OWC's USB-C DEC docks under Apple's MacBook Pro, adds legacy ports and storage

A new peripheral from OWC connects to the underside of the new MacBook Pro, and adds a series of legacy ports plus up to 4TB of flash storage.

Features included in the OWC DEC module include up to 4TB of some form of SSD storage, a SD card slot, USB 3 Type A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and "other features to be announced at a later date." However, the ports as described by OWC are not shown on provided pictures of the assembly.

OWC claims that the device "attaches completely flush" to the 15-inch MacBook Pro. When connected, OWC notes that it makes the combined assembly "no thicker than a 2012 MacBook Pro" but which specific 2012 MacBook Pro model is referenced is unclear.

Little else is known about the device, beyond what ports it includes. Not clear is what kind of SSD storage fits inside the DEC, how the device attaches to the computer mechanically, and if the connection is USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3.

Images of the upcoming accessory show a USB-C port on its right side, presumably its method of connection to the MacBook Pro. But product mockups show the port empty while docked.

AppleInsider has contacted OWC for comment on more of the device's details, and will update accordingly.

The OWC DEC will ship in Spring 2017 and a prototype will be shown at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show. Pricing is not yet available.

39 Comments

entropys 13 Years · 4316 comments

About 7 years ago

That looks just like the design of the fabled Powerbook G5!
Are there fans?

thedba 12 Years · 790 comments

jsmythe00 said:

Damn....you're paying to upgrade to the latest tech...which then requires you to purchase legacy tech to make your product functional.

Apple is great at most of the few things it does. This isn't one of them.

Or this is one of many solutions out there that support your legacy tech. All you have to do is choose which one is right for you.
But if you really are attached to all your old equipment, maybe you should not be purchasing new tech.

If Apple were to do focus groups and listen to all naysayers, then the new MBP's would have at least one of each of the following
1) Firewire
2) Ethernet
3) VGA
4) USB-A
5) SD card slot
6) HDMI
7) Thunderbolt 2 / Display port
8) Magsafe
9) Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
10) CD/DVD drive
11) Toslink
12) 3.5mm Analog jack
13) Lightning

andrewj5790 9 Years · 296 comments

thedba said:

jsmythe00 said:

Damn....you're paying to upgrade to the latest tech...which then requires you to purchase legacy tech to make your product functional.

Apple is great at most of the few things it does. This isn't one of them.

Or this is one of many solutions out there that support your legacy tech. All you have to do is choose which one is right for you.
But if you really are attached to all your old equipment, maybe you should not be purchasing new tech.

If Apple were to do focus groups and listen to all naysayers, then the new MBP's would have at least one of each of the following
1) Firewire
2) Ethernet
3) VGA
4) USB-A
5) SD card slot
6) HDMI
7) Thunderbolt 2 / Display port
8) Magsafe
9) Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
10) CD/DVD drive
11) Toslink
12) 3.5mm Analog jack
13) Lightning

Thank you for your reasonable post! Not many around these days... Though, you forgot, 14)Floppy Drive and 15) pinned mouse and keyboard connectors instead of that horrid new USB junk

bdkennedy1002 12 Years · 540 comments

Cool! It solves a problem that didn't have to exist and costs more money.

MacPro 18 Years · 19845 comments

Strange the ports don't show on the image. If it were a mock up they could have faked them, especially if it's a photorealistic illustration. Could they be hidden by a flap?