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HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 Review 2026 - Specs, Pros & Cons

7.8 Very Good
Adrian Cel By Adrian Cel

The HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 is a business-focused Thunderbolt 4 docking station that combines enterprise-grade connectivity and security in a compact cube form factor. Measuring just 3.9 x 3.9 x 2.7 inches, this dock includes four USB-A, two USB-C, two DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI 2.0, Thunderbolt 4, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. It can drive up to four 4K displays simultaneously on compatible systems using DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression, making it one of the most capable docks for multi-monitor productivity setups. The dock delivers up to 100W of power to your laptop through a single Thunderbolt 4 cable, enough to charge most business notebooks while running all peripherals. What sets the HP G4 apart from consumer-focused docks is its HP Sure Start security technology, which meets NIST 800-193 compliance requirements and prevents firmware-level attacks through the dock. For IT departments managing fleets of HP notebooks, the dock also offers centralized management capabilities. It lacks an audio jack and SD card reader (features found on competing docks like the CalDigit TS4), but the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 compensates with four-display support and enterprise security features that no other dock in its class offers.

Best for Business Multi-Display Champion

Pros & Cons

What We Like

  • Supports up to four 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously with DSC-capable host
  • 100W Power Delivery charges most business laptops through a single cable
  • HP Sure Start enterprise security meets NIST 800-193 compliance
  • 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet for faster wired networking
  • Extremely compact cube design (3.9 x 3.9 x 2.7 inches) saves desk space
  • No third-party drivers required, native Thunderbolt 4 plug and play
  • Competitively priced at $329 compared to premium Thunderbolt 4 docks

What Could Be Better

  • No 3.5mm audio jack, requires USB or Bluetooth audio devices

    Workaround: Use a USB audio adapter or Bluetooth headphones.

  • No SD or microSD card reader

    Workaround: Use an external USB card reader connected to one of the dock's USB-A ports.

  • Non-removable host cable, cannot be replaced if damaged
  • macOS multi-display support is severely limited (mirror mode only via MST)

    Workaround: Mac users with M1 Pro/Max or later can use native multi-display support, bypassing MST limitations.

  • Lower DisplayPort and USB-C DP Alt Mode port are mutually exclusive

    Workaround: Plan your display connections to use the HDMI, upper DisplayPort, and either the lower DisplayPort OR the USB-C DP Alt Mode port.

  • Dock power button only works with supported HP commercial notebooks

Display Support

Max Displays: 4
1 display (Single 4K@60Hz via any video output (HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C DP Alt Mode))
3840x2160 @ 60Hz
2 displays (Dual 4K@60Hz via DisplayPort 1.4. Requires host with DP 1.4 and DSC support.)
3840x2160 @ 60Hz
3 displays (Triple 4K@60Hz requires host with DP 1.4 and Display Stream Compression (DSC). Note: lower DP port and USB-C DP Alt Mode port are mutually exclusive.)
3840x2160 @ 60Hz
4 displays (Quad 4K@60Hz requires host with DP 1.4, DSC, and 4 DP streams. All four video outputs used simultaneously.)
3840x2160 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

1x USB-C 3.2 15W
1x USB-C 3.2
2x USB-A 3.2 7.5W
2x USB-A 3.2

Video Outputs

2x DisplayPort 1.4
1x HDMI 2.0

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps / 2.5 Gbps)

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer HP
Model 4J0A2AA#ABA
Release Date 2022-05
MSRP $329
Connectivity
Host Connection Thunderbolt 4
Max Data Rate 40 Gbps
Driver Required No (native)
Display Output
Max Displays 4
1x Display 3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Single 4K@60Hz via any video output (HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C DP Alt Mode))
2x Display 3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Dual 4K@60Hz via DisplayPort 1.4. Requires host with DP 1.4 and DSC support.)
3x Display 3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Triple 4K@60Hz requires host with DP 1.4 and Display Stream Compression (DSC). Note: lower DP port and USB-C DP Alt Mode port are mutually exclusive.)
4x Display 3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Quad 4K@60Hz requires host with DP 1.4, DSC, and 4 DP streams. All four video outputs used simultaneously.)
Ports (9+ total)
USB-C 3.2 1x (15W)
USB-C 3.2 1x
USB-A 3.2 2x (7.5W)
USB-A 3.2 2x
DisplayPort 1.4 2x
HDMI 2.0 1x
Ethernet (RJ45) 1x 1 Gbps / 2.5 Gbps
Power
Power Input DC-barrel
Laptop Charging Up to 100W

Compatibility

Windows (10 (19H1)+)

Full support including quad 4K displays with DSC-capable host. HP provides full driver and firmware support.

macOS (12.1 (Monterey)+)

Basic functionality supported. Multi-display limited to mirrored mode due to macOS lack of MST support. HP does not provide Ethernet and audio drivers for Mac.

Linux (Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (kernel 5.14)+)

Supported. Firmware updates available on Linux.

ChromeOS

Supported on ChromeOS M101 and later with Thunderbolt-equipped Chromebooks.

Known Issues

Base M1/M2/M3 MacBook Air/Pro

Limited to single external display

macOS, multi-display extended mode

macOS does not support DisplayPort MST in extended mode

Non-HP notebooks

Dock power button and LED do not function

7.8 /10

Our Verdict

Very Good

The HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 is an excellent choice for business and enterprise users who prioritize security, multi-display support, and reliable connectivity. Its ability to drive up to four 4K displays is a standout feature that few Thunderbolt 4 docks can match, and the 100W power delivery is sufficient for most business laptops. The HP Sure Start security and NIST 800-193 compliance make it the go-to option for security-conscious IT departments. However, the dock does have notable omissions: no audio jack and no SD card reader, which may disappoint creative professionals. The non-removable host cable is a reliability concern, and macOS users will face limitations with multi-display configurations due to Apple's lack of MST support. At $329 MSRP, it is competitively priced against the CalDigit TS4 ($379.99) but offers a different set of trade-offs. For Windows-based business environments, especially those using HP notebooks, this dock is hard to beat. Mac users and creative professionals should consider the CalDigit TS4 instead.

Available at Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

How many monitors can the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 support?
The HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 supports up to four 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, but this requires a host laptop with DisplayPort 1.4 and Display Stream Compression (DSC) support. Without DSC, you can still run dual 4K@60Hz displays. On macOS, multi-display support is limited by Apple's MST restrictions.
Does the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 work with MacBooks?
Yes, the dock is compatible with macOS 12.1 (Monterey) and later. However, there are limitations: macOS does not support DisplayPort MST in extended mode, so multiple displays may only work in mirrored mode. Mac users with M1 Pro/Max or later chips can use native multi-display support. HP does not provide Ethernet and audio drivers for macOS.
Does the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 have an audio jack?
No, the HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G4 does not include a 3.5mm audio jack. For audio output, you will need to use USB headphones, a USB audio adapter, Bluetooth audio devices, or audio via HDMI/DisplayPort to a monitor with built-in speakers.
Can the HP Thunderbolt Dock G4 charge my laptop?
Yes, the 120W model delivers up to 100W of power to your laptop through the Thunderbolt 4 cable. This is sufficient to charge most business notebooks, including larger 15-inch models, while running all connected peripherals.
What is HP Sure Start on the Thunderbolt Dock G4?
HP Sure Start is an enterprise security feature built into the dock that protects against firmware-level attacks. It meets NIST 800-193 compliance requirements, ensuring that hackers cannot use the dock as an entry point to attack your network or notebook. This makes it particularly suitable for corporate and government environments.

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