We are often asked if we offer a USB-C or Thunderbolt switch to enable toggling an existing dock or hub between two computers with the push of a button. While this concept is appealing, creating such a device is not as feasible as it may sound due to the inherent complexities of USB-C and Thunderbolt protocols.

USB-C and Thunderbolt are significantly more advanced than say, USB 3.0 or HDMI, which do have switches that exist. A switch designed for these protocols must seamlessly manage:

• Data Transfer: High-speed USB 10Gbps or Thunderbolt 40Gbps data streams.
• Video Output: USB-C Alternate Mode or Thunderbolt video output, supporting resolutions up to 4K or 8K.
• Power Delivery: Negotiating up to 240W of power to connected devices.
• PCIe Lanes: Thunderbolt protocols include PCI Express lanes for additional device functionality.

Each of these components requires precise negotiation between the connected devices. Switching all of these simultaneously introduces significant technical challenges, often leading to instability and intermittent errors.

Attempts by other manufacturers to produce USB-C or Thunderbolt switches have generally resulted in negative user feedback. Common issues include inconsistent (or complete lack of) functionality, or in some rare cases, system damage. On the other hand, those that are more positively received are not targeted for consumers and are very expensive. 

While the current challenges of balancing quality with cost make a reliable USB-C or Thunderbolt switch unfeasible, we still understand the desire for a device like this, so we are monitoring advancements and exploring solutions to make this possible.

If you’d like to learn more about the switching solutions that Plugable offers, we have written a blog post that speaks to our USB switches and “KVM”-like applications with it.