The UGREEN Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docking station is a flagship hub designed for power users who need both raw connectivity and onboard storage expansion. The U716 model launches with 17 ports, a built-in 8TB M.2 NVMe slot, and 120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth—double the speed of Thunderbolt 4. At a launch discount bringing it to around $390, it undercuts premium competitors like the CalDigit TS5 Plus.
Key Takeaways
- 17 ports include dual Thunderbolt 5 downstream USB-C with video output, plus 6 USB-A 10Gbps ports
- Built-in M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 slot supports up to 8TB SSD storage expansion
- 120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth enables dual 6K or single 8K display support on macOS
- 240W total system power with 140W upstream charging to host device
- Launch discount drops price to $389–$399, undercutting rival docks
Port Count and Connectivity: What You Actually Get
The Thunderbolt 5 docking station delivers 17 ports across multiple standards. The upstream connection uses a built-in Thunderbolt 5 host cable, while two downstream Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports support video output. Three additional USB-C 10Gbps ports join six USB-A 10Gbps ports split between front and rear panels. A DisplayPort 2.1 connector, 2.5GbE Ethernet jack, and 3.5mm audio combo jack round out the wired options. SD and microSD card readers offer 312MB/s and 170MB/s transfer speeds respectively.
This port diversity matters. Power users juggling external monitors, external drives, and peripherals get genuine flexibility without daisy-chaining multiple hubs. The Thunderbolt 5 docking station’s layout separates high-speed ports from legacy USB-A connections, so older devices do not bottleneck newer ones.
The M.2 Storage Slot Changes the Game
What separates this Thunderbolt 5 docking station from rivals is the built-in M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 slot supporting up to 8TB SSD expansion. For video editors, photographers, and developers, this eliminates the need for a separate external drive enclosure. You get storage and hub functionality in a single device.
The dock includes hybrid active and passive cooling with aluminum and zinc alloy housing, internal heatsinks, and temperature sensors for 24/7 stable operation. This matters because sustained M.2 writes generate heat. Passive-only designs throttle under load; this dock does not.
CalDigit’s TS5 Plus lacks onboard storage entirely, forcing users to buy a separate enclosure if they want portable SSD expansion. That is a $100–$200 additional cost and extra desk clutter.
Thunderbolt 5 Bandwidth and Display Support
The Thunderbolt 5 docking station delivers up to 120Gbps unidirectional or 80Gbps bidirectional bandwidth. On macOS, you get single 8K@60Hz or dual 6K@60Hz display support. Windows users can drive up to three independent displays. Apple M5 Pro and Max machines unlock dual 8K@60Hz or triple 4K@144Hz.
This is overkill for most users but essential for creative professionals. A single 8K monitor at 60Hz demands 80Gbps of bandwidth; add a second 6K display and you are pushing the limits of older Thunderbolt 4 docks. The Thunderbolt 5 docking station handles it without breaking a sweat.
The dock supplies 140W of upstream charging to your host device via USB PD 3.1, plus 60W from two front USB-C ports. That is enough to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro and power an external SSD simultaneously.
Launch Pricing and Availability
UGREEN prices the Thunderbolt 5 docking station at $499.99, but launch discounts drop it to $398.99 at checkout or $389 with promo codes UL85590F or UL75795F on the UGREEN US site and Amazon. Shipping is estimated March 27–31 as of current availability.
That pricing is aggressive. The CalDigit TS5 Plus typically costs $599 or more. For $200 less, you get M.2 storage, Thunderbolt 5, and nearly identical port count. UGREEN is betting on volume and brand recognition over margin here.
The smaller 10-in-1 variant costs $299.99 with a 16% discount. It drops the M.2 slot and DisplayPort, opting for 1GbE Ethernet instead of 2.5GbE, but still delivers 120Gbps Thunderbolt 5 and dual 8K or 6K display support. That model targets budget-conscious users who do not need extra storage.
What This Dock Lacks
The Thunderbolt 5 docking station omits higher-speed Ethernet like 5GbE or 10GbE. For a $399 flagship, that is a missed opportunity. Network-attached storage workflows or video streaming setups would benefit from faster LAN. You get 2.5GbE, which is adequate but not latest.
There is also a minor discrepancy in port counts across UGREEN’s own specs—some sources list 16 total ports, others 17. Clarification from UGREEN would help, though the functional difference is negligible.
Is the Thunderbolt 5 docking station worth buying?
If you need onboard SSD expansion, multiple high-speed displays, and Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth, yes. The built-in M.2 slot alone justifies the purchase for creative professionals. The launch discount makes it a no-brainer against CalDigit.
Does the Maxidok support three displays on macOS?
No. macOS supports single 8K@60Hz or dual 6K@60Hz on this Thunderbolt 5 docking station. Windows and Apple M5 Pro/Max machines unlock triple display support with different refresh rate combinations.
Can I upgrade the M.2 storage after purchase?
Yes. The M.2 NVMe slot accepts standard PCIe Gen4 drives up to 8TB. You can swap or upgrade the drive anytime without opening the dock’s housing.
The UGREEN Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docking station is not perfect—it needs faster Ethernet and clearer port documentation. But for power users who combine high-speed displays, external storage, and multiple peripherals, it delivers rare functionality at an aggressive price. The launch discount makes it the smart choice over premium rivals.
Where to Buy
$499.99 at Amazon | $499.99 at Amazon | Amazon | retails for $499.99
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Windows Central
