Plugable leads our list of the easiest Thunderbolt docks for your laptop computer precisely for the explanation that firm focuses on the ideal say: the showcase connectivity, with two 4K displays. But at CES, the firm has upped its recreation: now there’s three!
The $219 Plugable UD-6950PDZ involves enhance for three 4K displays, no longer just two. And in the spirit of Plugable docks, the firm doesn’t produce you produce a range from DisplayPort and HDMI connections: the UD-6950PDZ involves three of both.
The dock works with a traditional USB-C connector for your laptop computer, however you’ll need an accessible Thunderbolt port (with Thunderbolt 4 most traditional) to permit the fat advantages. Sadly, the dock’s specs mask just a few gotchas, and answer the query of whether or no longer a Thunderbolt dock can accommodate three 4K displays. The answer? Yes, model of.
Specifically, the UD-6950PDZ involves a pair of DisplayPort 1.2/HDMI 2.0 ports on the rear, which is able to output 3840×2160 video at 60Hz—the 4K60 output that’s anticipated of Thunderbolt docks. However the third port is HDMI 1.4/DisplayPort 2.0, and is specific to 3840×2160 resolution at 30Hz, as a replacement. To be ravishing, 30Hz is appropriate for a secondary showcase old skool for static exclaim like email or messaging apps, however staring at a 30Hz showcase for a prolonged length can stress your eyes.
But there’s but every other gotcha, too. Neither of the 60Hz DisplayPort/HDMI ports supports HDCP, which lets in stable exclaim (a Blu-ray disc, or Netflix, or Amazon Top) to in actuality showcase on the show camouflage. HDCP is listed as “host dependent” on the 30Hz port, as a replacement. Merely place apart, you’re shopping and selling off a third showcase for limits on its frame charge and an total restriction on HDCP playback. (To be ravishing, you’ll nearly actually be in a position to play lend a hand stable exclaim on the laptop computer itself.)
In another case, though, there’s plenty to love with the UDZ-6950PDZ. The Thunderbolt connection lend a hand to the host can enhance 60W of energy, covering a huge range of mainstream and skinny-and-mild gadgets. The dock also supports six USB-A ports (all at 5Gbps, with two to the entrance and 4 on the rear). If there’s another weak point, it’s that there’s no USB-C output of any sort, so that you obtained’t be in a position so as to add a USB-C dongle whereas you all correct away need an SD card slot, as an illustration.
Plugable will ship the dock later this quarter, Plugable stated.
Present: Within the event you settle something after clicking hyperlinks in our articles, we may perhaps maybe well presumably furthermore just produce a dinky commission. Read our affiliate link policy for extra important aspects.
- Computer systems and Peripherals
- Docking Stations
As PCWorld’s senior editor, Tag focuses on Microsoft news and chip abilities, amongst other beats. He has formerly written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.
