The Satechi Dual Dock offers a lot for its $149 price tag with a premium design, a good selection of ports for you to use, and the ability to add more storage to your setup. However, it is missing some key ports that I wish were included.

Satechi Dual Dock Stand

8 / 10

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand is a good laptop dock for your MacBook. It features a metal design, multiple different ports, and even the option to add an SSD for more storage.

Ports

Two USB-C, two USB-A, ethernet, two HDMI, one display port, one USB-C PD pass-through port

USB Power Delivery

Yes

Price

$149

Supported HDD sizes

SATA/NVMe SSD

Pros

• High-quality design
• Port selection
• SSD support

Cons

• No Thunderbolt ports
• No SD card slot

$150 at Amazon See at Satechi

Design: A Solid Metal Build

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand doesn’t compromise on its design—as it shouldn’t, given the cost of the accessory. The dock is made mainly from metal with a plastic top. The plastic top allows it to sit neatly under your laptop without scratching it. Just like a MacBook, the Satechi Dual Dock Stand uses feet on the bottom to prevent it from scratching your desk surface, too. And on the back, you have all the ports and a power switch for the accessory.

When using it with your laptop, the computer will sit at an angle. This makes it easier to type on the keyboard and likely allows for better cooling for your system since it is off your desk. Overall, it’s a good design for a product like this, and it goes well with any MacBook.

Port Selection: Extensive, but Lacking Thunderbolt

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand offers a lot of ports, with two HDMI, two USB-A, Ethernet, two USB-C ports (5Gbps and 10Gbps), one Displayport, and another USB-C port for charging your laptop. The HDMI ports allow you to connect two displays to the dock (if your laptop supports more than one display). If one of your displays doesn’t use HDMI, you can also use the Displayport and an HDMI port together to connect to multiple screens.

There are several benefits to having a wired internet connection (faster speeds, no signal interference, etc.). Since many laptops now don’t include an Ethernet port, it’s nice that the Satechi Dual Dock Stand includes one too. The dock connects to your laptop using two side-by-side USB-C connections, and they include a piece that keeps the cables together for a seamless connection, which is a nice touch if you are someone who really cares about cable management.

If you use a MacBook Air, this dock provides dramatically more expandability for you, since current MacBook Airs are limited to two USB-C ports for most functions.

The main complaint that I have about the Satechi Dual Dock is that the USB-C ports are not full-fledged Thunderbolt USB-C ports. Due to the lack of these ports, you can't use the USB-C ports on the dock to run monitors that use USB-C, such as Apple's Studio Display, two of which I use on my desk. And since the dock uses two USB-C ports on my MacBook Pro, I can't directly connect both Studio Displays to the laptop, either.

If you use a Studio Display, be aware of this before purchasing the Satechi Dual Dock Stand. But if you don’t, you will be fine since it features the HDMI ports and a Displayport that most other monitors use.

Although it doesn't include as many ports as the SideTrak 4K Docking Station 13-1, which is the same price and even includes an SD card and micro SD card slot, the Satechi Dual Dock Stand includes most of the essential ports.

Storage Expansion: Add an SSD to Your Setup

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand not only provides several ports to add to your laptop setup, it also features a slot where you can use an SSD. Doing so allows you access to more storage to use with your system. Satechi states that you can add an NVME or a SATA SSD to the dock.

To add an SSD, all you have to do is open the compartment at the bottom of the dock, insert the SSD into the port, and use the included screw and screwdriver to secure it. Given that some laptops, including Apple’s MacBook Airs, offer a minimal SSD (256GB) with the base model, adding additional storage using this can help your workflow without requiring you to use a separate external drive. You also can’t upgrade the SSD after purchasing one of Apple’s laptops, so the Satechi Dual Dock Stand offering the option to expand storage is appreciated.

The List of Compatible Laptops

As you would probably expect, the Satechi Dual Dock Stand supports a large selection of MacBooks, as well as some PC laptops. Here is a breakdown of which laptops officially work with the dock, according to Satechi’s website:

• MacBook Pro 13-inch (2016-2019)
• MacBook Pro 15-inch (2016-2019)
• MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)
• M1 MacBook Pro (2020)
• M2 MacBook Pro (2022)
• MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021-2023)
• MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021-2023)
• MacBook Air (2018-2020)
• M1 MacBook Air (2020)
• M2 MacBook Air 13-inch (2022)
• M2 MacBook Air 15-inch (2023)
• Microsoft Surface Pro 9
• Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
• Lenovo Yoga 7i
• Lenovo Yoga 6
• Galaxy Book 3 Ultra
• Dell XPS 15

You won't have to install any software to start using the dock with a MacBook either; plug it into your laptop, and you are good to go.

Should You Buy the Satechi Dual Dock Stand?

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand can be a great addition to your desk setup if you primarily use a laptop and need more flexibility with ports, to leverage more storage, and want better ergonomics. It has good build quality, several inputs, and works with various laptops. If your setup fits the port selection that the dock features, and you don’t use monitors that leverage USB-C for connectivity, I would recommend the Satechi Dual Dock Stand.

Satechi Dual Dock Stand

8 / 10

The Satechi Dual Dock Stand is a good laptop dock for your MacBook. It features a metal design, multiple different ports, and even the option to add an SSD for more storage.

Ports

Two USB-C, two USB-A, ethernet, two HDMI, one display port, one USB-C PD pass-through port

USB Power Delivery

Yes

Price

$149

Supported HDD sizes

SATA/NVMe SSD

$150 at Amazon See at Satechi