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Comprehensive Analysis of the Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock: 140W MacBook Charging Capabilities, 2.5GbE Connectivity, and SSD Performance Reaching Up to 6000 MB/s [Video]

# Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock: An In-Depth Review

Since the introduction of Apple’s first Thunderbolt 5-enabled Macs last year, accessory manufacturers have swiftly adjusted to this new standard. Leading the charge is Sonnet, renowned for its premium hardware solutions. The **Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock** distinguishes itself as the first dock to feature an NVMe SSD, aiming to deliver superior performance and connectivity for users. In this article, we will examine its specifications, design, performance, and assess whether it’s a viable option for your setup.

## Specifications

The Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock features an impressive suite of specifications:

– **Integrated NVMe SSD**
– 1 x Thunderbolt 5 upstream USB-C port (140W)
– 1 x Thunderbolt 5 downstream USB-C port (60W)
– 2 x Thunderbolt 5 downstream USB-C ports (15W)
– 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) USB-A ports (7.5W) with offline charging support
– 2.5Gb Ethernet port
– UHS-II SDXC 4.0 microSD slot
– UHS-II SDXC 4.0 SD Card slot
– 3.5mm combo headphone/microphone jack
– 20V/9A DC power input

## Design and Build

The Echo 13 showcases a horizontal design with a robust black plastic casing. While this arrangement occupies more desk space, it conveniently fits beneath a monitor or within a drawer. The dock is outfitted with 12 I/O ports, including the built-in NVMe SSD, accessible through a removable top cover. This design facilitates simple future upgrades to the SSD.

A power button regulates power to all ports, complemented by status lights for power and link connections. Although the cooling fan emits noise, it effectively maintains the dock’s temperature, especially under heavy usage.

## Charging Capabilities

A notable aspect of the Echo 13 is its capacity to deliver up to **140W** of power to compatible laptops, such as the 16-inch MacBook Pro. When utilized with the provided Thunderbolt 5 cable, the dock can charge devices at full speed. The dock intelligently allocates power, ensuring connected devices receive adequate charging without user oversight.

Furthermore, the Echo 13 enables offline charging, allowing users to charge devices even when a host device isn’t connected.

## Connectivity

The Echo 13 fully leverages Thunderbolt 5 technology, featuring backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 and 4 devices. Users can anticipate speeds of up to **80Gbps** when utilizing Thunderbolt 5 devices, while older equipment will connect at **40Gbps**. The dock is supplied with a 0.8-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable, supporting 240W charging and 120Gbps connectivity.

The dock includes multiple USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, and both SD and microSD card slots, making it a versatile option for various peripherals. The front panel also boasts a combo audio jack for headphones or headsets.

## Performance

The Echo 13 offers remarkable performance, particularly for users with Thunderbolt 5-enabled Macs. The bi-directional bandwidth of **80Gbps** facilitates significantly quicker data transfer rates compared to earlier Thunderbolt versions. The integrated Kingston PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD fully capitalizes on this bandwidth, providing swift read and write speeds.

Sonnet presents the Echo 13 in various configurations, including 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB options, with the 2TB variant being the most favored among users.

## Display Connectivity

The Echo 13 accommodates multiple display configurations, supporting one 4K, 5K, or 6K monitor, or three 4K monitors. It can also manage up to two 8K monitors, though this feature is currently restricted to Windows users. The dock’s compatibility with numerous display types, including HDMI and DisplayPort, renders it an excellent selection for users with varied display requirements.

## Price and Conclusion

Priced at **$550** for the 2TB version and **$440** for the 1TB version, the Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock is competitively priced, particularly when juxtaposed with Apple’s SSD upgrade fees. The dock not only provides a high-speed SSD but also an array of I/O options, making it a worthwhile addition to any Thunderbolt 5 setup.

In conclusion, the Sonnet Echo 13 Thunderbolt 5 SSD Dock is an outstanding device for users seeking to elevate their Mac experience through faster data transfers, extensive connectivity, and the convenience of built-in storage. Whether you’re a creative professional, a gamer, or simply someone who values speed and efficiency, the Echo 13 is worth considering.