The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    17R4 Thunderbolt dock?

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by eadgar, Jun 25, 2017.

  1. eadgar

    eadgar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    135
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Does anyone know of a good Thunderbolt dock for the 17R4? Apart from the Amplifier, of course.

    I'm mainly looking for extra USB ports since it only has 2 full size ones. An SD card reader would be nice. And ideally it should be usable as a raising stand (not a full size stand, but one that lifts the back of the laptop so that more air can get underneath).

    So far I've found this (meant for MacBook and has more ports than I need) and this.
     
  2. shadowyani

    shadowyani Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    214
    Messages:
    791
    Likes Received:
    137
    Trophy Points:
    56
  3. eadgar

    eadgar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    135
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Yeah, that one would be ok if I just needed some extra ports, but I also want to raise the laptop to improve air circulation. I've noticed there's a 10C difference when the laptop's back is raised.
     
  4. shadowyani

    shadowyani Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    214
    Messages:
    791
    Likes Received:
    137
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I haven't seen any docks that are designed in that way anymore. For all practical purposes they simply look like very large hubs with no consideration for supporting weight.
     
  5. InvoluntorySoul

    InvoluntorySoul Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    145
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    41
    most usb-c hubs are designed for macbook which means short cables, better to get a usb3 hub with detachable cable and a usb3 to usb-c cable with your desired length.
     
  6. eadgar

    eadgar Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    6
    Messages:
    135
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Decided to try this https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01MQRGMD0
    It should be able to raise the laptop back and still reach the port.

    UPDATE:

    It actually does exactly what I expected it to do. It raises the laptop, has enough power for at least the 4 devices I have plugged in right now, and stops at the middle rubber foot so has a very small chance of moving around. The cable is long enough to reach the TB port which provides all the power, I don't need to plug it into a wall socket.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2017