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Thunderbolt 5 is a part of the newest laptop line-ups, whether we are ready for it or not. TB5 has incredible speeds, excellent reliability, and a plethora of other features that make it great. However, if your laptop has Thunderbolt 5, why wouldn’t you want your docking station to support it so that you can take advantage of all the speed?
The FusionDock Pro 3 from iVanky is a single dock with two styles. They have the tower design and the deck design. The tower is designed to stand upright, much like the old Nintendo Wii. And the deck style looks about like every other docking station you may think of.
I grabbed the deck model because it would fit better into my workspace area. This model features three Thunderbolt 5 ports, a port for connecting to the laptop, 140W charging, a 2.5GbE network, multiple USB-A ports, an SD Card reader, and a headphone jack. Overall, this adds 11 ports to your MacBook Pro, Dell Pro, Lenovo, or any other laptop you may have.
Like just about all of the best docking stations supporting TB5, one thing to note right off the bat is that you can use this dock with any USB-C-enabled device; however, you won’t get full-speed functionality unless your machine has a Thunderbolt 5 port available.
iVANKY FusionDock Pro 3: Pricing and Availability
The FusionDock Pro 3, as a tower, is a whopping $459 on iVANKY’s website. The deck that I grabbed is $439.99 on the same website, making a powerful docking station a tad more palatable.
You can purchase this newly released docking station from iVanky’s website, Amazon, or B&H.
iVANKY FusionDock Pro 3: Unboxing & first impressions
The FusionDock Pro 3 is a plain-looking device. However, it feels substantial and durable, with a weighty feel. Additionally, the metallic casing gives it a sturdy feel, suggesting it can withstand a few hits and bumps without breaking.
One thing that shocked me was the size of the power brick, but then again, it can output power to my laptop at up to 140W, so I shouldn’t be too surprised that it has a hefty power brick.
iVANKY FusionDock Pro 3: Design & Build Quality
Specs
Ports: 3x TB5, 4x USB-A, 1x RJ45, 1x SD card, 1x Audio Jack,
Ethernet: 2.5GbE
PD: 140 W upstream, 60 W downstream PD
The FusionDock Pro 3 features a simple, matte metallic shell with a matte black plastic front and back, housing the ports. The port layout is straightforward and thought through. While my personal preference for the desk setup determines whether I prefer the cable connecting to the computer to be in the front or the back of the dock, for this one, it’s positioned up front.
On the front of the dock, we have (from left to right) the power button, some indicator lights, the 140W port for the laptop or computer, a TB5 port, a USB-A port, the SD Card reader, and then the headphone jack. That all makes a lot of sense to have readily accessible on the front, and I’m happy to see a TB5 on the front. Too many docks have those hidden away in the back only.
On the back of the dock is a row of three USB-A ports, an RJ45 port, two TB5 ports, and then the barrel connector. I am not a fan of barrel connectors, so I understand why some docks still use them.
Some other features worth mentioning are the rubber pads on the bottom side of the dock, which help prevent sliding, and the numerous ventilation holes that keep the device cool while it’s working hard.
iVANKY FusionDock Pro 3: In use
I recently purchased an M4 Pro MacBook Pro, which features the TB5 port, making me all the more excited to try this docking station out. In addition, a handful of the laptops I have in for testing (reviews coming soon) also feature Thunderbolt 5. In my testing, I was able to transfer files back and forth between my laptop and my Synology BeeStation as well as my Synology DS925+.
I was able to set up an entire workstation through a single dock, without feeling like I was missing anything. I tested single-monitor setups, dual-monitor setups, and, using one of the laptops I have, even a triple-monitor setup with just this dock. I did have to use an adapter for one of the monitors, though, which is an important thing to note.
This docking station, since it doesn’t have an HDMI or DP port, will need adapters to connect non-USB-C displays. Many of the newer monitors are compatible, but if it’s not a new one, you’ll need to obtain an HDMI to USB-C or DisplayPort to USB-C adapter or dongle.
During testing, especially when running triple displays or transferring large files, the docking station did get a bit warm, but it never became too hot, nor did it activate a fan or any other similar mechanism. Watching that little dock do so much and all at speeds that didn’t feel possible a mere few years ago was impressive.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Design |
Sleek and clean |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Ease of use |
Easy to use once and setup |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Practicality |
Practical for TB5 Users |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Price |
Expensive, but fair |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
iVANKY FusionDock Pro 3: Final verdict
The iVanky FusionDock Pro 3 is an impressive Thunderbolt 5 docking station, available at a brand-new price with cutting-edge technology. If you don’t need Thunderbolt 5, a different, more cost-effective dock may be better suited for you. However, if you have Thunderbolt 5 in your computer and need to maximize transfer speeds, then this is a spectacular choice in a docking station for you.
