Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock - Docking Station OWC - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Docking Station
Brand	OWC
Model	Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock
Dimensions	3.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches (99 x 74 x 23 mm)
Weight	4.2 oz (119 g)
Power Source	Bus-powered via host Thunderbolt 3 port
Host Connection	Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable (included)
Pass-Through Thunderbolt Port	1x Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40 Gbps, 60W charging)
Video Output	1x HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K @ 60Hz)
USB Ports	2x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
Ethernet	1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45)
Audio	1x 3.5mm headphone/microphone combo jack
SD Card Slot	1x SD 4.0 UHS-II
Compatibility	Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C hosts (with appropriate driver support)
System Requirements	macOS 10.13+ or Windows 10 64-bit
Cable Included	0.8m Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable
LED Indicators	Power/Connection status LED
Operating Temperature	32° to 95°F (0° to 35°C)
Storage Temperature	-4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C)
Humidity	10% to 90% non-condensing
Certifications	CE, FCC, Thunderbolt 3 certified
Warranty	1 year from OWC

Frequently Asked Questions - Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock OWC

Is the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock compatible with both Mac and Windows?

Yes, it works with macOS 10.13 or later and Windows 10 64-bit systems that have a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C port with appropriate drivers.

Can I charge my laptop through the dock?

Yes, the pass-through Thunderbolt 3 port can deliver up to 60W of power to a connected laptop, provided your laptop supports charging over Thunderbolt 3.

Does it support 4K displays?

Yes, the HDMI 2.0 port supports up to 4K resolution at 60Hz. For dual 4K displays, you may need to use the Thunderbolt port with a separate adapter.

What is the difference between the Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock and a USB-C hub?

This dock uses Thunderbolt 3 technology for faster data transfer (up to 40 Gbps) and can provide more power (60W) to your laptop, while USB-C hubs typically max out at 10 Gbps and 100W (but only if they support USB Power Delivery).

Does the dock support USB-C devices?

Yes, it has a dedicated USB-C port (5 Gbps) for connecting USB-C peripherals, as well as two USB-A ports for legacy devices.

How do I connect the dock to my computer?

Use the included Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable to connect the dock's host port to your computer's Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C port. The dock will power on automatically.

Can I daisy-chain multiple Thunderbolt devices?

Yes, you can connect up to six Thunderbolt 3 devices in a daisy-chain configuration using the pass-through port.

Does the dock require its own power adapter?

No, it is bus-powered through the Thunderbolt 3 connection. However, for charging a laptop at 60W, your computer must be capable of supplying that power over Thunderbolt 3.

What should I do if my computer does not recognize the dock?

First, ensure your computer has the latest Thunderbolt drivers (for Windows) or is running macOS 10.13+. Try a different Thunderbolt 3 cable or port. If using a USB-C port, confirm it supports Thunderbolt 3 (via a lightning bolt icon).

Is the dock compatible with iPad Pro or other tablets?

It depends on the tablet's USB-C implementation. iPads with Thunderbolt 3 (e.g., iPad Pro 2018+) may work for data and video, but power delivery may be limited. Check OWC's compatibility list.

USER MANUAL Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock OWC

Black OVMC network device with HDMI ports and USB ports, connected to a USB cable (no text or symbols on the device body)

Dual HDMI 2.0 ports for 4K displays

Two USB for storage and accessories

Gigabit Ethernet for faster connectivity

Compact, no AC adapter needed

Ideal for Mac & Windows notebooks

CONTENTS

Introduction

1.1 Minimum System Requirements....1

-Mac Requirements
-PC Requirements

1.2 Package Contents....1
1.3 About This Guide.... 1
1.4 Front View.... 2

Support Resources

2.1 Usage Notes 3
2.2 Contacting Technical Support......4

1.1 Minimum System Requirements

Mac Requirements

-macOS 10.12 or later

PC Requirements

-Windows 10 or later

Hardware Requirements

-Mac or PC with a Thunderbolt 3 port

Driver

-None

1.2 Package Contents

Black USB device with network ports and USB cable, no visible text or symbols

Printed quick start guideOWC Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock

1.3 About This Manual

The images and descriptions may vary slightly between this manual and the unit shipped. Functions and features may change depending on the firmware version. The latest product details and warranty information can be found on the product web page. OWC's Limited Warranty is not transferable and subject to limitations.

1.4 Front View

1. HDMI 2.0 ports – connect HDMI compatible displays here. See Usage Notes for details.
2. USB 3.0 port - connect compatible bus-powered USB 3.x devices here. See Usage Notes for details.
3. USB 2.0 port – connect compatible bus-powered USB 2.0 devices here. See Usage Notes for details.
4. Gigabit Ethernet – connect Gigabit-compatible Ethernet cable here. See Usage Notes for details.

2.1 Usage Notes

• This device will not work with USB-C host ports. Thunderbolt 3 is required.
• Certified HDMI 2 cables required for use with HDMI 2.0 ports and displays.
• Each HDMI port supports resolutions up to 4096 x 2160 (3840 x 2160) @ 60Hz and will pass an HDMI audio signal from the host, for displays that have speakers or support headphones.
• Dual displays are supported but the available resolution and refresh rates are dependent upon the specific hardware and drivers used by your system.

Supported Resolutions for Dual Monitors

Resolution Video Display Frequency Dual Monitor
4K 60Hz Yes
2K (2560 x1600) 60Hz Yes
Full HD (1920 x 1080p) 60Hz Yes
2K (2560 x 1600) 30Hz Yes
Full HD (1920 x 1080p) 30Hz Yes

-USB ports do not support the Apple Super Drive.

• The USB ports do not receive power when the host computer is in sleep mode.
• USB 3.0 port supports speeds up to 5Gb/s and provides bus power up to 5V and 0.9A (4.5W). Devices which require more bus power will not function on this port. An optional, auxiliary power adapter may be available for some bus-powered enclosures. UASP is supported.

- Smart phones or iPods with a compatible USB charging cable can recharge via this port but may be slower than other charging methods.

- Tablet and iPad charging are not supported.

• USB 2.0 port supports speeds up to 480 Mb/s and provides up to 5V and 0.5A (2.5W) of bus power. Devices which require more bus power will not function on this port.
• Ethernet – the device should detect and connect to the network automatically once the Ethernet cable is connected. This device supports Wake-on-LAN (WoL) which allows the network to wake your computer from sleep or standby mode.

2.3 Contacting Technical Support

Phone: M-F, 8am-8pm CT 1.866.692.7100 (N. America) | +1.815.338.4751 (Int'l)

Chat: M-F, 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm CT www.owc.com/support

Email: Answered within 48 hours www.owc.com/support

Changes:

The material in this document is for information purposes only and subject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, OWC, its parent, partners, affiliates, officers, employees, and agents assume no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein. OWC reserves the right to make changes or revisions in the product design or the product manual without reservation and without obligation to notify any person of such revisions and changes.

FCC Statement:

Warning! Modifications not authorized by the manufacturer may void the user's authority to operate this device.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference with radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

-Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

-Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

- Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

Health And Safety Precautions:

• Read this user guide carefully and follow the correct procedures when setting up the device.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or modify the device. To avoid any risk of electrical shock, fire, short-circuiting or dangerous emissions, never insert any metallic object into the device. If it appears to be malfunctioning, contact OWC technical support.
• Never expose your device to rain, or use it near water or in damp or wet conditions. Never place objects containing liquids on the device, as they may spill into its openings. Doing so increases the risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, fire or personal injury.

General Use Precautions:

• To avoid damage, do not expose the device to temperatures outside the range of 5^ C to 35^ C ( 41^ F to 95^ F) during use.
• Always unplug the device from the electrical outlet if there is a risk of lightning or if it will be unused for an extended period of time. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting or fire.
• Do not use the device near other electrical appliances such as televisions, radios or speakers. Doing so may cause interference which will adversely affect the operation of the other products.
  -Do not place objects on top of the device.
• Protect your device from excessive exposure to dust during use or storage. Dust can build up inside the device, increasing the risk of damage or malfunction.

Warranty:

The OWC Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock has a 2 Year OWC Limited Warranty. For up-to-date product and warranty information, please visit the product web page.

Copyrights and Trademarks:

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of OWC.

© 2020 Other World Computing, Inc. All rights reserved. OWC and the OWC logo are trademarks of New Concepts Development Corporation, registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. Apple, Mac, mac OS, and SuperDrive are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other marks may be the trademark or registered trademark property of their owners.