During the rumor stages of the Nintendo Switch, back when it was still referred to as 'NX' there were a lot of sources claiming that it would be supplemental console, and that the dock would have hardware upgrades housed inside of it to make the Switch function better when connected to the TV. Obviously that did not happen, the dock is nothing more than a USB extender in a plastic shell.

BUT, what if the 'Switch Pro' that is being rumored now turns out to be something similar to the rumored dock? You wouldn't have to buy a whole new console, worry about transferring data, or have to worry about certain games not working across console upgrades, because it would still just be all one console. And this strategy could even be used to further future-proof the Switch. Every few years just release a new dock supplement to make the Switch more powerful, still just relying on the basic Switch console.

I wouldn't call this a prediction, but just some food for thought. I would honestly love it if this were the case because buying a new dock would be way easier and less expensive than a whole new console.

The port on the switch isn't fast enough to add enough of a jump to make gamers buy it.

I agree in future like for switch 2 the dock will play that part (if not Nintendo are clueless). But it needs to be build from the group out.

Nope. It doesn't help portable mode at all, which means that all games must still work with the power there's available right now. It might be viable as a short-term idea but it definitely can't replace releasing completely new consoles.

As Cobretti said, the USB port of the Switch isn't fast enough to handle all the data necessary to make it work.

Maybe with the Switch successor it will be a possibility, if it uses the new USB4 standard.

I'm think that is a possibility too.
Though I don't think of a dock with additional power, but rarher a TV box that plays Switch games stand-alone and can stream games on portable unit. Basically an Nvidia Shield, with WiiU stream funcionality

The problem is calling it a “Nintendo Switch Pro” when the only source article says “It is not a Nintendo Switch Pro.”

More than likely a Switch Gen 2 device family to replace the Gen 1s, though Gen 1 will likely have mandated support until at least gen 3’s release (or maybe even 5 years of Nintendo’s word is to be interpreted that way), and optional support thereafter.

As far as I know it is technically possible that a powered dock can handle some operations in addition to the console. This has always been my favourite option for a mid-gen upgrade. I don't need a more powerful console on the go, but some third party games really need more power (or better programmers).

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Not if the dock has all the processing units. The Switch would be a "slave" system, only providing input information, and game data. The dock would do everything. The Switch SOC would only be assisting the process - it wouldn't have to compute game related code on top of the dock. The dock would have it's own SOC and would do all game, graphics and AI calculations independently.

That would be classified as another console not a supplementary unit.

Honestly it does't make sense to do that now. Better to build it from ground up to ensure everything works as intended instead of retrofitted. Use it to bridge the gap next gen with PS5/XBOX4

Nintendo might as well just release a home fixed console that doesn't need the Switch handheld that can still run Switch software.

Save yourself money and complexity that way.

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In the end, this idea has been pushed around for what feels like years. Essentially... It's not going to happen, the USB port doesn't have the bandwidth necessary, it's also far to high latency.
And a dock that doesn't rely on the Switch handhelds internal capabilities is entirely redundant, you might as well sell it as a stand-alone home console that runs the current software library and be done with.