Comments on: $250 Matrox DS1 is Your New (or First, At Least) Apple Thunderbolt to Multi-Peripheral Hub

By: Heiko

Heiko — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 14:07:09 +0000

Apple has always been like that: when they adopt a new technology, the old one gets ditched pretty abruptly. Users then are wining for a little while, but then at some point they just buy new stuff and like it :)

It is not easy to switch to new technologies. In the Windows world things are mostly going too slow because nobody wants to make the first step. Without Apple, Thunderbolt would be nowhere right now, so actually I think Apple is doing the right thing. At some point you just have to make a cut and ditch the old crap. It may hurt for a little while, but then everything becomes better quickly :)

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:54:34 +0000

I’m in the same boat – new MBPr and would LOVE a good hub but this isn’t it unfortunately. Why this thing doesn’t include FW is beyond me. And another TB port at least. Belkin has the right idea but who knows when theirs is coming out. And damn it’s pricey! Still, to be able to connect everything through a single port makes it close enough to worth it for me to buy.

By: Franco

Franco — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:50:04 +0000

Why does Apple do this? They created a bunch of new computers that are pretty much useless to pro’s. I applaude Matrox for trying but no eSata? And while esata might be going out, how many of us are sitting on very expensive storage towers that only operate on eSata? And the best part is none of my new computers will connect to it, and not only that but how do I get all the data off of these legacy machines? And I use legacy with tongue in cheek as mine is only a year old..

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:07:06 +0000

Swested, look carefully at the font view picture, you will see a “SuperSpeed USB 3.0″ port.

Firewire and e-SATA are on their way out, so my guess is that Matrox decided not to include them since users will most likely not rely on those standards in the future.

As for the lack of Thunderbolt passthrough, I truly do not see the big deal; just place whatever equipment you have before this dock. I have received my DS1 with HDMI output yesterday, I have connected it after my Thunderbolt hard drive and a Thunderbolt expansion chassis. When I leave my desk, I disconnect the Thunderbolt cable from my MacBook Air, and all my peripherals including my keyboard, mouse, network and display (all connected to this Matrox DS1) are disconnected. When I get back, I connect that one cable back, and all my peripherals are back online in a second!

By: Thyl Engelhardt

Thyl Engelhardt — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:59:28 +0000

Seems this box is for Macbook Air and similar ultrabooks. Those lack Ethernet, USB2 (as the latest have -admittedly compatible- USB3), and micor in.

By: Swested

Swested — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:24:06 +0000

While I applaud SOMEONE for making a device for Thunderbolt, there are so many missed opportunities with this, it’s somewhat baffling. No USB 3.0? No FW or eSATA? At least one T-bolt pass through?

By: that guy

that guy — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:53:47 +0000

I believe that I saw a sample set-up which showed the Thunderbolt output from a MBP going to external storage (with Thunderbolt pass-through) and out from that into the Matrox unit. That seems to be the way they intended it to be used, and why there’s no second Tbolt port.

By: Tulio

Tulio — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:38:09 +0000

Are they nuts? why not create a single model with a switch to DVI / HDMI? What a waste of manufacturing costs. And WHY do I have to buy 2? Put Firewire 800 while you redesign it.

By: Matthew Reynolds

Matthew Reynolds — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:46:34 +0000

Gotcha, that makes sense. Thanks!

By: Dave Kendricken

Dave Kendricken — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:35:11 +0000

Glad I'm not the only one scratching my head at these omissions -- I'm guessing it had to do with simplifying the product to minimize development/wait time, which was already pretty significant. Folks dismayed by this product's short-comings can look forward to the future, though. Apparently Belkin has a similar hub growing in the labs -- which includes 2 Thunderbolt ports and a FireWire 800 port. No exact release date announced (first quarter 2013), but when there's something definite NFS will be letting everyone know :)

By: John Morse

John Morse — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:28:07 +0000

Dave, I think your two criticism are major misses by Matrox. I have a new MBP and have been endlessly searching for a thunderbolt hub with at least two thunderbolt ports, but they don’t seem to exist. I love thunderbolt and really wish I’d be able to utilize an external drive AND an external monitor with it.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:23:54 +0000

You’re thinking of the current lineup. The 2011 variety does not have USB 3.0 and HDMI.

By: George P

George P — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:23:32 +0000

Lack of Firewire, eSATA and an additional Thunderbolt pass-through options makes me not likely to purchase this product.

By: Matthew Reynolds

Matthew Reynolds — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:58:39 +0000

I may have missed it when reading, but what is the main advantage of this device? Doesn’t the MBP already have USB 3.0, Audio, & HDMI? And for $30 you can get a thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter. I’m sure it’s me missing the boat. Someone care to elaborate?

By: Marc B

Marc B — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:48:28 +0000

Nice first version, but I’m more inclined to go with the port options on the Belkin version.

By: a

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:31:41 +0000

Where’s the firewire 800?????

By: Julian Terry

Julian Terry — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:21:13 +0000

Don’t you love it when smaller companies make something just perfect for you? I’m putting together a computer station and my friend is getting the black magic camera. With all the data that needs transferring this is will do.