I'll say it again and again. It's not a comparison if wyou don't have the hardware or software in your hot little hands. Doing a lengthy article comparing specs is hardly a comparison of real world use, performance and fit and function. I've never seen an auto magazine do a car comparison without driving all the cars. Just my two cents.

Apple Insider is famous for doing a spec comparison of devices. I want and expect a hands on comparison not some mythical industry spec off. These aren't generic. How they work and feel in real life is important. As Xed noted, how the OS performs is critical to a comprehensive evaluation. 

In the early 2000s I had a part time gig at Circuit City (another long gone electronics retailer). I was hired by an Apple contractor to be an 'Apple Expert' on weekends at the local Circuit City. It was my first foray into retail. I didn't 'sell' anything, only providing demos and Apple Expertise. As an observer I couldn't believe how long and complex a PC sales transaction took. Someone would be tied up for hours with a salesman picking out mice, keyboards, printers, memory, processor etc and dealing with hundreds of coupons and rebates. In iMac/iBook land they'd pick up a box and walk out! This was when the first iMovie program came out and I'd amaze customers with my ability to quickly make a DVD from some short clips on my digital video camera. Crazy. Wasn't sad when they yanked the plug on the program. Never went back to retail.

OWC sells what looks like the same dock with a slightly different housing for $229. 
I have mine hooked to an ethernet cable and my MacBook Air M2 still does wifi while connected.

11-Port Thunderbolt Dock