Plugable Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Quad Display Docking Station review

Maximum Thunderbolt docking stations have a minimum of one downstream Thunderbolt port in addition to the upstream Thunderbolt port that connects to the host (computer).

Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Quad Show Docking Station (TBT4-UDZ ) has 16 ports however simply the only upstream TB4 port, and it greenbacks the fad however with an excellent reason why: it’s constructed for multiple-screen setups the use of each HDMI and DisplayPort reasonably than Thunderbolt/USB-C track connections.

The opposite 11 ports come with super-fast 2.5Gb Ethernet, instant SD, audio and 7 USB connectors.

It’s to be had to pre-order now, with gross sales beginning on January 17.

Specifications and lines

The TBT4-UDZ has 16 ports, which makes it probably the most loaded docks we’ve examined—even if Caldigit’s Thunderbolt Station 4 (TS4) is going two higher.

• One upstream Thunderbolt 4 port (40Gbps, 98W)
• Two DisplayPort 1.2 video ports
• Two HDMI 2.0 video ports
• 3 USB-A ports (10Gbps, 4.5W)
• Two USB-A ports (5Gbps, 4.5W)
• One USB-A ports (480MBbps, 7.5W)
• One USB-C port (10Gbps, 7.5W)
• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet
• UHS-II SD and microSD card readers (320MBps)
• 3.5mm combo audio jack (entrance)
• 135W energy provide

Apart from the DisplayPort and HDMI connections, the TBT4-UDZ boasts seven USB ports: six USB-A and one USB-C.

Whilst there are many USB-A gadgets nonetheless in the market, we’d have most well-liked a extra even divide between sort C and kind A USB ports, particularly as there aren’t any downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports at the again and USB-C is for sure the long run.

Two of the seven USB ports (one sort A and one sort C) can price gadgets at 7.5W, whilst the others are weaker at 4.5W. With the facility provide at 135W and a tight computer hard a lot of the 98W from the upstream connection, that is smart.

On the other hand, Caldigit’s TS4 boasts a whopping 230W energy provide so can be offering seven USB ports at 7.5W and one at 20W.

However the TBT4-UDZ and the TS4 are aimed toward other customers, with the TS4 supporting simply the 2 4K 60Hz exterior presentations.

If you need extra, then the TBT4-UDZ is constructed on your wishes.

Just like the TS4, Plugable’s TBT4-UDZ boasts 2.5Gb Ethernet, 2.5x quicker than same old Gigabit ethernet. Be aware that to make the most of this velocity, your hooked up software must toughen 2.5GbE or above. This generally is a router/community transfer that has a 2.5GbE port or upper, or you’ll be able to attach a NAS garage software that has a 2.5GbE port or upper.

Plugable

Quad show dock

Mac customers glance away, Home windows customers with Thunderbolt 4 and lots of USB4 laptops can attach as much as 4 4K (3840×2160) 60Hz presentations the use of this dock, blending the show connectors as they see are compatible.

MacBook Professional (M1 Professional and M1 Max) customers and house owners of much less complicated Home windows laptops, then again, are restricted to at maximum two 4K 60Hz presentations.

And simple M1 or M2 MacBooks are restricted to only the only exterior show, even if there are methods that M1/M2 Macs can toughen a number of displays.

The TBT4-UDZ’s DisplayPorts are 1.2 reasonably than 1.4, so can’t attach a unmarried show at 5K, 6K or 8K (in contrast to the TS4 that does). This dock is for a number of high-resolution presentations reasonably than fewer super-resolution monitors.

Developments with DisplayPort video applied sciences, similar to DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 (Prime Bit Price 3) with DSC (Show Move Compression), there may be sufficient bandwidth when the use of the TBT4-UDZ to succeed in the 4 4K 60Hz prolonged presentations by the use of the 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 on Home windows programs.

Maximum Thunderbolt 4/USB4 laptops with Intel UHD or Intel Iris founded graphics chipsets may have this toughen—together with Intel Evo platform-based laptops such because the MSI Status 14 Evo, Dell XPS 9520 and Acer Predator Triton 500 SE.

What’s positive is that your computer must have Thunderbolt 4 or USB4, reasonably than USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 if you wish to attach 4 presentations. USB4 gadget toughen would possibly range relying on gadget producer specs.

Be aware that many TB4 Home windows laptops would require the interior show to be disconnected within the Home windows Show Settings to permit 4 exterior prolonged presentations.

Design

The great-looking TBT4-UDZ docking station can lie horizontal or stand upright. Plugable features a weighty stand for additonal balance when the dock is vertical.

The upstream Thunderbolt 4 port is positioned on the entrance, which isn’t to our liking however appears to be the way in which maximum producers design their docks. We’d want the only cable this is at all times hooked up to be positioned on the again out of the way in which, with the entire messy show cables.

It does make it more straightforward when connecting and disconnecting, and due to this fact very best for hot-desking environments however why will have to the one consumer who connects perhaps simply as soon as within the day or is attached 247 have that cable poking out at all of them day?

This, in fact, is a minor quibble, and does now not detract from the capability in any respect.

Foundry

Thunderbolt 4 compatibility

Suprisingly that is Plugable’s first Thunderbolt 4 docking station. The corporate has a complete roster of high quality USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 docks and considered one of our favourite Thunderbolt 4 hubs however till now now complete TB4 docking station.

Even now, alternatively, some may argue that it hasn’t integrated sufficient TB4 ports—certainly it has none with the exception of for the relationship to the host laptop.

That is on account of the 4 show connections that require all that bandwidth for themselves.

The Caldigit TS4 has two downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, and few have 3—the Kensington SD5700T and Alogic Thunderbolt 4 Blaze being exceptions.

If you need a number of TB4 ports, then some of the many Thunderbolt 4 hubs provide this adaptability of selection. Learn our roundup of the most efficient Thunderbolt 4 docks and hubs for comparisons.

Worth

The TBT4-UDZ is priced at $299; nowadays its to be had in the United States best.

This makes it some of the extra reasonably priced Thunderbolt 4 docks—a complete $100 inexpensive than the Caldigit TS4 this is restricted to only two exterior presentations however provides a an identical set of ports to this spectacular Plugable docking station.

Verdict

The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Quad Show Docking Station is an impressive dock constructed for customers who want most display screen house—creatives, investors or analysts perhaps.

The integrated 4 show connections imply there’s little need for adapters and the combination of DisplayPort and HDMI fits offers the consumer selection.

Along the unrivalled show prowess are a beneficiant unfold of alternative ports, together with 2.5Gb Ethernet, that make the TBT4-UDZ is powerful choice for the display screen hungry.