on the market, following Kensington's introduction of the SD5000T5 dock in October, which also supports the Thunderbolt 5 protocol.

The OWC Thunderbolt 5 dock transforms a single TH5 port into three TH5 ports and one USB-A port, allowing for the connection of up to three 8K resolution displays with additional power supply.

The dock itself supports up to 140W of power delivery, enabling direct charging when connected to a MacBook Pro, thus eliminating the need for a separate MacBook Pro charger.

Offering only one USB-A port is a bold move, considering some users still utilize USB-A devices. The latest Mac Mini models have completely removed the USB-A ports, signaling a demand for USB-A expansion among some users.

In terms of compatibility, Thunderbolt 5 is backward compatible, with its USB-C/A ports widely supporting various devices. For example, if a Thunderbolt 4 external hard drive is connected, it can transfer data at the speed of the Thunderbolt 4 protocol.

Priced at $189.99, the OWC dock is not cheap, reflecting the typical market prices for peripherals supporting the latest protocols. It is now available for pre-order, with shipping slated for December.