Kensington’s SD7100T5 EQ Pro includes my new favorite (and rare) feature found in Thunderbolt 5 docks

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As a tech enthusiast, I’m really excited about Kensington’s new release – the SD7100T5 EQ Pro Thunderbolt 5 dock! It works with both Windows and Macs, and it’s not just about connecting monitors. Sure, it can handle up to three 4K displays at a super smooth 144Hz, but it’s a full-featured dock that does a whole lot more than that.

This device includes a space for an M.2 SSD, pre-installed mounting points, and plenty of ports, suggesting Kensington is aiming to compete with high-end docks like the CalDigit TS5 Plus and Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma, both of which I previously reviewed.

Does the Kensington SD7100T5 EQ Pro Thunderbolt 5 docking station deliver good value for its price, and how does it compare to other high-end docking stations currently available?

Kensington provided us with a sample of this product for review. However, they didn’t have any influence on the review’s content and hadn’t seen it before it was published.

Kensington’s SD7100T5 EQ Pro competes with the best Thunderbolt 5 docks

The SD7100T5 EQ Pro represents a design shift for Kensington docks, moving away from the style I’d seen with their Thunderbolt 4 models. This new Thunderbolt 5 dock is physically different – it’s wider, shallower, and a bit thicker, and it only works when positioned horizontally.

If you want to mount it, Kensington offers brackets that easily attach thanks to pre-drilled holes on the dock’s underside. The dock’s outer shell is made from 97% recycled aluminum, making it both durable and stylish. Plus, even without a fan, it hasn’t overheated during my testing.

Thunderbolt 5 is so fast that it makes high-speed M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs practical. I tested one using the SSD slot on Razer’s Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma and found it incredibly useful – I immediately didn’t want to go back! Fortunately, the SD7100T5 EQ Pro supports these fast drives as well.

Removing just one screw on the side lets you lift off the top panel, revealing a space for an SSD with included thermal pads and a screw for securing it. Installation was quick – around two minutes – and then the storage drive is accessible from any device you connect. This is a great solution for sharing large files or keeping important data safe without needing to use cloud storage.

I tested an SK hynix Platinum P41 drive and got read speeds of 5,810 MB/s and write speeds of 5,400 MB/s when using it with a docking station. When connected directly to my computer, the drive was faster, reaching 7,150 MB/s read and 6,790 MB/s write speeds. The slight speed decrease with the dock is a reasonable compromise for the added convenience.

The dock worked immediately with my computer – I didn’t have to install anything. I simply switched the cables from my old Razer dock to the new Kensington dock, connected it to my laptop, and everything worked seamlessly.

To use the two buttons on top of the dock, you’ll need to download the Kensington Konnect app. By default, the left button locks your computer, and the right button opens Copilot in your web browser. The app lets you change what each button does – you can even create custom shortcuts. I haven’t found another dock that offers this level of customization.

I didn’t need to install any drivers or software to get the dock working with my PC.

Kensington’s SD7100T5 EQ Pro dock is marketed as having 19 ports, but this number includes the port that connects to your computer (Thunderbolt 5) and an internal slot for M.2 drives. So, the actual number of usable ports is less than advertised.

This dock offers 17 different ports for connecting things like monitors, storage, and other accessories. On the front, you’ll find one Thunderbolt 5 port, two USB-C 3.2 ports, and two USB-A 3.2 ports. One of the USB-C ports can deliver 30 watts of power, while the other provides 7.5 watts. All of the USB-A ports, both on the front and back, supply 4.5 watts of power.

As a researcher, I’ve been investigating the new Thunderbolt 5 connection, and I’m impressed by its power delivery capabilities. It can provide up to 140W to keep even demanding laptops fully charged while connected. What’s even more interesting is the Kensington KonstantCharge feature – it ensures connected devices continue to receive power even when not plugged into a computer. This is a significant benefit for maintaining consistent power to peripherals.

The front of the dock also includes fast UHS-II SD, microSD, and CF card readers, which are incredibly useful for photographers and video editors who work directly from their computers.

On the back of the dock, you’ll find two Thunderbolt 5 ports for connecting devices, along with two USB-A 3.2 ports, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, an optical audio output, and standard 3.5mm audio jacks for headphones and microphones. It also includes the main Thunderbolt 5 connection for your computer. For those needing even faster network speeds, the CalDigit TS5 Plus offers 10Gb Ethernet, while the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma is limited to 1Gb Ethernet.

I’m very happy with how the ports are arranged. The card readers are conveniently located on the front, while the Thunderbolt ports for connecting displays are on the back. Plus, there’s a nice selection of both USB-C and USB-A ports on both sides of the device.

Cutting-edge external display support makes it easy to create the ultimate desktop

The Kensington SD7100T5 EQ Pro, similar to other top-of-the-line Thunderbolt 5 docks, doesn’t directly connect to video displays. This highlights the strength of the Thunderbolt 5 technology, but it likely means you’ll need an adapter if you have older monitors that don’t use the USB-C connection Thunderbolt relies on.

I haven’t been able to test it myself, but Kensington claims this dock can power up to three 4K monitors, each with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, when used with a computer that has Thunderbolt 5.

With two 8K monitors, you can enjoy a smooth 60Hz refresh rate on both—but this is only when using a Windows computer. If you’re using a Mac, the dock will support two 6K displays at 60Hz maximum. Personally, I’m able to connect one ultrawide monitor (3440×1440) and a 4K screen without any problems.

When connected to a Thunderbolt 4 computer, this dock can handle one 8K monitor at 60Hz, or two 4K monitors at the same refresh rate. It doesn’t support setups with three displays.

Is the Kensington SD7100T5 EQ Pro overpriced?

Kensington’s new SD7100T5 EQ Pro dock costs around $450. While that’s a significant price, it falls between the less expensive CalDigit TS5 Plus and the more premium Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma.

The Razer dock costs around $400 and also includes a slot for a fast M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD. While it doesn’t offer as many different types of ports, it compensates with customizable RGB lighting and the ability to share Thunderbolt connections.

The CalDigit TS5 Plus typically costs around $500 and offers useful features like 10Gb Ethernet and two USB controllers. However, it doesn’t have a built-in slot for M.2 SSDs, which I really appreciate in a device like this, and it also lacks Thunderbolt Share functionality.

Kensington has released a new Thunderbolt 5 dock that offers a solid balance of features, placing it between the premium options from Razer and CalDigit and providing PC users with another excellent choice.

Kensington SD7100T5 EQ Pro review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

  • You have a laptop with Thunderbolt 5, or you plan on getting one soon.
  • You have multiple displays that you’d like to easily connect to your laptop.
  • You don’t mind spending ~$450 on a single laptop accessory.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You don’t have a laptop with Thunderbolt 5 or, the bare minimum, Thunderbolt 4.
  • You don’t usually use a lot of accessories or external displays with your laptop.
  • You don’t have any use for a built-in M.2 slot for additional storage.

Docking stations might not be glamorous, but they can really streamline how you work. I’ve used one with my laptop for ten years, and I can’t imagine going back to plugging in a bunch of different adapters and dongles.

The Kensington SD7100T5 EQ Pro is a great choice for demanding users. It offers a good price, feels well-made, has plenty of ports, includes a slot for fast M.2 SSDs, and comes with a three-year warranty – all while being simple to use. We highly recommend it to those who can take advantage of its many features.

If you’re looking for a good docking station without spending a fortune, I recommend checking out my list of the best ones we’ve tested.

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2025-11-18 15:11