The Thunderbolt 5 dock market is expanding, with new products entering various price categories. This review focuses on two new sub-$400 options: the VectoTech V-Core at $349 and the Orico TB5 at $399. Both docks offer multiple USB and Thunderbolt ports, 2.5 GbE Ethernet, and internal M.2 storage slots.
The VectoTech V-Core features a candybar form factor designed to sit flat on a desk. Despite an initial appearance of aluminum, the dock is constructed almost entirely from plastic, including the chassis and much of the internal structure. This differs from most other Thunderbolt docks, which typically use aluminum for better heat dissipation under load.
Inside the V-Core, a cooling fan and a black aluminum heatsink are present to manage heat. The M.2 slot supports up to an 8TB 2280 SSD. Instead of a traditional screw, VectoTech uses a small plastic retaining clip to secure the SSD, which raised concerns about its reliability compared to standard mounting methods. Thermal pads are included for both sides of the SSD.
A notable omission in the VectoTech V-Core's port configuration is the absence of native HDMI or DisplayPort outputs. This requires users to rely on adapters or other solutions for video connectivity, which can be an inconvenience for many typical dock users.
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A review of the VectoTech V-Core Thunderbolt 5 dock found it to be constructed primarily of plastic, lacking native video output ports, and using a small plastic clip for M.2 SSD retention. These design choices raise concerns about heat dissipation and overall build quality compared to other Thunderbolt docks.