Just a few months in the past I used to be launched to DockCase by way of its Good SSD enclosure, an adjunct that enables customers to observe their related storage with a built-in LCD show. I used to be impressed by the craftsmanship, additional options, and the benefit of use. DockCase has now launched the 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub, one other accent that appears lots just like the Good SSD enclosure however performs a very totally different job. This little hub has the identical LCD display and common construct, nevertheless it contains seven ports for detachable storage, show, and extra. I have been utilizing it for the final couple of weeks to see what it is all about and, in the end, whether or not or not it is value your cash.
DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub: Value and availability
DockCase provided Home windows Central with a overview unit of its 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub with removable host cable. It was initially accessible via a Kickstarter marketing campaign, nevertheless it has now moved past and is accessible extra broadly.
The official DockCase web site has the mannequin with removable cable on the market for about $100, plus there’s presently a 20% off coupon for those who use code SAVE2021 at checkout. A mannequin with mounted host cable is presently listed at about $80, with the identical 20% off coupon accessible.
The mannequin with removable cable can also be listed at Amazon for about $65; there’s presently a $5 low cost coupon accessible. I like to recommend sticking with the removable mannequin, as this lets you swap host cables ought to it grow to be broken throughout use.
DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub: What I like
The DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub borrows the identical chassis as its Good SSD enclosure. It is made primarily of a zinc alloy, which is easy and strong in all areas. In my DockCase Good SSD enclosure overview, I famous that “the enclosure is compact and light-weight, and because of the detachable host cable you possibly can simply slip it right into a pocket.”
DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub
Connection: USB-C 3.1 (Gen 2)
Removable cable
Ports: Three USB-A 3.0 (5Gbps)
HDMI 2.0
SD card reader (UHS-I)
microSD card reader (UHS-I)
USB-C PD 3.0 (100W)
Energy: As much as 100W
Max show res: 4K @ 60Hz
Materials: Zinc alloy, tempered glass
Dimensions: 4.8 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches
(122mm x 40mm x 14mm)
Weight: 0.28 kilos (128g)
Guarantee: 1 yr
The identical applies right here. However as a substitute of a detachable ribbed backside and strong sides, there is a flat backside to higher relaxation on a desk and cutouts for venting and ports. I like that the host cable is removable, because it prevents you having to purchase a completely new dock if the mounted cable is broken.
When you can go connectivity-wild with one thing just like the CalDigit TS4 (sporting 18 whole ports), the seven ports that DockCase has included listed below are extra becoming for the common workflow. The entrance edge has a single USB-A 3.0 port with 5Gbps switch speeds, in addition to UHS-I SD and microSD card readers. The again edge, which usually faces away from the person, provides two extra USB-A 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0, and a USB-C port for passthrough charging (no knowledge) out of your laptop computer’s AC adapter. The rear alignment makes it simpler to handle cables in your desk. Much less spaghetti is at all times an excellent factor.
The highest of the hub is roofed by a single piece of tempered glass with black end under. The uniform look is interrupted within the center by a 1.3-inch LCD show with 261 pixels-per-inch density. This little show, regardless of its dimension and the quantity of data proven, is pretty straightforward to learn even at a look.
The DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub makes it straightforward to maintain shut watch on your whole related equipment.
Info displayed contains the interior working temperature of the hub, the show customary getting used, the quantity of energy passing via the hub to the host laptop computer, the scale, decision, and refresh fee of your related show, and SD and microSD storage standing (principally whether or not or not a card is inserted). There are additionally three USB-A standing symbols that present velocity and USB model utilized by your equipment.
Moreover, if you first plug in an exterior show the display briefly swaps over to a deeper rundown of its stats; the identical applies for AC enter, with a readout of voltage and amperage. As an added bonus, the passthrough charging has 24V CC safety to guard the hub from getting fried as a consequence of a defective adapter. I did not check this, so outcomes might fluctuate.
Port efficiency is all the place it ought to be when it comes to switch speeds, with the USB-A ports hitting a ceiling round 600MB/s and the SD card readers hitting round 90 to 100MB/s. Whereas there’s simply the one HDMI port, its assist for as much as a 4K decision at 60Hz ought to deal with most single-monitor setups.
DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub: What I do not like
This hub labored flawlessly from the beginning, as you need to count on from such a system. Plug it into the host laptop computer, plug in your different equipment, and get on along with your day. In that sense it is a win, however there are some drawbacks.
Essentially the most evident situation is a scarcity of downstream USB-C. Sure, the hub has a USB-C port, nevertheless it’s reserved strictly for energy supply to the host laptop computer. Should you rely totally on USB-C equipment, a state of affairs many individuals have now eased into, you will have some additional adapters to suit the USB-A ports. Having even one correct downstream USB-C port would go a good distance.
DockCase’s Good SSD enclosure features a button on the facet for swapping show readouts; this function is missing within the hub. It isn’t a dealbreaker, however having the ability to see extra particulars about your related equipment anytime you need — as a substitute of solely if you first plug in — could be appreciated.
Having a tiny show in your hub definitely is not mandatory, however I do get pleasure from having the ability to see the standing of all related equipment. Whether or not or not you need to spend the additional cash simply to have the show is as much as you. There are many different 7-in-1 USB-C hubs on the market that price half as a lot and do just about the identical factor, although with out the fixed standing updates.
DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub: Competitors
Taking a fast have a look at simply Amazon’s search web page reveals a plethora of like-minded USB hubs, providing passthrough charging and beneficiant port choice. It is evident that DockCase is not alone within the hub market, however its built-in show does set it aside. As talked about, whether or not you need to pay extra cash for that show is as much as you. Should you do not need to pay upwards of $70, there’s loads of competitors.
Anker’s 341 7-in-1 USB-C hub (opens in new tab) prices about $30 and contains two USB-A 3.0, USB-C knowledge and USB-C AC passthrough, HDMI (4K at 30Hz solely), and microSD and SD card readers. Plugable has an identical choice that additionally prices about $30 (opens in new tab). It has three USB-A 3.0, USB-C AC passthrough, HDMI (4K at 30Hz), and microSD and SD card readers. Neither of those hubs appears fairly as glossy because the DockCase, however in any case that is only a hub.
Should you’d moderately go all-out with connectivity, there are many nice docking stations accessible. Our present high decide for these with Thunderbolt 4 laptops is the CalDigit TS4, with 18 whole ports (together with one host connection), as much as 98W of charging energy to the host, twin 4K at 60Hz monitor assist, and a premium construct. It is costly and it is made to remain on a desk, however it can change a busy workflow for the higher.
And for those who’re sticking with USB-C, CalDigit’s USB-C Professional Dock continues to be a terrific alternative, although it’s now getting more durable to search out. It has 9 whole ports, with assist for twin shows.
Do you have to purchase the DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub?
Who it is for …
- These with a single-monitor setup
- Those that want a compact USB hub
- Those that like maintaining tabs on their related equipment by way of the built-in show
Who it is not for …
- Those that want downstream USB-C
- Those that need to take full benefit of Thunderbolt
- Those that can stay with a 7-in-1 hub with no show
The DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub takes moveable docking to the following degree with its built-in show. I like having the ability to see the standing of my related equipment, and textual content is obvious and legible regardless of the display’s 1.3-inch dimension. From a efficiency standpoint, the hub delivers as marketed, with six downstream ports, passthrough AC charging, and a removable host USB-C cable. The hub is constructed to a excessive customary, and it is sufficiently small that you would be able to slip it right into a pocket with ease. The 4K at 60Hz exterior show assist can also be fairly good, as many related docks cap out at 30Hz.
And whereas it is all dandy from a design and efficiency standpoint, I think about lots of people will forego this hub as a result of elevated price. There are a lot of hubs that do nearly the identical factor that do not have the standing show, costing half or lower than half of that asking value for the Visible Good Hub. And that is with out mentioning the supply of downstream USB-C, one thing that is missing with DockCase’s hub.
However, for those who do go for this hub, know that you just’re getting one thing that has labored flawlessly whereas dealing with a number of equipment, detachable storage, exterior show, and passthrough charging.
DockCase 7-in-1 USB-C Visible Good Hub
You may pay extra for this hub than for related competing manufacturers, however the built-in show, 4K @ 60Hz show assist, and removable host cable would possibly sway you in its route.
