2016/2017 MacBook Pro or 2017 iMac 5K: Connecting a Display Done Easily with OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock

2017-07-20 - SEND FEEDBACK

Related: 2017 iMac 5K, 2017 MacBook Pro, 4K and 5K display, iMac, iMac 5K, laptop, MacBook, MacBook Pro, NEC, NEC PA302W, NEC professional displays, Other World Computing, OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock, Thunderbolt, video

Mac wish list • all 15" Apple MacBook Pro 2017 models • MPG gets credit if you buy through those links.
MPG tested a fully-loaded 2017 MacBook Pro with 1TB SSD.
Suggested accessories include the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock, the 1TB Envoy Pro EX.

See the MPG review of the 2017 Macbook Pro.

The 2017 MacBook Pro utilizes Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports. These are not directly compatible with most displays, such as my workhorse NEC PA302W wide gamut professional display.

The Apple Thunderbolt 3 Male to Thunderbolt 2 Female Adapter is non-functional for connecting a display; it only passes data signals, not video.

Enter the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock. Not only does it provide a Mini DisplayPort port, it provides a host of other ports as well, eliminating the dongle mess.

2016 MacBook Pro using OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock to connect NEC PA302W wide gamut display

Seen above, the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock neatly solves the display connectivity issue with its Mini DisplayPort port, charges the MacBook Pro, and provides gigabit ethernet and other ports, as shown.

OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock port layout