I use this $45 gadget to keep my 2016 laptop relevant in 2026

I never enter the buying experience for a device without thinking about how long it could last me. If I'm going to be spending money on something, I want to get all I can out of it. It's why I still have an iPhone 13 (which I will say is on its last legs and I will need to upgrade soon) and a Kindle Fire 7 (which still works perfectly fine).

This also extends to one of the laptops that I use, which is a 2016 MacBook Pro that was passed down to me by my mother-in-law. I had been using a 2015 HP 15er for about eight years and it started slowing down considerably. She was getting rid of her MacBook Pro, so I took it. My wife and I do share a 2021 MacBook Pro M1 as a family computer, which is what I use a lot of the time. But I still can get a lot out of the 2016 Apple laptop, mostly because of the four Thunderbolt 3 ports that it has.

The Thunderbolt 3 ports are there for a reason

But you have to adapt your thinking if you come from a different layout

My company issued a Lenovo ThinkPad to me for work and I've rotated between Macs and PCs for personal and work purposes at home. I'm comfortable in both environments and have learned a lot about the secret tricks and hacks for both to try and optimize the experiences.

One of the biggest differences between the Windows laptop and the MacBook is the ports. The ThinkPad has two Thunderbolt 3 ports as well as an HDMI port and a USB-A port. Apple strictly providing four Thunderbolt 3 ports was a choice that does require the user to be aligned with that technology. Thunderbolt 3 was introduced in 2015, so it makes sense why Apple went all in for a 2016 MacBook Pro. Many times, Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 is highlighted by a small lightning bolt icon, but in my laptop's case, that isn't true.

It offers a ton of upside, like providing 40 Gbps of bandwidth for high-speed data, and supporting DisplayPort to boost graphics. But it does also limit what you can use, unless you're smart about it. That's why I invested in a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core shortly after I was given this.

The Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core provides versatility

It makes my MacBook Pro more useful

The Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core is a 7-in-1 docking station that works for Mac or Windows, so I can use it with the ThinkPad as well. It was the first dual-powered dock that was Thunderbolt-certified.

I think I would've relied on something like an external dock even if I had purchased this MacBook Pro in 2016. For example, I've always preferred to use a wired mouse to a wireless one and the one I prefer, a Logitech M500s, which was the standard company issue years ago that I liked, has a USB-A plug.

To keep using that with any computer I have, the Belkin dock makes it possible for the MacBook Pro. The docking station has a dedicated Thunderbolt 3 cable that plugs into the laptop, so I don't have to provide my own. Plugging this into one of the ports then expands my uses because it provides a DisplayPort, an HDMI 2.0 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a USB-C PD input port, two USB-A ports, and a headphone jack port.

Being able to plug my mouse into one of the USB-A ports lets me use it with ease. The other USB-A port can be used for all kinds of devices, including external keyboards, hard drives, and USB sticks. One of the best uses for my MacBook Pro is photo storage, as I've been able to upload many from my old flash drives to the computer to store them locally and then keep them in the cloud.

Expanding my view with a new display

This makes my workspace larger

With the help of the Belkin dock, I can add dual monitors to my workspace if I want. It supports dual 4K UHD monitors at 60Hz, giving me a high-definition view of whatever is on my screen. I use it with a Dell monitor to provide a clearer view of documents, websites, and my own writing.

Because of the design of the MacBook Pro, I can plug the Belkin into either side of the laptop, meaning I can set up my workspace however I like. This means I can set up the monitor on whichever side I need to use it more effectively. I have it to the left and the Belkin behind my laptop plugged into the right side of the laptop, which reaches because the cable is a little over 7.5 inches.

The Belkin Thunderbolt cord that's attached also provides 60W of charging for my laptop, so no matter what Thunderbolt 3 port it's plugged into, it charges the laptop. It actually relies on the power of the laptop to run, as there isn't an external power cable included.

I get the most out of my old laptop thanks to this docking station

My 2016 MacBook Pro has lasted a long time and it continues to be useful, thanks in large part to the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Core. This 7-in-1 docking station has served me as one of the best Thunderbolt accessories for my Mac I've used by letting me plug in an HD monitor and a mouse for everyday use. It expands my workspace and has helped me use my computer to store photos from flash drives from over the years. It has extended the use of my old laptop.