This docking station's 'hidden compartment' disrupted my desktop - for the better

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What you're looking at in the image above is not an Apple Mac Mini, but the new Satechi Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock. If you're familiar with laptop docking stations, you may be surprised by its design. Most docks are brick-shaped, wide and flat, or upright with an industrial look, like the Baseus Spacemate RD1 Pro. The CubeDock is a mixture of the two. 

But that form isn't just for looks. It supports the CubeDock's main feature: an integrated NVMe SSD enclosure built into the bottom.

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This is the first docking station I've tested with a storage slot, and it made me wonder why I haven't seen it before. If your dock serves as a hub for your desktop, the enclosure turns it into centralized storage, providing a convenient place for large file libraries. The CubeDock executes this concept well and is a great accessory for power users. However, certain restrictions limit its usability.

Fast file transfer

The dock supports various SSD sizes: 2280, 2260, 2242, and 2230. For this review, I installed a Samsung 9100 PRO NVMe SSD, a 2280 drive. Regardless of the drive's size, the installation process is the same: remove the bottom cover, apply the thin thermal pad, insert the drive (and secure it if it's a 2280), apply the thicker thermal pad, and replace the bottom cover. Satechi includes illustrated instructions in the box, and they're clear enough that even first-timers won't have trouble -- I didn't.

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To evaluate performance, I connected the CubeDock to the Dell 14S using the included Thunderbolt 5 cable. Transfer speeds will vary depending on the hardware at either end. I did find that the Satechi dock delivered consistently fast performance. A 20GB movie took about one minute and 30 seconds to transfer from the SSD to the laptop, while a 5.31GB Google Takeout archive was sent over in just four seconds. A 98.2GB game transfer completed in 15 minutes and 18 seconds.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

I then swapped in a WD_BLACK SN770M SSD to see how a smaller drive performed. Transfer times were similar. It took the same 20GB movie a minute and 45 seconds to move from the SSD to the laptop. For the Google Takeout file, it was 6 seconds. What was interesting is that an 85.2GB game file took nearly 18 minutes to transfer. It appears that heat plays a role in performance, because when I transferred the same 85.2GB game after the dock had cooled down significantly, it finished in a little over 11 minutes. For the others, times were about the same.

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Packing this much tech into a compact chassis will generate a lot of heat. Satechi addresses this with an integrated fan that pulls in cool air through the enclosure. Plus, the aluminum chassis acts as a big heatsink, dissipating heat into the air. Altogether, this is an effective system. Even as the surface temperature rose, the CubeDock performed consistently well. Files and outgoing video signals were sent out without issue.

Connectivity 

The CubeDock has 11 individual ports, not counting the DC port for the power adapter. It covers the essentials: 

Most power users will appreciate this selection. The inclusion of three downstream Thunderbolt 5 ports, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and two UHS-II card readers gives the CubeDock plenty of flexibility for different workloads. The omission that stood out the most was the lack of an HDMI port. Instead, Satechi's device relies on Thunderbolt 5's native DisplayPort 2.1 support to output video signals.

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

On paper, this is perfectly fine. The Thunderbolt 5 ports allow for high-bandwidth video as well as multi-monitor setups of up to three 8K displays at 60Hz on Windows systems. However, not every setup supports an environment like this. Neither of my monitors are capable of accepting a direct DisplayPort signal over Thunderbolt 5.

Fortunately, I own a Kensington CV4200H USB-C to HDMI adapter that let connect my monitor to the accessory via an HDMI cable. Image quality was excellent when connected. That experience reinforced my biggest takeaway from the CubeDock: it is designed around a specific audience in mind. If your workspace revolves around modern hardware and a need for external storage, this port selection makes sense. Users with older monitors and accessories may need to purchase additional adapters to fully utilize the dock.

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For my final test, I evaluated the CubeDock's recharging performance using the same Dell 14S and a OnePlus 13R. Both devices were connected for 30 minutes via the included Thunderbolt 5 cable. The laptop went from a 43% charge to 69% in that time, while the smartphone climbed from 60% to 74% in the same period.

ZDNET's buying advice

Priced at $300, the Satechi Thunderbolt 5 CubeDock is one of the more unique docking stations I've tested. Its SSD enclosure elevates what would've been an ordinary docking station into something special. Combined with the excellent Thunderbolt 5 ports, this is an easy recommendation for professionals who regularly work with large files and need the high speeds.

I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, however. Its relatively modest port selection and reliance on Thunderbolt 5 make it a niche product. If you'd like a more affordable alternative, I recommend the Belkin Universal 11-in-1 Pro Dock.