Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display HDMI or DisplayPort Horizontal Docking Station review
In the era of hybrid work environments, having a reliable docking station can significantly increase productivity. Pluggable USB-C dual-way 4K The Display HDMI or DisplayPort docking station is designed for professionals who need multi-monitor support, excellent connectivity and powerful charging options, all with DisplayLink built-in. That’s what this pluggable dock offers.
It may be tailor-made for Mac, but through the design language and use of DisplayLink, it can work with any operating system. reviewed many The best laptop docking stationsI’ve tried it on Windows, iPadOS, and MacOS. While the latter two have limitations on screen usage, it’s nice to know you’re set up to use multiple monitors one way or another.
Pluggable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Docking Station: Pricing and Availability
The Plugable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Docking Station is available directly from the Plugable website for $200, or Amazon And comes with a two-year warranty and lifetime support from the Plugable team.
Pluggable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Docking Station: Unboxing and First Impressions
The pluggable USB-C dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort docking station looks very simple overall. The packaging is simple, the labels are clear, and the included DisplayLink is very conspicuous. The best part, though, is that while this base is relatively wide, it has clean lines, flat sides (not rounded or bulging), and is fairly thin. In my opinion, this makes it a perfect candidate for installation, and that’s exactly what I did.
The only difference from simple plug and play is whether you use the DisplayLink feature. If you’re not using it with a MacBook or only plan to use one monitor, you can run this dock as a plug-and-play solution. This is how I manage my desk about 70% of the time. The other 30% of the time, I add another monitor or change monitors to test on this desk. When I do this, I need to run the DisplayLink driver and software on my MacBook Pro, which is very easy to download and relatively lightweight.
Pluggable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Docking Station: Design and Build Quality
Specification
Video output: Dual 4K @ 60Hz via 2x HDMI or 2x DisplayPort.
port: 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort, 2x USB-C, 4x USB 3.0, SD/microSD card reader, Ethernet, 3.5mm jack.
Power delivery: 100W laptop charging.
compatibility: macOS, Windows, ChromeOS (macOS requires driver installation).
The port arrangement on this dock is laid out based on desk organization. The quick-access ports on the front are easy to access, and the ports on the back are nicely laid out for easy use even when your back is to your desk. All the monitor connections and devices that normally stay connected (rather than being constantly unplugged and unplugged) are also neatly arranged.
The USB-C on the side connects to a hidden laptop cable so I can route it around my desk stand or connect directly to my laptop. In my case, I used one of my new favorite accessories, the Right-Angle 40Gbps USB-C Adapter, to help keep everything tucked away neatly.
I could see this dock being used both at home and in a traditional office workspace. However, I don’t want it to be a portable base that I carry around with me since it’s designed to sit on a desk or workstation.
Removable USB-C dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort docking station: in use
My experience with this marina so far has been smooth. It handles my monitor usage with ease, and since it has both HDMI and DisplayPort, it can easily run a large number of my monitors – no adapters required. USB-A ports are great, and for some setups, that might be all you need; however, if you’re working with large files or many of the new generation USB-C or even Thunderbolt technologies, you might want to look at the different models that can Plug and unplug the docking station.
The best part about this dock is that it has built-in DisplayLink, allowing me to run multiple monitors on my limited MacBook Pro. It’s annoying, but I’m grateful that companies like Plugable put DisplayLink in their docks so I can circumvent this limitation in my setup.
| property | notes | grade |
|---|---|---|
| design | clean and simple | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Material quality | high quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Easy to use | Easy to use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Practicality | Very suitable for most people | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| price | Affordable price | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Pluggable USB-C Dual 4K HDMI or DisplayPort Docking Station: The Final Verdict
The pluggable USB-C dock offers superior functionality for power users who require high-resolution multi-monitor setups and powerful connectivity. While its driver dependence and lack of USB-C/Thunderbolt may deter some, its performance and built-in DisplayLink make it a worthwhile investment for many.
