So I finally ditched my 2013 Mac pro/1st gen Apollo Twin for the new M1 MBP/ Apollo X4

Now I just need a thunderbolt dock to connect my interface, external SSD, and external display all at once for an easy and clean set up.

Now I'm debating on a T4 dock and a T3 dock. I found a used Belkin T3 dock for about half the price of a new T4.

Now the only two reasons I'm even considering shelling out to get the T4 is the interface and SSD.

1. I hear with T3 docks, you cannot have multiple thunderbolt devices using it at once. Which means if I get a T3 SSD, I can't hook it up AND the Apollo to the T3 dock.

Now I currently have a USB-C ssd which is probably ok, but I've been considering upgrading to a Thunderbolt SSD.

I'm no engineer so can anyone testify to whether a thunderbolt SSD is going to be better for running lots of Kontakt instances and libraries? Or if it doesn't really make a difference in the drive performance compared to a USB-C SSD?

1. Secondly, this is a more minor matter since I'm probably going to be good for the next 5 maybe 10 years with the X4, but I'm just wondering when UAD and others are going to come out with a thunderbolt 4 interface. However, just in case they start coming out with T4 Apollos within the next few years I'd just feel better knowing I don't have to upgrade my dock as well.

Now I know for both of my concerns the simple solution is to just plug in my SSD to the dock and interface directly to my MBP or vice versa. BUT the only reason I'm spending hundreds of dollars on a thunderbolt dock is so that I can plug my MBP into a single dock and be good to go.

Now I have a few more questions regarding using a thunderbolt dock.

1. Am I theoretically getting ANY additional latency connecting my Apollo through the dock vs. direct?

Let's say I have everything hooked up to the dock as is ideal. SSD, interface, HDMI display, midi controller, other USB-A devices...etc.

Is this going to be introduce some sort of latency with my interface? Is it better to just have everything else going through the dock and go direct with the interface? (Then in that case do I even need an expensive thunderbolt dock as opposed to a simple unpowered hub?)

1. Is the power from the Belkin thunderbolt 3/4 dock enough to power my MBP so I don't even have to deal with the magsafe? I literally just connect to the dock and everything's good to go?