Highpoint releases world's first Thunderbolt 2 dock

Highpoint Thunderbolt 2 Dock

Highpoint has long been known for its RAID controllers but it also makes external docks for increased connectivity, and it has just released the world's first Thunderbolt 2 dock with USB3, E-SATA and Gigabit Ethernet.

 If you have a MacBook Pro or another Thunderbolt 2 equipped device you may find yourself running out of ports for connecting devices. The latest MacBooks only have two Thunderbolt 2 ports and 2 USB3 ports so it is easy to run out of options for connecting peripherals and storage.

Highpoint has just released an expansion dock with Thunderbolt 2 connectivity which has two more USB3 ports capable of 5Gb/s transfers, an E-SATA port capable of 6Gb/s transfers and a Gigabit Ethernet port.

The RocketStor 6351A has two Thunderbolt 2 connections so you can still daisy chain other Thunderbolt devices through it and it has its own power supply so even when it is not connected to your computer it can still be used to charge USB devices.

In addition the second Thunderbolt 2 port could be used to drive a Thunderbolt Monitor from Apple or LG

The RocketStor is available for $299 without a Thunderbolt cable and $339 including a Thunderbolt cable. You can read Highpoint's full press release after the break

HighPoint Launches the Industry’s first Thunderbolt™ 2 I/O Connectivity Dock! Will begin shipping worldwide, in September 2014.

September 2014, Milpitas, CA. HighPoint Technologies has launched the world’s first Thunderbolt™ 2 powered I/O Connectivity dock – the RocketStor 6351A. Its innovative design moves beyond convenience and simplicity; we have optimized the Thunderbolt™ 2 bandwidth to deliver dedicated performance for USB 3.0 and eSATA connectivity. The stylish, all-aluminum dock is ideal for compact desktop and portable systems with Thunderbolt™ connectivity, and allows customers to manage all of their peripherals from a single device!

“Thunderbolt 2 introduces an entirely new way of thinking about fast connectivity”, said Jason Ziller, Marketing Director for Thunderbolt™ at Intel. “Customers need flexibility, simplicity and performance, all core features of Thunderbolt 2. The RocketStor 6351A embodies these key elements, which makes it an ideal connectivity solution for professionals and enthusiasts alike.”

“We are proud to have launched the industry’s first Thunderbolt 2 dock with dedicated I/O performance to the marketplace.” said Michael Whang, President and CEO of HighPoint Technologies, Inc. “The RocketStor 6351A embodies our product design philosophy: optimizing storage and connectivity technology to deliver maximum performance, at the industry’s most affordable price point.”

Dedicated Performance Architecture

The RocketStor 6351A is the Industry’s Fastest Thunderbolt™ I/O Dock, and the first to feature Thunderbolt™ 2 connectivity. The 20Gb/s of transfer bandwidth delivered by Thunderbolt™ 2 connectivity enables the RocketStor 6351A to fully implement our Dedicated Performance Architecture.

Each of the dual 5Gb/s USB 3.0 ports and 6Gb/s eSATA port is powered by dedicated controller, and deliver uncompromised transfer performance for external hard drives, SSD’s, disk enclosures, and drive docks.

The dual Thunderbolt™ 2 ports support daisy-chain configurations, and can link up to 5 additional Thunderbolt devices to your system!

High-Speed USB Charging Station

Each 5Gb/s USB 3.0 port can be used as a charging station, and supports Rapid Charging Modes for Apple iOS devices such as iPads, iPhones, and SuperDrive’s. The RocketStor 6351A intelligently manages the flow of power to avoid overcharging. In addition, the RocketStor 6351A can charge devices without a Thunderbolt™ connection; simply leave the unit’s power cable plugged and utilize the dock as an all-purpose charging station!

Supports 4K Video Displays

Either Thunderbolt™ 2 port can be used as a dedicated video output for high resolution display devices, including Thunderbolt™ 2 monitors from LG, and the Apple Thunderbolt™ Display. In addition, each of the dedicated 5Gb/s USB ports can easily host HDMI adapters for additional display devices such as LCD TV’s or monitors.

Eliminates Workspace Clutter!

Each lightweight, all-aluminum chassis measures only 7” in size, weights little more than 2 pounds, and can easily rest in the palm of your open hand! Unlike many I/O docks and adapters, each device port, and connector is located on a single panel for ease of access. This simple, clean design is ideal for crowded workspaces, small for-factor workstations and portable computers.

Always on the Go? One Connection is all you need!

Looking for the perfect connectivity solution for high-performance portables and desktop replacements? The RocketStor 6351A is the answer. One connection is all you need; once you setup the RocketStor and your favorite peripherals for the first time, you’ll never have worry about cable clutter again!

Need to leave at a moment’s notice? Just unplug the Thunderbolt™ cable and you are good to go! Hate having to reattach all of your devices whenever you find some free time to blow off steam? Simply plug in the Thunderbolt cable and let the dock handle the rest!

RocketStor 6351A - North American MSRP: USD $299 (w/out cable), USD $339 (with cable)

• Dual Thunderbolt™ 2 Ports, with bandwidth speeds up to 20Gb/s
• Simple Design with Versatile I/O Connectivity
• Dedicated Performance for each Device Port:

o   2x 5Gb/s USB 3.0 ports

o   1x 6Gb/s eSATA ports

• Fast and Convenient USB Charging support for all iOS devices (requires OS X 10.9.2)
• Audio Ports
• Gigabit Ethernet Port
• For Thunderbolt™ 2 capable Mac (OS X 10.8.6 and later) / PC platforms (Windows 7 and later)

Why Choose HighPoint?

For the past 19 years, HighPoint Technologies has been a pioneering force in the storage industry, delivering a wide range of storage controllers for all levels of production; from Chipsets & RAID HBA to today’s external Storage & Adapter Device Solutions. Our hardware and FW engineering teams have been at the forefront of the storage industry for the better part of two decades.  We specialize in performance oriented user-application focused design, development and manufacture, and continuously work to improve our products based on direct feedback from our valued customers. Over the years, we have forged strong alliances and technology partnerships with industry-leading storage providers, which enable us to quickly deliver the latest in storage technology to the global marketplace.

Product Design Philosophy: Taking the Complexity and High Cost out of today’s Cutting Edge Storage Technology

HighPoint understand the importance and appeal of high performance in today’s marketplace. HighPoint’s mission is to deliver quality, cutting storage performance at affordable price points - from business and professional media applications, to personalized solutions for the home enthusiast and power user.

HighPoint Technologies, Inc.

1161 Cadillac Ct. Milpitas, CA 95035

Phone: 1-408-942-5800 | Fax: 1-408-942-5801| E-mail:sales@highpoint-tech.com