Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station User Manual

1. Introduction

The Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station is an Intel-certified, high-performance solution designed to expand the connectivity of your Thunderbolt 4 enabled laptop. This docking station provides a wide array of ports for high-speed data transfer, supports advanced display configurations, and delivers efficient power to your host device.

With a single Thunderbolt 4 cable connection, this dock transforms your laptop into a powerful workstation, supporting up to a single 8K display or dual 4K displays, along with multiple USB devices, network connectivity, and memory card access.

Figure 1: Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with connected laptop.

2. Package Contents

Please verify that all items are present in the package:

• 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
• 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Cable (2.25 ft)
• 1 x Power Adapter (20V/6.75A - 135W)
• 1 x Type B Power Cord (North America)
• 1 x Type E/F Power Cord (Europeans)
• 1 x User Guide (This document)

3. Product Features

• Intel Certified Thunderbolt 4 docking station supporting full 40 Gbps bandwidth for high-speed data transfer, 8K video, and power delivery.
• Equipped with 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 port, 3x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type A ports, 1x USB 2.0 Type A port, 1x SD 4.0 UHS-II card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio combo jack, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
• Supports up to single 8K@30Hz or dual UHD 4K@60Hz external monitors using any two ports of the available DisplayPort 1.4 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
• Charges the host device at up to 96W Power Delivery. Also supports power to peripherals at 15W on Thunderbolt 4 ports, and charging on USB Type-A ports.
• Fully compatible with Microsoft Windows 10 (RS4 and above) Thunderbolt 4 enabled laptops (Intel Evo Platforms) and macOS 11 (Big Sur and newer) MacBooks Pro and MacBook Air with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports.

4. System Requirements

To ensure optimal performance, your host device must meet the following requirements:

• Microsoft Windows 10 (RS4 and above) Thunderbolt™ 4 enabled laptops (Intel Evo Platforms)
• macOS 11 (Big Sur and newer) MacBooks Pro and MacBook Air with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports
• Note for Apple M1 MacBooks: Only one video output is supported due to M1 architecture limitations.

5. Setup Instructions

Follow these steps to set up your Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station:

1. Connect Power: Connect the included power adapter to the 'Power In' port on the rear of the docking station and then plug the power adapter into a wall outlet. The docking station will power on automatically.
2. Connect to Host Device: Use the included Thunderbolt 4 cable to connect the 'Upstream / Source Thunderbolt™ 4 (96W PD)' port on the front of the docking station to a Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 port on your laptop.
3. Connect Peripherals: Refer to the port diagram below and connect your desired peripherals:

Figure 2: Front and Rear Port Layout of the Docking Station.

• Displays: Connect your monitors to the 'DisplayPort 1.4' port and/or the downstream 'Thunderbolt™ 4' ports. The dock supports single 8K@30Hz or dual 4K@60Hz displays.
• USB Devices: Connect USB peripherals such as keyboards, mice, external hard drives, or webcams to the 'USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A' ports (rear) or the 'USB 2.0 Type A' port (front).
• Ethernet: Connect an Ethernet cable from your network router or switch to the 'Gigabit Ethernet Port' for a stable wired network connection.
• Audio: Plug your headphones or speakers into the '3.5 mm Audio Jack' on the front.
• SD Card: Insert an SD card into the 'SD 4.0 UHS-II Card Slot' for fast data transfer.

Figure 3: Example of a Windows setup with dual external monitors.

Figure 4: Example of a macOS setup with dual external monitors.

6. Operating Instructions

Once connected, your operating system should automatically detect the docking station and connected peripherals. You may need to adjust display settings within your operating system.

Display Configuration:

• Single Display: Connect one monitor to either the DisplayPort 1.4 or one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports for resolutions up to 8K@30Hz.
• Dual Displays: Connect two monitors using any combination of the DisplayPort 1.4 and the two Thunderbolt 4 ports. This configuration supports resolutions up to 4K@60Hz on both displays.
• macOS M1/M2/M3 (Apple Silicon): Please note that Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 chips) natively support only one external display. To achieve dual external displays with these Macs, a DisplayLink-enabled adapter or dock is typically required, which this dock does not utilize. This dock will support one external display with M1/M2/M3 Macs.

Power Delivery:

The docking station provides up to 96W of Power Delivery to your connected laptop via the upstream Thunderbolt 4 port. This allows you to charge your laptop while using the dock, eliminating the need for a separate laptop charger.

Data Transfer:

The Thunderbolt 4 ports offer a bandwidth of 40 Gbps, enabling rapid data transfer for external storage devices. The USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A ports provide speeds up to 10 Gbps, and the SD 4.0 UHS-II card reader ensures quick access to memory card data.

7. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your docking station, follow these maintenance guidelines:

• Keep the device in a clean, dry environment, away from excessive heat, humidity, and direct sunlight.
• Avoid blocking the ventilation slots on the sides of the docking station to prevent overheating.
• Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol sprays.
• Handle cables and connectors gently to prevent damage.
• Disconnect the power adapter when the device is not in use for extended periods.

8. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your docking station, refer to the following common troubleshooting steps:

• No Power/Dock Not Turning On: Ensure the power adapter is securely connected to both the dock and a working wall outlet. Try a different outlet if necessary.
• No Display Output:
  • Verify that the Thunderbolt 4 cable is securely connected between the dock and your laptop.
  • Check that display cables (DisplayPort, Thunderbolt to DisplayPort/HDMI) are firmly connected to both the dock and the monitors.
  • Ensure your monitors are powered on and set to the correct input source.
  • Update your laptop's graphics drivers and Thunderbolt drivers.
  • For Apple M1/M2/M3 MacBooks, remember that only one external display is natively supported by the chip architecture.
  • If using a Microsoft Surface Pro 9, some users have reported issues with dual monitor support through the dock. Ensure your Surface Pro drivers are up to date.
• USB Devices Not Working:
  • Try connecting the USB device to a different USB port on the dock.
  • Ensure the device drivers are installed on your laptop.
  • Disconnect and reconnect the docking station from your laptop.
• Ethernet Connection Issues:
  • Check the Ethernet cable connection at both ends.
  • Verify network settings on your laptop.
  • Restart your router/modem.
• Laptop Not Charging: Ensure your laptop supports Power Delivery via its Thunderbolt port and that the dock is properly connected to the laptop's Thunderbolt port.

If problems persist after following these steps, please contact Accell customer support.

9. Specifications

10. Warranty and Support

This Accell Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station comes with a 1-Year Limited Warranty from the date of purchase. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.

For technical support, troubleshooting assistance, or warranty inquiries, please visit the official Accell website or contact their customer service department. Contact information can typically be found on the Accell website or product packaging.

WARNING: This product may expose chemical such as Bisphenol A (BPA) that is known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm. For more information, please go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.