Plugable USB-C Twin 4K Show Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) overview – Uplaza

Worth When Reviewed

$199.95

Finest Costs At this time: Plugable USB-C Twin 4K Show Docking Station (UD-6950PDH)

Plugable has radically redesigned its standard UD-6950PDH docking station, which now involves the eye of homeowners of the M1 and M2 (and to a lesser diploma M3) Macs. With this docking station, Macs with the plain (non-Professional or Max) M1 and M2 processor can join two additional shows, whereas in default mode these Macs are restricted to only one exterior show.

As we clarify in our characteristic on the best way to join two or extra shows to an M1 and M2 Mac, this bonus performance requires the consumer to put in a DisplayLink software program driver to get round Apple’s irritating limitation.

Whereas plain M3 (and shortly M4) MacBooks can join to 2 exterior shows, the laptop computer’s personal display should be off with the laptop computer’s lid closed. A DisplayLink dock permits that M3 MacBook to stay open with the 2 further shows connected.

Specs and options

The Plugable USB-C Twin 4K Show Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) options a formidable 13 ports alongside its DisplayLink M1/M2-display savior operate.

• USB-C upstream connector to laptop computer (100W PD 3.0)
• 1x USB-C (5Gbps, 7.5W)
• 1x USB-A (5Gbps, 7.5W)
• 3x USB-A (5Gbps, 4.5W)
• 2x DisplayPort 1.2 ports
• 2x HDMI 1.4 ports
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)
• MicroSD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)
• 3.5mm audio
• 134W energy provide

There’s a number of ports right here however you gained’t get information switch any quicker than 5Gbps as that’s the highest pace of all of the USB ports, together with the upstream USB-C to the laptop computer.

Most Macs boast 40Gbps Thunderbolt today, so if you happen to require prime data-transfer speeds it is best to think about one other of our greatest Thunderbolt docks for Mac. 10Gbps is the USB-C norm today, however if you’d like 40Gbps in a dock that additionally provides DisplayLink performance, take a look at the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink.

The Plugable dock ships with a 1m (3.3ft) USB-C cable that theoretically can deal with 10Gbps however essentially the most you’ll get from the dock is 5Gbps. The 5Gbps upstream port that you simply use to hook up with the laptop computer is handily situated on one of many ends of the dock, reasonably than on the entrance as some dock producers insist on doing.

There’s just one downstream USB-C port (to a tool apart from the host laptop computer) however 4 old-school USB-A ports. We’d want extra USB-C ports than USB-A, which is getting a bit lengthy within the tooth now. Plugable isn’t alone in nonetheless offering loads of USB-A ports, and I count on it is aware of extra about its viewers than I do however I sit up for the day when USB-A is now not a consideration.

That singular USB-C port and one of many USB-A ports supply 7.5W of machine charging energy—which, whereas higher than the opposite ports’ weedy 4.5W energy output, continues to be not quite a lot of use if you wish to cost even a cellphone from the dock. 7.5W is okay for low-power storage units (and equal to a MagSafe-compatible wi-fi charger), however the dock loses factors for not having a minimum of one downstream 20W or increased USB output.

An exterior SSD drive would possibly solely want round 3W of energy, so the USBs listed here are going to have the ability to deal with that load however it’s possible you’ll want the 7.5W on some storage units that you simply join, particularly if they’re writing information. Exterior HDDs are extra power-hungry so even 7.5W is likely to be somewhat mild.

Nonetheless, the passthrough PD 3.0 energy from the dock to the laptop computer is spectacular at 100W. The utmost energy output is set by the 134W energy provide, however the frivolously powered USB ports imply that it gained’t fret even absolutely loaded.

On prime of the USB ports is Gigabit Ethernet for quick and secure wired community entry, and two storage card readers.

Whereas it’s versatile in providing each SD and MicroSD card readers, it’s odd that the SD reader is quick UHS-II (312MBps) whereas the MicroSD is pegged again at 104MBps. Whereas we’ve seen docks with each both UHS-I or UHS-II, we’ve by no means seen this pace disparity between readers on one dock earlier than. MicroSD playing cards are sometimes cheaper than SD playing cards so having this format on the slower pace is one thing a disappointment. That mentioned, until you require super-fast information switch from the cardboard, it shouldn’t hassle you an excessive amount of.

Velocity apart, having these card readers opens up a world of ultra-affordable moveable storage with SD playing cards providing as much as 2TB in a tiny package deal. On the time of writing, Amazon is promoting a SanDisk 1.5TB MicroSD card for $110. A 512GB model prices below $50. Word that reminiscence card costs are fairly risky so preserve on the lookout for the most effective costs over time.

Additionally on the entrance is a 3.5mm mixture audio jack port, changing the separate speaker and mic inputs discovered within the unique UD-6950. That’s a pleasant improve however is par for the course in trendy docking stations.

Show energy by way of DisplayLink

In the back of the dock are what’s going to curiosity M1 and M2 MacBook homeowners: two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports for video connection to exterior shows.

Whereas these ports usually are not essentially the most up-to-date (DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4) they nonetheless assist as much as 4K at a wholesome 60Hz refresh charge, which is the usual a dock ought to aspire to. In order for you 5K or 6K, look elsewhere.

As talked about firstly of this overview, frustratingly Apple has capped its plain M1 and M2 MacBooks at simply the one doable exterior show. Plain M3 MacBooks can assist two however provided that the laptop computer is closed with its display hidden. With a DisplayLink-compatible docking station, the M1/M2/M3 MacBooks can get pleasure from shows even with the laptop computer’s display on present.

You need to use each HDMI or each DisplayPort or a mixture of every, relying in your monitor necessities. Two video ports will at all times be left empty, however the flexibility is welcome.

As with all DisplayLink docks, HDCP (Excessive-bandwidth Digital Content material Safety) just isn’t supported on macOS when this docking station is related. HDCP content material—as discovered on Netflix, Disney, Prime, Apple TV, and many others—is not going to play on the shows or the MacBook’s built-in show whereas the dock is related. You’ll be able to merely disconnect the dock to make use of these streaming companies on the laptop computer display, however they gained’t play on the exterior display when the dock is connected.

Design

I’m undecided why Plugable designates this new dock as a redesigned UD-6950. It’s a utterly completely different construct and design and will as effectively have been given a brand new identify. It doesn’t matter, after all—I’m simply inquisitive about such issues and am usually misplaced in a jumble of complicated equally named however fairly completely different merchandise.

Whereas the previous UD-6950 was a succesful if plasticky vertical dock with DisplayPort however no HDMI and the UD-6950H was an equally non-metal horizontal dock with HDMI (and DisplayPort), the brand new UD-6950PDH is a sleeker, horizontal space-gray aluminum alloy chassis that can look rather more snug subsequent to an Apple MacBook.

We respect that the dock features a energy button for quick and simple powering of the docking station that allows power-saving when the docking station just isn’t in use. In addition to lowering power consumption, it might probably prolong the lifespan of related units. On docks with no energy button, you could pull out the USB-C or Thunderbolt cable from the dock once you depart it unattended for a very long time to save lots of power and protect machine battery well being.

Worth

The Plugable UD-6950PDH is offered within the U.S. for $199.95 and Canada at a value of CA$287.95. It is a affordable value for a dock with a bunch of helpful ports and video port flexibility.

No availability exterior of North America has but been introduced.

For extra DisplayLink docking stations have a look at our chart below the workaround steps on our M1 and M2 MacBook a number of shows characteristic.

Verdict

It is a handsome and versatile DisplayLink docking station with quite a few (if reasonably underpowered) USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet and two card readers. If data-transfer speeds usually are not an enormous issue of their shopping for resolution, M1, M2 and M3 MacBook homeowners will respect the DisplayLink performance that brings the world of twin exterior shows inside their attain in a glossy Mac-friendly case.