Thunderbolt 5 (TB5), Intel’s latest advancement in high-speed connectivity, is designed to improve the way we handle data transfer, display output, and device charging.
With up to 80Gbps of bandwidth (and a boost option up to 120Gbps), it effectively doubles the speed of Thunderbolt 4. This extra power is perfect for driving two 8K displays, transferring large video files, and running real-time applications like gaming and VR.
A standout feature of Thunderbolt 5 is its ability to deliver 240W of power, meaning faster charging for laptops and enough juice to power even more demanding devices over a single cable. Plus, it’s backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and 4, so integrating it into your current setup should be straightforward. The extra bandwidth and power is also future-proofed for technologies like 16K displays and more powerful external GPUs.
Where are the laptops?
At IFA 2024, UGREEN introduced its new Revodok Thunderbolt 5 docking station, one of the first devices to use this technology.
It comes equipped with three Thunderbolt 5 ports that offer up to 80Gbps of data transfer and can boost up to 120Gbps when needed. It’s also versatile, supporting a single 8K display for Windows users and triple-display setups for Macs. With 13 ports, including USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI, it’s designed to satisfy users with a high need for connectivity.
The Revodok docking station really shows what Thunderbolt 5 can do in terms of data transfer, display output, and power delivery. It’s a handy solution for professionals managing large amounts of data and running multiple displays and devices. We previously reviewed the UGREEN Revodok Max 208 8-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station and you can read our four-star review here.
However, while it, like other TB5 docks (e.g. the J5 Create), offers a glimpse of the future, laptops with built-in Thunderbolt 5 ports are still on the horizon. For users to get the full benefit of Thunderbolt 5, we’ll need to see more widespread adoption from laptop manufacturers. It will happen, but when is the big question that remains unanswered.
In addition to the docking station, UGREEN also introduced other products at IFA, such as the Nexode Power Bank, a 20,000mAh charger capable of delivering up to 145W, and the NASync series, a new line of network-attached storage for personal and commercial use. It also introduced its Uno series chargers and power banks.
