Sonnet Technologies has launched the Echo 15, a dock for devices with Thunderbolt-based ports.
The Echo 15 features four USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire 800 port, two external eSata connections, one internal SATA connector and a Thunderbolt pass-thru for connecting with another Thunderbolt device or a monitor. It also has standard computer media connections such as headphones and mic jacks along with a DVD±RW optical disc drive (upgradable to Blu-ray). A 2TB hard drive is optional as well.
A Sonnet release points out the use of devices such as the Echo 15: “With the introduction of newer, thinner, lighter computers, manufacturers continue to remove interfaces and optical drives that were once standard. The Echo 15 Thunderbolt Dock offers a simple way to restore FireWire 800, Gigabit Ethernet, eSATA, audio and add additional USB 3.0 connectivity … ”