The Brydge ProDock Trio is a rarity amongst Thunderbolt docks, providing a compact vertical MacBook stand alongside a MagSafe cellphone charger.
All USB-C and Thunderbolt docks I’ve examined have been largely the identical as packing containers that join with a bundled cable. They’ve completely different ports and completely different technical specs.
Brydge goes a special route, choosing a brand new model of its vertical ProDock. Your Mac is bodily docked within the system, working in clamshell mode and preserving your desk free and open.
It is a really perfect companion for individuals who need desk house and use a wi-fi keyboard and trackpad. Whereas virtually excellent, there are a couple of adjustments I would have preferred to see after utilizing it the previous few weeks.
Right here within the studio, I’ve the Brydge ProDock Trio, one in every of a gaggle of latest docking stations the model launched. There may be additionally the ProDock Solo and ProDock Duo.
Because the identify considerably implies, one of many large distinguishing components between the docks is the variety of supported shows. The Solo can deal with one exterior show, the Duo can do two, and the Trio can do three.
The opposite large distinction between the three is the interface. The ProDock Solo works by way of USB-C, whereas the bigger two are each Thunderbolt.
Particularly, the ProDock Duo is a Thunderbolt 4 dock whereas the Trio is a Thunderbolt 5 dock. You’ll be able to nonetheless use the Trio by way of Thunderbolt 4, however you’ll be able to’t attain peak 80 Gbps speeds, triple-output, or 120 Gbps Bandwidth Increase mode.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: The ProDock Trio with no Mac
Different adjustments embrace how a lot energy is delivered to your docked Mac (90W versus 140W on the Trio) and the sheer variety of ports.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Straightforward, painless setup
In comparison with different docking stations, the Brydge ProDock does have a little bit of a setup. Fortunately, it is not overly concerned, and Brydge hooks you up with the only real required device.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: The sleeve and the dock itself earlier than meeting
Whenever you order your ProDock, it arrives in two packing containers. One of many packing containers homes the dock, whereas the opposite is what Brydge calls the “sleeve,” and is device-specific.
Mainly, Brydge created one aluminum dock with all the digital elements and a sequence of largely plastic sleeves that match every of the suitable machines. That approach it does not have to make completely different variations of the dock itself.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Throughout setup, place the swap accurately
Previous to attaching the sleeve, it’s worthwhile to accurately place the Sort-C connector. Slide it to the left for 16-inch MacBook Professionals and to the proper for MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Professional.
After sliding the plastic sleeve onto the highest of the dock, it will get secured by two screws, one on both aspect of your Mac. Brydge features a spare set of screws and a small Torx screwdriver within the field.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Putting in the corresponding sleeve
Then you definitely join it to energy. There is not any cable to plug into your Mac, aside from slotting it into place.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Ports a loads
In whole, there are 11 ports out there on the ProDock Trio. They’re situated on the again, in addition to the perimeters.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Rear ports of the Brydge ProDock Trio
Ports embrace:
- (1X) 3.5mm Auxiliary audio port
- (3X) 80Gbps Thunderbolt Sort-C
- (1X) USB-C 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 5.5W
- (3X) USB-A 10Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 5.5W
- (1X) 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- (1X) SD 3.0 Card reader
- (1X) Magnetic cellphone charger
Port choice is all the time going to be primarily based round use case, and for me, that is virtually a really perfect assortment. If I had my approach, I would swap out some, or all, of the USB-A ports for extra USB-C ports.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Left aspect USB-C port and SD card reader
One frequent rationalization I hear is that it could possibly trigger “confusion” when you have lower-powered USB-C ports subsequent to high-powered ones or Thunderbolt. I do not suppose this holds water when Brydge already contains an ordinary Sort-C port on the aspect with the identical watered-down USB-A knowledge specs.
Different criticism comes from customers with legacy USB-A units. Once more, it is truthful, however there isn’t any cause to not swap out growing old cables for brand spanking new Sort-C ones.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Proper-side auxiliary audio and USB-A ports
I’ve no USB-A units round, which makes these ports ineffective to me. USB-C is quite common in 2026; we’d like few new USB-A ports, not to mention three of them.
On the flip aspect, I am thrilled with the three downstream Thunderbolt ports. These ports allow three 4K shows at 144Hz or two 8K shows at 60Hz and 15W of energy.
Understand that’s going to be very device-dependent. You are not going to attach an M1 MacBook Air and run a number of 8K shows.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: This Thunderbolt 5 dock has three downstream Thunderbolt ports
Each show that I take advantage of or check helps USB-C or Thunderbolt. I do not need or want a bunch of various outputs, like HDMI or DisplayPort, which have restricted utility.
If I solely join one or two shows, I can nonetheless use the excess Thunderbolt ports for storage, a CFExpress Sort-B card reader, my mic, or different peripherals. It is an incredible resolution, particularly if you happen to’re working Apple screens with solely Sort-C ports.
That stated, I am not oblivious to those that want further ports. There are many customers who do, and if you happen to want these ports, you may want to take a look at a special dock or probably an adapter.
This dock right here is designed explicitly for MacBook customers, not Home windows PC customers, so I believe it is a part of the rationale Brydge has leaned into that simplicity as they copy Apple. For me, it really works and is preferable, however it will not be the case for you.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Magnetic cellphone charger is irksome
Apart from these pesky antiquated USB-A ports, my largest downside with the ProDock Trio is the cellphone charger. It is not solely that the efficiency is middling, however it’s wasted potential as nicely.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: The entrance of the dock has a cellphone charger with ports on both aspect of the again
In comparison with the last-generation vertical dock from Brydge, the corporate has elevated the charging velocity from 7.5W to 10W. A rise is sweet, however it’s nonetheless not formally MagSafe.
It magnetically holds your cellphone in place, however 10W remains to be shy of MagSafe’s unique 15W promise and much from the present 25W prime velocity. I want quicker charging speeds on my desk.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: The cellphone charger is magnetic like MagSafe with 10W of energy
In case your cellphone sits on the desk all day, 10W goes to be enough. Nevertheless, in case you are transferring round or away out of your desk in any respect, you most likely need quicker speeds.
I additionally suppose Brydge ought to draw inspiration from different MagSafe chargers. Check out my Nimble valet charger, for instance, which has a flat MagSafe puck that does 15W, however it may be lifted.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: The Nimble valet has an adjustable MagSafe stand that will match nicely right here on the ProDock Trio
It has a hidden stand that pops up so that you can modify the viewing angle. If one thing like that had been added to the ProDock, it will be superb.
Your iPhone might go into StandBy mode and spotlight any of your most well-liked widgets. Or, you might use one thing like ChocLift, which is extremely useful.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: iPhone working ChocLift may be very useful when docked in your desk, however I want the stand would raise
If the stand was adjustable, it will be excellent to see all of your app icons displayed neatly on ChocLift or StandBy mode with its real-time widgets and Dwell Actions.
There are a variety of choices right here, and I believe Brydge might have performed extra to discover them. It feels a lot like a missed alternative for an much more streamlined desk setup, as a result of I nonetheless want to supply a devoted charger.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Extra space than ever earlier than
The Brydge ProDock Trio is a improbable selection. There aren’t any different choices for individuals who need a compact, vertical docking station for his or her Mac.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: The dock helps each the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Professionals in addition to the MacBook Air
Moreover, it has additional options just like the magnetic cellphone charger, even when it is a bit sluggish. You will not discover one thing else that holds your Mac, has stable specs, and appears good.
What could grow to be the dealbreaker for folk is the dearth of an inner SSD compartment. Once more, for me, this is not a priority.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: I can maintain my Mac out of the best way and use a repositionable keyboard and trackpad
I take advantage of giant drives, and a 1TB or 2TB NVMe stick does not transfer the needle a lot. With a dock, it is extra possible to get a 4TB (or probably a lot bigger) exterior drive and join it by way of Thunderbolt.
A 2TB NVMe module goes to price most likely $400, and it is going to be very cost-prohibitive. In my video-driven workflow, an exterior drive is critical for the sizes I want.
In any other case, this dock is improbable. To make it excellent, the following era wants an adjustable 25W MagSafe puck and an inner SSD bay to knock it out of the park.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: The ProDock Trio docked with a big show
If you need a space-saving resolution that provides you the advantages of a stand with the ability of a Thunderbolt 5 dock, then the Brydge ProDock Trio is the one to go for. If fewer shows are acceptable, the Duo and Solo are additionally stable selections with a cheaper price tag.
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Professionals
- Uncommon, vertical dock to save lots of house
- Works in clamshell mode
- Good array of ports
- Designed for Mac customers
- Useful Magnetic cellphone charger
- Easy accessibility to ports
- Suits a number of MacBook fashions
- Helps as much as 3 shows
- Quick Thunderbolt 5 knowledge
Brydge ProDock Trio overview: Cons
- Some might want completely different show outputs
- USB-A appear pointless
- Telephone charger misses full potential
Brydge ProDock Trio score: 4 out of 5
The place to purchase the Brydge ProDock Trio
Seize the Brydge ProDock Solo, the ProDock Duo, or the ProDock Trio from the Brydge web site beginning at $229. It can save you 10% through the use of promo code BRYDGEAPPLEINSIDER_10 for a restricted time.
You may also purchase the Brydge docks on Amazon.
