Lexar Dock: 22 Ports, 5-Inch Display, $649!

Lexar has introduced the PexarBolt Ultra, a distinctive Thunderbolt 5 docking station that stands out with its integrated 5-inch display dashboard and 22 ports. This premium device also includes an NVMe slot and a novel control dial, catering to users who desire visual feedback on their system's status. The dock is priced at an MSRP of $649, positioning it as a high-end accessory.

Manufactured by Lexar, known for memory products, this marks their debut in the docking station market. The PexarBolt Ultra will be showcased at the IFA show in Berlin starting September 4th, with funding to be initiated via Kickstarter around the same time. Early Kickstarter supporters can purchase it for $479.

At its core, the PexarBolt Ultra leverages Thunderbolt 5 capabilities, providing 80Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth, extendable to 120Gbps through Bandwidth Boost. This technology is particularly prevalent in the Apple Mac ecosystem and is also found in Windows gaming laptops, which often embrace visually informative aesthetics. The dock supports driving three 4K displays at 144Hz each.

A notable specification is the dock's 140W laptop power delivery. This is sufficient for standard productivity laptops and some gaming laptops operating in lower-power modes. However, during intensive gaming sessions, a gaming laptop might need to rely on its battery for supplemental power, a characteristic common to most Thunderbolt 5 docking stations.