12.06.2020

Thunderbolt Card Reader For Mac Pro

Thunder3 Dock Pro

Thunderbolt™ 3 Docking Station for Professionals, with 10Gbps Network, CFast Reader, and More!

USB-C is becoming the new standard connector and Apple is jumping on board in a big way. The newest MacBook Pro surprised everyone by only having Thunderbolt 3 (A.K.A USB-C) ports, and that left a lot of people scrambling for dongles, including card readers. Mike Boreham wrote: iwrabbi wrote: Hi, Does anyone know if there's an SDHC card reader with Thunderbolt 2 connections or if I am SOL and have to make due with USB 3 until I upgrade to a MBP with Thunderbolt 3/USB-C? Quickly and efficiently transfer data from Panasonic P2 memory cards to a Thunderbolt equipped Mac using the Thunderbolt Pro P2 Card Reader from Sonnet.This bus-powered memory card reader requires no power adapter and comes equipped with a single Thunderbolt port supporting data transfer rates of up to 600 mb/s.

Packed full of features, this Thunderbolt™ 3 docking station comes with all the essential interfaces you will need to connect your peripherals and more. Plug in just a single Thunderbolt 3 cable to your computer and you can gain access to a 10GbE network, an extra monitor, a card reader, an USB hub, an eSATA drive and recharge your laptop at the same time.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for USB C Hub Macbook Pro,DesertWest Aluminum 7 in 1 USB Hub Adapter for MacBook Pro 13'and 15' 2018/2017/2016,Hub with HDMI,Thunderbolt 3,USB C Power Delivery,SD/TF Card Reader,2 USB 3.0 Ports(Grey) at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. The SF3 Series - SxS Pro Card Reader is the industry’s first SxS card reader for Thunderbolt 3. This dual-slot reader takes advantage of Thunderbolt 3’s 40Gbps bandwidth to ingest files simultaneously from two cards at maximum speed—more than double the average ingest speed of USB 3.0 card readers.

Features
  • Thunderbolt 3 for lightning fast transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps
  • Second Thunderbolt 3 port supports Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps), USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), and DisplayPort devices
  • Power delivery provides up to 60W of power to recharge compatible laptops and other devices
  • Three USB 3.1 Gen 1 host ports with Type-A connectors for legacy USB devices
  • 10 Gigabit Ethernet port supporting auto-negotiation for 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G, 100M
  • Cooling fan with power switch for noiseless operation
  • Dedicated DisplayPort for additional 4K monitor
  • eSATA host port supporting port multiplier
  • Built-in CFast 2.0 and SD 4.0 card reader

Thunderbolt™ Connectivity

Thunderbolt™ 3

Thunderbolt 3 brings Thunderbolt to USB-C at speeds up to 40 Gbps, creating one compact port that does it all – delivering the fastest, most versatile connection to any dock, display, or data device. For the first time, one computer port connects to Thunderbolt devices, every display, and billions of USB devices. A single cable now provides four times the data and twice the video bandwidth of any other cable, while also supplying power to bus-powered devices.

The second Thunderbolt 3 port on the Thunder3 Dock Pro operates the same as a Thunderbolt 3 computer port by supporting Thunderbolt 3 (up to 5 daisy chained), USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), and DisplayPort devices.

Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock

eSATA host port

This port can be used to connect an external storage drive with an eSATA interface to your Thunderbolt 3 computer. The eSATA port supports port multiplier and is capable of recognizing more than just one disk in a multi-bay enclosure without a RAID controller. The maximum data transfer rate for the eSATA port is about 370MB/s.

USB 3.1 Gen 1 hub

The three USB 3.1 Gen 1 host ports make it easy to connect your USB devices that come with a Type-A connector to your Thunderbolt 3 computer. Instead of buying an adapter or new cables, simply plug your existing USB devices into the Thunder3 Dock Pro and you are all set. The maximum data transfer rate for the USB hub is about 370MB/s.

10 Gigabit Ethernet port

The network interface is ideal for desktop computers and laptops that require reliable, accelerated access to external storage and networks for I/O demanding applications but typically lack 10GbE connectivity or the capability to deploy an internal PCIe network card (NIC). This 10GbE network adapter supports auto-negotiation for 10Gb/s, 5Gb/s, 2.5Gb/s, 1Gb/s and 100MB/s.

Thunderbolt™ 3 daisy chain

One of the Thunderbolt 3 ports is used to connect the Thunder3 Dock Pro to the computer and the other port operates the same as a Thunderbolt 3 computer port by supporting Thunderbolt 3 (up to 5 daisy chained), USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), and DisplayPort devices.

DisplayPort

The dedicated DisplayPort connector can be used to connect an additional monitor to extend your workspace without the need to buy an additional USB-C to DisplayPort adapter. This video output capability will free up the second Thunderbolt 3 port for other Thunderbolt 3 (up to 5 daisy chained), USB 3.1 (10 Gbps), and DisplayPort devices.

CFast 2.0 & SD 4.0 card reader

The built-in card reader for your CFast and SD cards is located conveniently at the front of the Thunder3 Dock Pro, allowing you to easily insert and remove the cards to backup your media files after a photo or video shoot. The maximum data transfer rate for the card reader is about 370 MB/s.

USB Power Delivery (PD)

Power Delivery (60W)

The Thunder3 Dock Pro supports power delivery (PD), providing up to 60W of power to devices and laptops that support charging from a 20V/3A power source (e.g. Late 2016 MacBook Pro). This allows you to recharge the battery even when the laptop is not plugged into any other power source. Depending on your needs, you can use either the 60W or the 15W port to connect the Thunder3 Dock Pro to your computer and then use the second port to recharge other devices like an iPad for example.

To learn more about how to use power delivery and recharge a 15' MacBook Pro, see 'Is 60W enough to recharge a 15' MBP?'.

Thunder3 Dock Pro

  • T3DAA0007Y00U


  • CE

  • FCC

  • VCCI

  • BSMI

  • LVD

  • RCM

  • Thunderbolt


  • 2-year limited warranty


  • High quality aluminum case with metal chassis


  • 2x Thunderbolt™ 3 (USB-C) ports

  • 1x eSATA host port supporting port multiplier

  • 3x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type A) host ports supporting UASP

  • 1x RJ45 Ethernet port supporting 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G Base-T

  • 1x SD 4.0 (UHS-II) card reader

  • 1x CFast 2.0 card reader

  • 1x DisplayPort 1.2


  • Thunderbolt 3 up to 40 Gbps

  • eSATA up to 370 MB/s

  • USB 3.1 up to 370 MB/s

  • Gigabit Ethernet up to 10 Gbps

  • SD 4.0 in UHS-II (Ultra High Speed II), with bus speed up to 156 MBytes/s (full duplex) or 312 MBytes/s (half duplex)

  • CFast 2.0 up to 370 MB/s

  • DisplayPort 1.2 (4K at 60 Hz)


  • Windows 10 (64-bit)

  • Computer with Thunderbolt™ 3 port


  • macOS 10.13.4 and later

  • Computer with Thunderbolt™ 3 port


  • Operating Temperature: 5°C ~ 35°C

  • Storage Temperature: -20°C ~ 60°C

  • Relative Humidity: 5% ~ 95% (non-condensing)


  • External power supply (UL, CE, CB, TUV approved)

  • Input: AC 100-240V

  • Output: DC +12V/12.5A


  • 8.35 inches x 4.25 inches x 1.36 inches

  • 21.2cm x 10.8cm x 3.45cm


  • Thunder3 Dock Pro

  • Thunderbolt™ 3 cable (70 cm)

  • Power adapter

  • Setup guide


  • Retail Box Size: 9.96 x 6.57 x 4.65 in. (25.3 x 16.7 x 11.8 cm)

  • Carton Size (8pcs per carton): 19.37 x 13.58 x 10.83 in. (49.2 x 34.5 x 27.5 cm)

  • Gross Weight: 2.07 kg (retail box), 17.59 kg (carton)


  • This product was designed for use with the fan on and passed engineering tests with the fan on. We have added a fan switch that can turn off the fan when a low-noise environment is needed. However, the device should only be used for short periods of time with the fan in the OFF position as prolonged use may cause the device to overheat and this may cause damage to the system, cause issues to data integrity, reduce system reliability and/or shorten the lifespan of the electrical components. For best results, we recommend that the device not be used continuously for more than 30 minutes with the fan in the OFF position.

  • The eSATA port and the CFast reader share a single PCIe Gen 2 lane, as do the USB ports and the SD card reader. The maximum transfer rate for a single PCIe Gen 2 lane is about 370MB/s, which means that any device connected to these interfaces cannot go faster than 370 MB/s and when multiple devices are used simultaneously, the bandwidth is shared.

  • This device has to be connected to the computer via Thunderbolt 3 and it cannot be used as a NAS. The Ethernet port provides the computer with an 10GbE network connection over Thunderbolt 3 but it cannot be used to access the data on the drives over the network.

  • This docking station does not have any internal storage. All data is stored on external drives that are connected to the dock.

  • The DisplayPort does not support DP++. When using a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, make sure to use an active adapter.

  • This product has components or design elements that are patented (patent number 4176304).

The Thunder3 Dock Pro is the best of the best. It’s made very well and it even comes equipped with a fan that can be cycled on or off to regulate its temperature or sound level. It’s a very low-maintenance device and I’ve really enjoyed using it. I feel like this is a great option for pro-level users to select for their work stations. It has all the essential needs for professional connectivity and it provides superior speed opportunities because of its Thunderbolt 3 connections. I can wholeheartedly recommend this dock for users seeking out a device to make their system complete. Read More..

Robyn Oglesby - MacSources (March 4, 2019)

Akitio comes out swinging with the Dock Pro, creating what could be the only dock you need. Ever. Read More..

Tyler Bernath - TweakTown (October 21, 2018)

The Akitio Thunder3 Dock Pro is a product that’s mostly aimed at creative professionals working with large data — think 4K video and RAW photos. Its 10GbE connectivity means that it can quickly transfer large files over a long-range, which is great when offloading footage to a server or even when performing real-time edits of footage stored on a server. Read More..

Jeff Benjamin - 9TO5MAC (August 29, 2018)

Related products

    • AKiTiO Thunder2 Dock

      Thunderbolt 2 FireWire 800 USB 3.0 eSATA
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    • Thunder3 RAID Station

      Thunderbolt 3
      For 2x 2.5' or 3.5' SATA drives

    • Thunder3 10G Network Adapter

      Thunderbolt 3
      10GbE Network Adapter

The new MacBook Pro comes with two or four external ports, depending on the model you pick. And the new MacBook Air has a pair of ports. But those ports are only of one type: Thunderbolt 3, which is compatible with USB-C.

But you probably have devices that use USB-A, Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, DisplayPort, HDMI, or something else. How do you connect these devices? With an adapter.

If you’re planning to buy a new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, make sure you set aside a considerable amount of cash for the adapters you need. Apple doesn’t include any in the box, except for a power adapter.

Your best bet is to get a combination dock, like the Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter ($60 on Amazon). It connects via USB-C, and includes a USB-C pass-through port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI port with 4K (30Hz) support. With this, you don’t have to carry around multiple adapters.

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If you don’t want a dock, or you can’t find a dock with the mix of connections you need, Apple or another company probably has an adapter for you. We’ve come up with this guide to help you sort out what you need, and we link to the appropriate adapter in the online Apple Store or on Amazon. You can also use the quick link list below to jump to the info you need.

Business Card Reader For Mac

How to connect:

Be sure to check the return policies; sometimes adapters from third-parties don’t work. Read user reviews whenever possible, and read the specifications to make sure the adapter can do what you need it to do.

If there’s a connection we missed, or you have advice on what adapters to buy, let us know on Twitter or Facebook.

How to connect USB-C devices

The Thunderbolt 3 ports in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air work with USB-C devices, which have the same connector shape. If you want to use a USB-C device, you can just plug it into one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports. No adapter necessary. Whew.

How to connect USB-A devices

USB-A is the USB connector with which you’re probably most familiar. It’s the USB connector that was on the previous MacBooks, and it’s the connector that comes on your iOS device’s sync cable in the box. (Terms like USB 3 and USB 2 refer to the speed at which data travels through the connector.)

This problem first came up when Apple released the 12-inch MacBook, which has a single USB-C port. You can get a dock, like the before-mentioned Satechi. Or you can get Apple’s $19 USB-C to USB Adapter.

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If you need to connect multiple USB-A devices, get a USB-C to USB-A hub. Anker sells a USB-C to 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub ($16 on Amazon) that provides four USB-A ports.

How to connect micro B SuperSpeed devices

This connector is often used with external storage devices. You’ll need a new cable, like the $15 StarTech USB C to Micro USB Cable.

The name of the cable is confusing, because it could be mistaken for micro USB. But if you check the product page on StarTech’s website, you can see a clear shot of the micro B SuperSpeed connector on the cable, which is quite different from micro USB.

How to connect an iPhone or iPad

If you are still using the USB-A to Lightning (or 30-pin, if you’re using an older iOS device) cable that came with your device, you can get the USB-C to USB Adapter mentioned above in the USB-A section.

Don’t want an adapter? Buy a $19 USB-C to Lightning Cable (1 m) from Apple. You can get a 2-meter version for $35 from Apple.

How to connect the Lightning EarPods

There’s now a USB-C to Lightning adapter, thanks to the folks at Anker. It’s $30 on Amazon. This adapter has a female Lightning connector on one end, so you can plug in your Lightning earphones. The other side is a standard USB-C connector that you plug into your MacBook.

How to connect headphones with a 3.5mm headphone plug

You’re in luck. The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Just plug it in and you’re good to go. That was easy.

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Now, say you need a second headphone jack. You can use a splitter, like the Belkin Speaker and Headphone 3.5 mm AUX Audio Cable Splitter ($5 on Amazon). Or you can use a USB-C to headphone adapter, like this Motorola one on Amazon for $9, or you can get the $12 Google USB-C Digital to 3.5 mm headphone adapter. If you need multiple headphone jacks, the $15 Belkin RockStar 5-Jack Multi Headphone Audio Splitter plugs into the headphone jack and adds five jacks.

How to connect Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 devices

Older versions of Thunderbolt have a different connector than Thunderbolt 3. The adapter you need is Apple’s $49 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter.

How to connect an external display

This one can eat up a chunk of your budget, because there are so many different types of display connectors. Be prepared to buy several adapters.

DisplayPort and mini DisplayPort

To connect to a DisplayPort display, you need a USB-C to DisplayPort cable or adapter. Amazon sells the Cable Matters USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter cable for $17, and it supports 4K video at 60Hz.

To connect a display with mini DisplayPort, you need an adapter like the Belinda USB C Type to Mini DisplayPort/Mini DP Adapter Cable ($19 on Amazon).

HDMI

Apple offers the USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, a $69 device that also provides a USB-A port and a USB-C port that’s for charging only. Be warned: Apple released a new version of this adapter (model number A2119) in August 2019 that supports HDMI 2.0. The older version (model number A1621) supports HDMI 1.4. If you shop in person, you can check the box for the model number, and at an Apple store, you very likely will get the new model. But if you shop elsewhere, you could end up with the old model. Apple has a support document that details the differences between the two adapters.

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If you don’t want to spend that much, you can get an adapter that’s just a USB-C to HDMI adapter, such as UGreen’s USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($16 on Amazon). We really like the Nonda USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($16 on Amazon). When shopping for such adapters, look out for 1080p support. The Nonda adapter has 4K video support.

DVI

Kanex has a USB-C to DVI Adapter ($24 on Amazon). It also has other USB-C video adapters, including a VGA adapter, an HDMI adapter, and a DisplayPort adapter.

VGA

To connect a VGA display, Apple has a USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter ($64 on Amazon). In addition to a VGA to USB-C connection, it also provides a USB-A port for connecting a USB device, and a USB-C charging port to keep your laptop battery happy.

On the more affordable side but without the USB ports is the Simple.Fly USB-C to VGA Adapter, which is available on Amazon for $14.

How to connect the MacBook Pro to ethernet

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You’ll probably use Wi-Fi most of the time, but using a wired ethernet connection has its advantages. To connect to an ethernet network, you need an adapter like the Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, which is available on Amazon for $22.

How to connect SD cards

If you use a DLSR or other type of stand-alone camera, it might have a way to transfer your files wirelessly. If not, you need an adapter to access the SD card, like the Cable Matters Dual Slot USB C Card Reader ($10 on Amazon).

If you have a USB-A card reader, you can try using the Apple’s $19 USB-C to USB Adapter, or get a USB-C dock.

Card

How to connect FireWire devices

Ugh, this one could be a problem. Apple has a Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter for $29, but it has a older Thunderbolt connector that doesn’t plug into the Thunderbolt 3 port on a new MacBook Pro.

You could try daisy-chaining adapters, but that’s always risky and may not work. Plug the Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter into Apple’s $49 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and then plug that into the MacBook Pro.

How to connect a printer with USB-B

Many printers nowadays have wireless support, so there’s no need for a cable. But maybe you have an older printer, or you find wireless printing unreliable. Most consumer printers have a USB-B port. It’s a squarish connector, much different from USB-A or USB-C.

You need a cable like the Cable Matters USB C Printer Cable, which has a USB-C to USB-B connection. A 1 meter cable is $7; other lengths are available.

If you already have a USB-C to USB Adapter, you can take the USB-A to USB-B cable that came with your printer and plug it into the adapter. Then you plug the adapter into the laptop.

How to add a MagSafe power connector to the 13-inch MacBook Pro

The power adapter that comes with the new MacBook Pro plugs into a Thunderbolt 3 port. Sadly, there is no breakaway MagSafe connector. If you’ve ever had to plug in your MacBook at a coffee shop and had someone trip over the power cable, you know how much of a lifesaver MagSafe can be.

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Thunderbolt Card Reader For Macbook Pro

But you can still add a MagSafe connector to the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. Griffin’s BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable ($16 on Amazon) is a power-only cable that is used to charge the laptop. It includes an adapter that acts like a MagSafe connector. Our review of the BreakSafe covers how it works with a 12-inch MacBook, but the breakaway connector should work the same way for the new MacBook Pro.

If you prefer using a Mac to a PC, it can be difficult to find the right CAC card reader to work well with your machine. So many CAC readers that might work well with Windows run into problems with Apple software and products. Step 2: Plug in and Ensure It’s Accepted. Once you have your CAC reader, plug it into your Mac and ensure your computer recognizes it. If you have one of the CAC readers we suggested above, then you should be good to go. APPLE SUPPORT START PAGE (ALL Mac related pages within MilitaryCAC). IPhone and iPad users can use their CAC and access CAC enabled websites using several different software apps and CAC readers (including accessing DTS on your iPad). 1-16 of 69 results for 'military cac card reader for mac' Saicoo Smart Card Reader DOD Military USB Common Access CAC, Compatible with Mac OS, Win. $11.99 $ 11 99 Prime. FREE Shipping on eligible orders. 4.2 out of 5 stars 3,104. 3% off purchase of 2 items See Details. 15 product ratings - Saicoo Smart Card Reader DOD Military USB Common Access CAC, compatible with Mac $13.59 Trending at $13.84 Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. Military cac card reader keyboard.

External Card Reader For Mac

However, Griffin specifically states that the cable works with the 13-inch laptop; the company doesn’t say it’s compatible with the 15-inch MacBook Pro. That’s because the cable is rated at 60 watts, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a 61-watt power adapter. The 15-inch MacBook Pro has an 87-watt power adapter; that’s more wattage than the Griffin cable is designed to handle.

Apple

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