Plugable Showcases Local, Secure AI and Next-Generation Thunderbolt Innovations at CES 2026

The TBT5-AI brings local, air-gapped AI inference to the desk, while the TBT-UDH2 Docking Station leverages Thunderbolt 5 to shatter bandwidth bottlenecks for high-performance workstations

LAS VEGAS — January 5, 2026 — Plugable today announced two new Thunderbolt innovations it will showcase at CES 2026: TBT5-AI, a secure, desk-side AI enclosure for local inference with your data, and TBT-UDH2, a new Thunderbolt 5 docking solution designed for modern, high-performance workstations.

With AI adoption accelerating across business and government, and higher-bandwidth computing becoming the new baseline, many regulated organizations are still stuck between what technology promises and what they can safely deploy. Plugable’s CES 2026 announcements are designed to close that gap, delivering practical, high-performance solutions that integrate into existing IT environments without compromising control, security, or compatibility.

Both products build on Plugable’s deep Thunderbolt expertise and channel-first approach, extending trusted desk-side hardware into new categories where performance, security, and deployment discipline matter most.

TBT5-AI: Secure, Desk-Side AI for Data You Can’t Send to the Cloud - Intelligence YOU Own™

TBT5-AI is a secure, desk-side AI system built for organizations that need powerful AI while keeping sensitive data off public cloud services. Built as a Thunderbolt-connected AI enclosure for modern Windows laptops, it enables teams to run AI locally and “chat with their data” across contracts, records, and internal databases, while keeping information private, auditable, and under organizational control.

Unlike cloud-based AI tools that require sending prompts and documents to public AI APIs, TBT5-AI runs AI workloads locally connected over Thunderbolt. Unlike some other local AI solutions, the TBT5-AI doesn’t require Linux. It enables AI-heavy use cases with existing Windows laptops.

Plugable has developed an innovative, open-source software layer (Apache 2.0 licensed), which supports transparent and auditable data flows for IT and security teams. TAA-compliant hardware and U.S.-aligned assembly help support public-sector requirements. TBT5-AI is also configurable with GPU options to scale performance by need.

Plugable’s focus on plug-and-play AI and data security is well-suited for organizations handling PII and sensitive records, including government agencies, law firms, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and educational organizations. Use cases include document analysis and Q&A, natural language database queries, and custom inference workloads.

“AI adoption shouldn’t force organizations to choose between innovation and control,” said Bernie Thompson, CTO of Plugable. “TBT5-AI is designed for teams that want practical, high-performance AI while keeping their data exactly where it belongs, on their own systems, under their own policies.”

Delivered through Plugable’s established IT channel partners and system integrators, TBT5-AI aligns with existing procurement, deployment, and security models. Its GPU-swappable enclosure enables performance to scale over time, while open-standards-based integrations allow partners to connect TBT5-AI to internal file shares, databases, and line-of-business systems.

TBT-UDH2: First Available Thunderbolt 5 Dock With Dual HDMI 2.1

Plugable is also introducing TBT-UDH2, a next-generation Thunderbolt 5 docking station designed for high-performance laptops and workstations that demand maximum bandwidth, flexibility, and reliability.

The TBT-UDH2 is a 16-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 docking station engineered for high-performance workstations to deliver maximum throughput and connectivity. Leveraging Thunderbolt 5 Bandwidth Boost™, the dock provides up to 120Gbps for dual 8K 60Hz or dual 4K displays at 120Hz and beyond. Video performance is driven by two built-in HDMI 2.1 ports, ensuring compatibility with the latest high resolution, high refresh rate monitors without relying on dongles.

Connectivity features more USB-C than ever before – five USB-C ports, including a downstream Thunderbolt 5 port for further powerful expansion, and 2x front-facing 30W charging ports. The dock delivers 140W host charging via PD 3.1 and integrates essential I/O, including 2.5GbE and UHS-II SD and microSD slots, to handle massive data throughput alongside high-resolution video, and 3x USB-A ports for legacy peripherals.

Like the TBT5-AI, the TBT-UDH2 is designed for enterprise deployment with features like driverless setup, flexible vertical or horizontal orientation, and security lock slots. IT departments will appreciate the dock’s future-proof performance, long-term reliability, and broad compatibility for mixed-host environments. To meet the rigorous procurement requirements of government and corporate sectors, the docking station is TAA compliant.

Availability at CES 2026

Plugable will showcase TBT5-AI and the new TBT-UDH2 at CES 2026, including live demonstrations at Pepcom and scheduled briefings for select media and partners. To schedule a meeting, please reach out to plugable@maxborgesagency.com.

TBT5-AI is designed exclusively for business and government use and will be offered through Plugable’s channel and system integrator ecosystem. The TBT-UDH2, expected to launch in Q2 of 2026 in North America, represents Plugable’s next-generation Thunderbolt docking platform for modern, high-performance workflows, and will be available for $349.95 with a 20% launch deal at Amazon, and Plugable.com, with volume and business purchases available through our affiliate partners.