Latest news with #Thunderbolt
Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Two New Docking Stations On Sale For Your Apple Mac Mini M4 Computer
The new Apple Mac mini M4 is a tiny but powerful new computer from Apple and already we are seeing ... More lots of docking stations for it with plenty of expansion possibilities. If you've bought an Apple Mac mini M4, then you are probably in the market for a docking station to use with it. Apple's latest mini Mac has three Thunderbolt ports at its rear, plus two USB-C ports at the front and a headphone socket. However, it doesn't have an USB-A ports, memory card slots or any other way of expanding its connectivity. This is where a docking station comes in. There's a growing choice of them on the market for the Mac mini, so I thought I would look at a couple of newly released models to see what they offer. The two I selected both have slightly different approaches to the problem, but each has some extra ports and more storage space in the form of a slot for M.2 NVMe SSD. The first device I looked at is Ugreen's 10-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for Apple Mac mini M4. This unit works with both the basic Mac Mini M4 and the Mac Mini M4 Pro, which has Thunderbolt 5 ports. It's the same dimensions as a mac mini M4. The new Ugreen 10-in-1 docking station for the Mac mini M4 has lots of ports as well as SSD ... More expansion. Ugreen 10-in-1 Mac Mini M4 Docking Station The Ugreen docking station sits beneath the Mac mini M4 but leaves a good amount of space between the two units to allow for adequate air circulation. There is a cable that plugs into the rear of the Mac mini M4, occupying two of the Thunderbolt ports. By taking up two ports, Ugreen has managed to increase the bandwidth of the docking station so it can cope with faster speeds of data transfer. At the rear of the docking station there is a small carved out niche which makes the Mac mini M4's awkwardly placed power switch super-easy to access. That's a useful feature for those of us who like to turn our computers off at night. Also at the rear of the docking station there is a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is much more convenient if you want to plug in a pair of powered speakers into the Mac mini. You can still use the headphone jack on the front of the Mac if you want to listen with a pair of wired headphones, but the extra jack gives you options. There are ports aplenty on Ugreen's 10-in-1 docking station for Apple;s Mac mini M4. Multiple Ports And An SSD Slot There is a DisplayPort at the rear which can drive an second 4K display with a refresh rate up to 240Hz. Ugreen has also included two USB-A ports with a 10Gbps transfer speed and a sapre USB-C port with 10Gbps. That extra USB-C port means that although the docking station takes up two Thunderbolt ports, you get one back one although it's not a Thunderbolt port but you still have one of those available on the Mac Mini and Thunderbolt devices can be daisy chained. Moving around the to the front of the docking station there are two more USB-A ports rated at 10Gbps speed plus two slots for an SD and microSD memory card. That's a lot of extra connectivity and should be enough for most people's needs. Finally, the Ugreen docking station has a small hatch on its underside which opens to reveal a slot for an M.2 NVMe SSD. The slot can accommodate all sizes of M.2 SSDs and with capacities up to 8TB. There's no fan or heatsink installed, so it's probably wise to add a silicone cooling pad and choose an SSD that runs cool, such as one of the Samsung models. Some SSDs run very hot, so choose your storage wisely. The Orico Mini Pro is a tower-style docking station for the Mac mini M4 and comes with two USB-A ... More ports, two memory card slots and a chamber for accommodating an M.2 NVMe SSD. Orico MiniPro Chassis Stand The second dock for the Apple Mac Mini M4 comes in the form of the Orico MiniPro Chassis Stand. Looking a lot like a miniature version of Apple's Mac Pro, this aluminum case takes the Mac mini M4 vertically and features cutouts on the front and back for the computer's ports. The dock connects to the Mac mini M4 with a single USB cable that plugs into one of the spare computer's Thunderbolt ports. Like the Ugreen docking station, the Orico has a button for firing up the Mac mini's awkwardly placed power switch. As far as extra ports are concerned, the Orico doesn't offer quite as many options as Ugreen, but it does include two USB-A ports with speeds of 10Gbps. On the front of the case are slots for SD and microSD memory cards. That's about the limit of ports that this docking station has to offer except for its SSD chamber. On the bottom of the Orico Chassis Stand is a small door secured by a single screw. The chamber opens to reveal a slot for holding an M.2 NVMe SSD so you can expand the storage of your Mac mini M4. Apple charges a massive premium for its internal SSD storage, although it does use very fast modules that are soldered to the motherboard and provide exceptional speeds which are handy for heavy duty use like video editing. The Orico MiniPro for Apple's Mac mini M4 computer can accept an SSD up to 8TB capacity. Expand Mac Mini M4 Storage The SSD expansion can be ordered from Orico empty, leaving you free to source your own SSD or you can specify one of Orico's own SSDs which can be factory installed for you. Fitting an SSD in the slot is easy and you can add one up to a maximum of 8TB capacity. There's no active cooling built-in, so some sort of passive cooling method like a silicone pad is recommended. Both these docking stations are an easy way of adding more storage to Apple's Mac mini M4 or M4 Pro. Which docking station you choose will depend on the look you want and, more importantly, how many extra ports you need. It's probably fair to say that the Ugreen offers more expansion for the money, while the Orico has the chunky look of Apple's Mac Pro and may suit those who don't need too many extra ports. The Orico MiniPro is a miniature case for Apple's smallest desktop Mac. The Ugreen 10-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for Apple Mac mini M4 is available now from the Ugreen website and Amazon priced at $66.49 / £59.98. The Orico MiniPro Chassis Stand is available now from Orico and priced at $89.99 / £67.50. Ugreen 10-in-1 Docking Station For Mac Mini M4 Orico MiniPro
Condé Nast Traveler
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Thunderbolt — Bar Review
First impression? You walk into what looks like an open-plan living room decorated with money green walls, and weathered leather sofas. It's bright and warm, making this Echo Park spot feel both intimate and expansive. How's the crowd? Because of its location, this is a natural meeting place for a wide spectrum of bar-goers. You'll find cocktail nerds nursing their second round, rubbing shoulders with neighborhood regulars. The energy is chic and refreshingly unpretentious. How are the drinks? The cocktails have earned Thunderbolt a spot on some of the world's best bars lists, and every sip proves why. If there's food, is it worth ordering something to eat? The Southern-inspired menu features elevated comfort food that pairs nicely with the drinks. Buttermilk biscuits and mac and cheese are perfect for soaking up that second round. Did the staff do you right? The team makes technique feel effortless and expertise feel conversational. The entire experience is like being welcomed into someone's very colorful home. Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? World-class cocktails don't require pretense. You're here for precision, passion, and a vibe that makes everyone feel like a regular.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Anker's Excellent Thunderbolt 5 Dock Is 15% Off Today
If you're looking for a high-end desktop dock for your laptop, then the Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station is a great deal right now. The Thunderbolt 5 hub is on sale right now for $340 from Anker's online store and Amazon, a discount of $60 (15%) from the usual price. This docking station has a whopping 15 ports, including 10 Gbps USB Type-A and USB Type-C ports, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, a headphone/microphone combo jack, Ethernet LAN, and two downstream Thunderbolt ports. It can also charge the connected PC at up to 140W, which means most laptops won't require a separate power connection while using the dock. With this dock, you can have a multi-monitor setup with a keyboard, mouse, extra storage, wired networking, and other connections all running through a single cable. Even though it's built for Thunderbolt 5, it also supports Mac and Windows laptops with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4—you'll just be limited to whatever data bandwidth your PC can handle. My review of the Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station was published a week ago here at How-To Geek, and the dock lived up to its claims in my testing. The only issues I had were the limited USB speeds on the downstream Thunderbolt ports, and the high price—this sale fixes the second problem. You can buy the Anker dock from Amazon or Anker's online store. Both listings are priced at $340, but the Anker page requires entering the WS7DV23H75OL promo code at checkout to get the discount
Gizmodo
09-07-2025
- Gizmodo
Prime Day Turns This HP USB-C Dock Into a Practically Free Grab, Now 58% Off and stock Is Moving Fast
You can get a lot done using just a laptop, but there is an upper limit when compared to a desktop PC. Laptop screens are much smaller than a standard desktop monitor. A 17-inch laptop is pretty large when stacked up against other laptop screens, but monitors tend to be almost twice that size or in some cases, even larger. Monitors be ultra-wide, display up to 4K, and showcase a larger field of view. And with monitors, you can add in more than one for even more workspace. Plus, you can get more flexibility with your choices of keyboards and mice. Plug in speakers with 10 times the power of the dinky built-in ones on a laptop. Then when you consider accessories like headphones, microphones, webcams, drawing tablets, and more, it just isn't feasible to use them all with just a laptop. Laptops only have maybe one or two USB ports, and you're going to need much more than that. See at Amazon That's why a docking station is an absolute must for laptop users. You can create a robust work station for yourself at your desk with several displays, a separate keyboard and mouse, and spectacular speakers like you would do with a desktop PC, but without restricting yourself to only ever using your computer right there at your desk. This HP USB-C dock is an 6-in-1 adapter, working with both Thunderbolt and USB-C laptops. Amazon has it for a pretty significant discount at the time of writing. Normally, the HP USB-C dock goes for $260. Right now, it's down 58% to just $110, saving you a whole $150. The HP USB-C hub connects to your laptop over USB-C, as the name implies. Once plugged in, you can connect to more peripherals and accessories through its six other ports. On the rear of the dock, you'll find two DisplayPorts and one HDMI ports. That let's you connect to up to three external monitors or four total displays including the laptop. In addition to those, you have two USB-A ports and an Ethernet port to establish a fast and reliable connection to your network. The USB-C hub can help you avoid having a messy desk covered in tangled wires as all the connections can meet together in just one place. The docking station has a small, square design that takes up hardly any room at all. For a limited time, you can grab yourself this HP docking station for the reduced price of just $110 (-58%). See at Amazon
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
All of the waterparks in the UK mapped – with lazy rivers and wave pools in time for the hot weather
There are waterparks with areas for toddlers too SPLASH IN All of the waterparks in the UK mapped – with lazy rivers and wave pools in time for the hot weather IF you're looking for a place to escape the hot weather this week, we've got your back. From lazy rivers to wave pools, here is a round up of all the UK's waterparks to visit this weekend. 8 The UK is home to a large number of waterparks including both indoor and outdoor parks Credit: Trip Advisor Coral Reef, Bracknell Coral Reef is one of the largest interactive water worlds in England, with five waterslides, an erupting volcano and a pirate ship. The swimming pool itself features rapids, a bubble pool, a children's area and fountains. And there is even a little luxury at the park for adults, in the adults-only Coral Spa. The spa is home to three saunas, a Japanese steam room, spa pool, cool pool and even heated sun loungers. Family swim sessions with water slide access cost from £18.60 per adult and £13.20 per child. Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent Waterworld is an indoor aqua park with over 30 different rides. One ride - Thunderbolt - is also the UK's first trap door waterslide. For visitors wanting some fresh air, there's an outdoor pool too. And once you are done in the water, the site also has an Adventure Mini Golf with two 18-hole, tiki-themed golf courses. More recently the waterpark gained M Club Spa and Fitness facility as well. Scots waterpark crowned 'best in the country' to reopen in weeks Admission costs £24 per person. Alton Towers Waterpark, Staffordshire Alton Towers Resort isn't just home to rollercoasters - it also has its own waterpark. Visitors can enjoy lazy rivers, water cannons and the 'Master Blaster' water rollercoaster. Then outside there is even more, with the Bubbly Wubbly pool and Flash Floods flume ride. Tickets to the waterpark cost from £18 per person. 8 Alton Towers Resort has its own waterpark with slides and a lazy river Credit: Alamy The Wave Waterpark, Coventry The Wave Waterpark in Coventry is home to a range of attractions for a variety of ages. For example, there is a splash zone for little ones but also water slides for older kids. Tickets cost from £12.50 per person. Splashdown Poole, Dorset In Poole, Splashdown is home to 13 indoor and outdoor flume rides for visitors to venture on. One ride - named Baron's Revenge - drops riders eight metres vertically into the dark. And for younger kids, there are two under five's splash zones. Sessions cost from £19 per person. 8 There are two under five's splash zones at Splashdown in Poole Credit: Splashdown Waterpark Poole Splashdown Quaywest, Devon This isn't the only Splashdown site in the UK as there is another one further along the coast on the English Riviera in Devon. Known as Splashdown Quaywest, this site is the UK's biggest outdoor waterpark. In comparison to the Poole site, this park is home to 11 flume rides. Last year, the attraction also launched Shipwreck Island - a giant aqua-play area with slides and sprays for little ones. For parents wanting to chill whilst the kids have a splash, there is also a sun terrace. Admission costs from £19 per person, aged over nine-years-old. 8 Splashdown Quaywest in Devon is the UK's biggest outdoor waterpark Credit: Instagram/Splashdownwaterparks SC2, Rhyl in Wales SC2 waterpark in Wales includes a number of rides, a beach-style paddling pool and a number of play features. For toddlers, there is also Piranha Play with a number of interactive features including buckets, a water wheel and showers. The waterpark reopened on July 5, following a 17month closure due to storm damage. It also has new additions such as an adventure play structure inside of the Rainforest Diner cafe - which has an updated menu too. Tickets cost from £18.50 per adult and £15 per child, over the age of three. Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool Located in the popular seaside town of Blackpool, Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK's largest indoor waterpark. The waterpark has a number of family-friendly flumes - with 18 attractions overall - and it is all set inside a tropical 29C degree climate. General admission costs from £26.95 per person. 8 Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool features tropical 29C degree climate Credit: Named Waterpark Time Capsule, Scotland Reopening at the end of July following a six-month closure, Time Capsule in Scotland features a number of different slides including Tornado Tantrum and a 25metre swimming pool. Visitors can even test their strength in the Tsunami wave pool. And Cove Island is also a great spot for little kids wanting to enjoy a calmer water play. Tickets cost from £6 per child and £8.10 per adult. Center Parcs Waterparks, various Center Parcs sites across the country all feature their signature waterpark - Subtropical Swimming Paradise. Center Parcs have five sites across the UK - Longleat Forest, Whinfell Forest, Sherwood Forest, Woburn Forest and Elveden Forest. And at each park's Paradise there are a number of different attractions and various pools. For example, there are wave pools, children's pools, slides and rides - all set in a tropical world with palm trees. Day passes can be purchased for the Center Parcs sites costing from £30 per child and between £37 and £49 per adult. 8 Center Parcs sites across the country all feature their signature waterpark - Subtropical Swimming Paradise Credit: handout Butlin's waterparks, various All three Butlin's sites - in Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minhead - also have a waterpark - and you don't need to stay to access them. Butlin's Splash Waterworlds feature flumes, racing rapids, meandering rivers and shallow pools for tots. Day passes vary in price depending on which resort you are visiting. Haven waterparks, various In total, Haven operates 38 holiday parks across the UK and a number of Haven parks have great waterparks with a range of attractions. Sites like Seashore, Seton Sands, Craig Tara, Primose Valley and Hafan Y Mor are the best for waterparks, according to the holiday company itself. There are slides, flumes, lazy rivers and pools - both indoor and outdoor - to explore. You need to be staying at one of the Haven parks to use the water attractions. Alpamare, Scarborough Located in Scarborough, Alpamare is an indoor waterpark with four water slides and the Wellness at Alpamare Spa. There are also two outdoor pools, a restaurant and bar at the site. 8 Alpamare is an indoor waterpark with four water slides in Scotland Credit: Alamy Admission costs from £12 per person. Blue Lagoon Water Park, Wales Blue Lagoon Water Park is a subtropical indoor waterpark in Wales and is home to a number of slides, flumes, a lazy river and spa pools. Despite the park being closed to the general public most of the year, it does host charity open days for the public. The next open day is on October 28 and each event runs for two-and-a-half-hours from 6.30pm to 9pm. Entry costs £11.55 per person. LC Swansea, Wales The LC in Swansea is Wales' biggest indoor waterpark and boasts a number of slides and waves. In addition, there is also a lazy river, an interactive pool with a mini slide for small kids and tipping buckets. The destination runs three different kinds of sessions - Toddler Splash for ages zero to three, General Splash - a quieter session in the main pool of the waterpark - and Full Feature Sessions with the waves, lazy river and slides. Full feature sessions cost £39.50 per adult and £7.70 per child. All the lidos in the UK have also been mapped – with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even free to enter. Plus, the UK lidos, sea pools and splash pads that are free to get into – perfect for the hot weather.
