When a product goes out of inventory, it reveals there may be large client demand for it. Whatever the variety of docking stations in the marketplace as we speak with related performance, Plugable struck gold with its USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station (UD-ULTC4K) again in 2017. It’s laborious to select up that mannequin lately, so Plugable determined to deliver it again. Not with the very same specs, nevertheless, as the corporate determined to offer it a becoming “rebirth” of types.
Now with a bunch of upgrades to show any USB-C supported laptop computer right into a powerhouse, the brand new Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station is best than ever earlier than with additional HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, a 100W Energy Supply (PD) increase, a necessary SD Card Reader, and an additional USB-C port with 20W PD and as much as 10Gbps switch charges. Oh, and 4 USB-A 3.0 ports for good measure.
Plugable listened to buyer calls for and enormously expanded the capabilities of its hottest docking station, and the result’s essentially the most well-rounded docking station I’ve reviewed. Take a look at why this docking station is worthy to sit down in your desk.
Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station value
Formally priced at $394.99 on Plugable’s web site, the USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station would be a really dear funding. Nevertheless, you’ll discover it’s obtainable for $279 ($264 with a coupon) on Amazon (opens in new tab). You’ll be able to anticipate it to remain at that value, as the corporate has a behavior of retaining reductions obtainable all through its availability.
At that price, you could possibly get a pair of AirPods Professional at their full $249 retail value. By that comparability, the docking station can appear on the costly aspect, however its host of connectivity choices make its $279 price ticket value it. You’ll discover different docking stations, such because the $299 Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station and $289 Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Dock, to be round an analogous value vary. However Plugable beats its competitors by being barely inexpensive and providing an enormous vary of ports.
The $129 Plugable Twin Monitor Docking Station (2022) could also be round half the associated fee, however it isn’t practically as fashionable or adaptable as the corporate’s newest providing.
Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station design
Plugable has gone via quite a few totally different designs with its docking stations, however it’s earned its fame with the favored “USB-C Triple Show” fashions. With its revamped UD-ULTC4K, Plugable has saved the precise fashion of its black monolith slab as a result of it’s a design that works, even whether it is barely chunkier than previous fashions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it, proper? Positive, it might be good to see the dock have the choice to lose the vertical-only stand to permit for extra placement choices on a desk, however that doesn’t imply its port placement and modern, black plastic body hasn’t been properly thought out. Its sturdy, but sizable rubberized base vegetation it firmly on a desk — prepared to attach your laptop computer to loads of displays and peripherals. It matches in properly with any fashion desk setup, because of the curved entrance and gill-like vents providing a slick look. To let the whole lot is linked, it additionally has an influence and a USB LED alongside the entrance.
In comparison with the 7.5-inch tall UD-3900 Twin Monitor Docking Station, the UD-ULTC4K stands at 8 inches with a barely wider base. With a vertical design, it saves you desk actual property and provides a cleaner setup that isn’t crammed with jumbled cables. That mentioned, some customers could favor to put their docking stations flat to cover behind displays or laptops. There’s nothing stopping me from laying the dock horizontally, however it appears to be like awkward as that’s not what it’s designed for.
Clearly, an excellent docking station wants sensible port placement, and this USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station has it right down to a tee. All of the extra lively ports are on the entrance, together with the headphone and mic jack, SD card reader, and USB-C with 20W Energy Supply to cost and switch recordsdata in your smartphone, pill, or something that has a USB-C slot, actually. The rear is left for cable administration, leaving extra everlasting connections corresponding to HDMI or DisplayPort outputs to attach exterior shows, USB-A slots for reminiscence sticks or a wi-fi mouse or keyboard dongle, and wired web by way of the Gigabit Ethernet port.
The design of Plugables USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station isn’t something new, however it doesn’t have to be for those who’re in search of an optimized work setup.
Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station ports
The USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station makes an enormous leap in port choice in comparison with 2017’s mannequin, because it provides much more video outputs with 4K capabilities, an SD card reader, and a useful USB-C slot to attach and cost different units. What extra might you need?
On the entrance, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack and three.5mm microphone jack, an SD card reader and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port with 20W Energy Supply and 10Gbps switch speeds. That is excellent for professionals who need to shortly switch recordsdata and knowledge from their smartphone or pill to their laptop computer, whereas content material creators can simply switch pictures or movies with the easy-access SD card reader.
Alongside the again, there are 4 USB-A 3.0 slots with 5Gbps switch speeds, three HDMI 2.0 and three DisplayPort++ 1.4 that help 4K (3840 x 2160) at 60Hz, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a USB-C host port providing 100W Energy Supply (96W licensed).
Not all of us have three 4K displays to completely make the most of the docking station’s potential, however having the variability to decide on between an HDMI or DisplayPort connection is massively welcome. The leap from 60W Energy Deilvery to 100W gained’t make an enormous distinction, seeing as many will need to maintain their laptop computer plugged in at full cost anyway, however those that are consistently on the transfer will recognize the sooner charging instances.
Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station efficiency
Whereas Thunderbolt 4 ports are making their manner into fashionable programs, with the Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station and Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Dock main the cost to help these programs, it’s laborious to beat the pliability of quite a lot of outputs for a number of eventualities. That’s the place the Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station shines, because it delivers a 13 port choice that may match nearly any setup.
To see how every port works, I plugged in an Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 and hooked it as much as twin Asus VG278 displays by way of HDMI, together with different connections together with a Corsair K65 RGB Mini gaming keyboard, HyperX wi-fi headphones by way of a USB-A stick and a Razer Naga Professional mouse. Oh, and my iPad Air (2020) for good measure. Low and behold, the whole lot labored in a cinch, with my laptop computer and iPad charging whereas I used to be making full use out of the exterior displays. I used to be even in a position to join my Meta Quest 2 to cost and switch video recordsdata.
With its 4K decision help, I attempted utilizing it on a 50-inch Sharp 4K TV. Whereas a show this measurement isn’t superb for my normal working day, it’s good to know that the Plugable docking station can push out 4K decision with a steady 60Hz refresh fee. Lots of the finest displays in the marketplace could use both DisplayPort or HDMI connections, so with the ability to select between the 2 varieties of video output is a significant win. Plus, in contrast to the earlier mannequin, you get the identical quantity of ports for every sort of output.
Plugable’s dock is suitable with USB-C programs however can be suitable with USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4. It really works on Home windows 10 and later, together with macOS 11 and later. M1 MacBooks will natively help one show, and related outcomes are anticipated with M2 MacBooks. Throughout my chat with Plugable’s founder and CTO Bernie Thompson, he acknowledged that because of the dock’s DisplayLink help, it’s simple to obtain the software program and add further shows past what a person’s system natively helps. Nevertheless, that shouldn’t be a difficulty with the finest laptops in the marketplace as we speak.
Plugable doesn’t state the USB-A ports can cost units. Nevertheless, I plugged in my iPhone SE (2020) and it might cost (if solely at a sluggish tempo).
The inclusion of an SD card reader and a USB-C port on the entrance is massively useful, as I usually take pictures of merchandise I’m reviewing and have to switch them to my laptop computer. Merely connecting my machine or slotting in an SD card made transferring recordsdata simple, and content material creators will certainly discover these ports useful. Plus, including an audio jack on the entrance to shortly take heed to YouTube movies or video calls with wired earphones is welcome.
Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Show Docking Station: Backside line
Plugable’s final USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station was successful, a lot in order that inventory has fully run out. With it’s newest UD-ULTC4K docking station, I can think about it being a sizzling commodity because of its honest value and nifty upgrades.
From the number of the 13 ports it provides to its 4K show help throughout a number of video outputs, Plugable’s newest docking station is the perfect round. It’s 4 USB-A ports allow you to increase the quantity of peripherals you need to use together with your laptop computer, whereas the SD card reader and useful USB-C port with 20W energy supply permits for seamless charging and file transfers.
In case you’re trying to benefit from your laptop computer, or need to flip your work setup right into a full-blown workstation, the Plugable USB-C Triple 4K Docking Station will do the trick. In case you’re trying to go all-in on Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, try our listing of the finest docking stations in the marketplace as we speak.
