As a seasoned tech enthusiast and someone who juggles multiple devices daily, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Kensington SD5786T EQ dock for those who share my lifestyle. This dock has been a game-changer for me, making the process of switching between devices seamless and hassle-free.
A docking station is an accessory that doesn’t usually excite many people, yet it’s one of the top tools I always recommend for anyone using a laptop. The benefit of having a handful of extra ports cannot be understated, and finding the right hardware usually comes down to how much you want to spend as well as what sort of connectivity the dock has to offer.
For approximately a week now, I’ve been using Kensington’s newly released SD5768T Equalizer docking station as the main hub for all my devices right here on my desk.
The standout feature that sets the SD5768T EQ apart from other Thunderbolt 4 docks is not just its powerful performance and numerous ports, but particularly its Thunderbolt Share certification, which gives it an edge over rival products.
To function effectively, typically, you’d need at least one laptop boasting Intel’s Thunderbolt Share certification, such as the Razer Blade 18. However, the SD5768T EQ introduces a change to this norm. With its certification, your laptops can now interact with the Intel tool simply by possessing a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 port. This feature enables effortless control, file sharing, and more across laptops, making it a game-changer in the market.
In this analysis, I will be evaluating the dock’s performance, comparing it to similar products in the market, and determining if it’s a wise investment for you. Additionally, I have dedicated a part of my review to clarify Intel Thunderbolt Share and its significance.
Kensington SD5768T EQ: Pricing, specs, and availability
The Kensington SD5768T EQ docking station was unveiled on November 5, 2024 and is currently up for sale. As I pen this review, it can be found at B&H priced at $299.99.
Additionally, you might purchase it directly from Kensington’s official site for the same $300 cost. Soon, it is likely to become available on other online marketplaces operated by third-party retailers, considering that many of Kensington’s products tend to expand their distribution network over time.
As a tech enthusiast, I’d excitedly share that the SD5768T EQ is optimized for laptops boasting Thunderbolt 4 or 5 ports, and it’s essential to have Windows 11 installed since it’s needed for the Thunderbolt Share tool. While it’s technically compatible with Thunderbolt 3 devices due to backward compatibility, you won’t be able to fully leverage all its features without one of the latest two Thunderbolt standards.
Included in the box is the docking station, two Thunderbolt 4 cables measuring 0.8m each, and a 150W power supply unit (PSU). The dock comes with a three-year warranty, and the additional DockWorks software from Kensington is free (and optional).
Kensington SD5768T EQ: What I like
Highlights
- A varied selection of ports works well with my workflow — triple display support, up to 96W host charging, fast SD/microSD card reader.
- The dock’s low-profile design doesn’t take up much space on my desk, and it uses recycled materials.
- Kensington sells a mount separately for the dock, allowing you to tuck it away for even more space-saving.
The SD5768T EQ is built for easy setup, as evident when I initially connected it, it effortlessly identified all my frequent work tools without a hitch. My monitor displayed the right resolution and scaling, my mouse and keyboard functioned instantly, and my camera’s SD card appeared in File Explorer.
13 total ports are integrated into the dock, which includes a host Thunderbolt 4 (TB4) connection. At the front of the dock, you will find both the host TB4 interface and an additional downstream TB4 port that offers 15W charging power and 40Gbps bandwidth. These ports are designed for connecting two laptops using Thunderbolt Share; further details on this feature will be covered in the next section.
On the waterfront side of the dock, you’ll find two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 1) ports that support 5Gbps speed and 4.5W charging, as well as UHS-II SD and microSD card readers, a standard 3.5mm audio jack, and an LED power button. It’s great to know that this dock delivers up to 96W of power back to the host, which is sufficient for most laptops unless they have high-performance graphics cards installed.
At the rear end of the docking station, you’ll notice ports that get used less often due to their infrequent activity. Among them are two HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2) ports boasting a 10Gbps bandwidth and 4.5W charging capacity, a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) port offering 10Gbps data transfer speed and 7.5W of charging power, and an Ethernet connection for the internet with a speed of 1Gbps.
As a delighted user, I’d like to highlight some practical features of this dock that make it a great addition to my setup. On the right side, you’ll find two Kensington lock slots for securing it to your desk if needed. The base of the case is equipped with four anti-slip feet, ensuring stability even when I have numerous heavy cables connected. These feet perform admirably in keeping the dock steady. Furthermore, for those looking to save some desk space, the dock comes with pre-drilled holes compatible with a mounting bracket, typically priced around $25 on Amazon.
The display support might not be as top-notch as in certain docks, but the combination of dual HDMI and one Thunderbolt 4 should suffice for many users (like me). Each HDMI port is capable of powering a 4K screen at 60Hz or a 1080p screen up to 240Hz, while the Thunderbolt 4 port can handle its own 4K display with resolutions up to 120Hz. Notably, it’s ideal for an 8K display operating at a 60Hz refresh rate as well.
The SD5768T EQ from Kensington comes with a three-year warranty, surpassing the warranties provided by many other docking station manufacturers.
This device boasts a streamlined design crafted entirely from recycled aluminum and 73% recycled plastic, a feature that consistently catches my eye. The upper panel sports a Deep Space Grey finish, complete with a polished edge that leads to a slight opening for ventilation, nestled between the main body of the chassis. During operation, the dock becomes comfortably warm to the touch, yet I’ve encountered no overheating issues, even when multiple ports are in simultaneous use.
Kensington provides a more extensive warranty than many other docking station manufacturers, covering the SD5768T EQ for three years. Moreover, they offer their DockWorks software free of charge to all users, enhancing functionalities such as automatic switching between Wi-Fi and LAN based on connected devices, plus additional features like MAC Address passthrough and remote management tools for resetting purposes. However, it’s worth noting that the dock functions effectively even without installing this software; I only did so after several days of testing.
Kensington SD5768T EQ: Thunderbolt Share
Highlights
- The SD5768T EQ’s dedicated certification means your laptops don’t need their own Thunderbolt Share licensing.
- Thunderbolt Share is a powerful tool that works a lot better than I was expecting.
In my opinion, what makes Kensington’s SD5768T EQ stand out is that it features Thunderbolt Share certification. This technology was showcased by Intel at its Tech Tour in Taipei back in June 2024, and since then, it has been integrated into the Razer Blade 18.
Intel’s Thunderbolt Share is a novel feature that enables recent-model laptops to exchange data directly using the full capacity of Thunderbolt 4 or 5. To do this, you need at least one laptop that has been certified for Thunderbolt Share. Unfortunately, the scarcity of such certified laptops, as of now, presents a significant hurdle.
As an analyst, I find that having a dock with Thunderbolt Share certification significantly expands my choices when it comes to selecting laptops. Since this dock’s certification handles the requirement, individual laptops no longer need to be certified separately, thereby offering more flexibility in my selection process.
With the Kensington SD5768T EQ dock, you’re not bound by laptop certification requirements anymore. Thanks to its Thunderbolt Share certification, it significantly broadens your options. I personally found it functional even with two uncertified laptops, and I was so impressed that I penned a standalone article detailing my hands-on impressions of Thunderbolt Share.
This device may not be essential for everyone, but for someone like me who often works on multiple laptops simultaneously, it proves quite handy.
Thunderbolt Share offers four primary features:
In my tech-loving perspective, the near-imperceptible latency and swift data transfers between PCs are truly jaw-dropping! I’m excited to leverage this technology in all the opportunities that come my way. For me, it’ll be particularly handy when testing laptops, but for many others, it will undoubtedly prove beneficial for multitasking and teamwork projects.
Kensington SD5768T EQ: What I don’t like
Highlights
- An additional downstream Thunderbolt 4 port would be appreciated.
- The 1Gbps Ethernet hookup won’t be enough for some users.
As a tech-savvy individual, I had an exceptional experience with the Kensington SD5768T EQ dock throughout my trial run. However, I did come across a handful of minor issues that I thought were worth mentioning.
Typically, I like the host connection positioned at the back of the dock for neater cable organization. However, it’s placed at the front in this case, which makes it more convenient to connect, yet it’s a port that isn’t frequently accessed after initial use.
The dock won’t work standing upright without the addition of a bracket (which is sold separately). Some docks offer versatility in orientation due to their design and extra components. While it’s not a major issue, those with restricted desktop space may find it necessary to purchase the bracket.
Moving onto some substantial concerns, a 1Gbps Ethernet port appears somewhat limited on a $300 dock. Upgrading to a more powerful port that can handle faster speeds would greatly enhance the user experience.
In summary, one potential challenge could be the Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Since there’s only one downstream TB4 port on the dock, using Thunderbolt Share with two computers may leave you without additional ports for other devices or peripherals, including an extra external monitor if Kensington intends to use the downstream TB4 port for a third screen. If simultaneous usage of Thunderbolt Share and three monitors is essential, your setup might necessitate some adjustments or reconfiguration.
Kensington SD5768T EQ: Final thoughts
You should buy this if …
✅ You can utilize the Intel Thunderbolt Share feature on any laptops featuring Thunderbolt 4 or 5, regardless of their certification status.
✅ Your laptops are new enough to include Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5.
✅ Your external monitors have HDMI connections.
You should not buy this if …
❌ Your PC lacks a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 connection.
❌ You need more than one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port.
❌ You have no use for a tool like Intel’s Thunderbolt Share.
Regarding the premier Thunderbolt 4 docks currently available, my review of CalDigit’s TS4 still holds the throne. The Kensington SD5780T comes in at a strong second place, particularly appealing if budget is a concern. Both these docks received a Windows Central Best Award from me, making them top choices for many contemporary laptop users.
Instead of waiting for individual laptop certifications to use Intel Thunderbolt Share, the Kensington SD5786T EQ is an excellent choice for those seeking immediate benefits. While it has minor limitations such as only one downstream Thunderbolt 4 port and a 1Gbps Ethernet port, this dock generally delivers quality performance in all tests conducted.
This item isn’t inexpensive, priced around $300, so I wouldn’t suggest it for casual computer users. But for people who frequently collaborate or switch between multiple systems, it could turn out to be incredibly handy.
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2024-12-17 17:39