Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
This is a thoroughly - looking and whippy DisplayLink docking station with numerous ( if rather underpowered ) USB ports , Ethernet and bill readers . M1 , M2 and M3 MacBook owners will appreciate the DisplayLink functionality that get the world of dual external exhibit within their reach in a flowing Mac - friendly case .
Best Prices Today: Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH)
Plugablehas radically redesigned its popular UD-6950PDH docking place , which now comes to the attention of owners of the M1 and M2 ( and to a lesser grade M3 ) Macs . With this tying up place , Macs with the plain ( non - Pro or Max ) M1 and M2 mainframe can connect two extra showing , whereas in nonpayment mode these Macs are limited to just one external showing .
As we explicate in our feature film onhow to connect two or more displays to an M1 and M2 Mac , this bonus functionality ask the user to install a DisplayLink software driver to get around Apple ’s thwarting restriction .
While unmistakable M3 ( and before long M4 ) MacBooks can connect to two external exhibit , the laptop ’s own screen must be off with the laptop computer ’s lid close . A DisplayLink wharfage allows that M3 MacBook to remain undefendable with the two additional displays attached .
Specs and features
The Plugable USB - snow Dual 4 K Display Docking Station ( UD-6950PDH ) features an telling 13 ports alongside its DisplayLink M1 / M2 - display savior occasion .
Foundry
There ’s a lot of port here but you wo n’t get data transferee any quicker than 5Gbps as that ’s the top upper of all the USB ports , including the upstream USB - century to the laptop .
Most Macs boast 40Gbps Thunderbolt these twenty-four hour period , so if you require top data - transferral speeds you should look at another of ourbest Thunderbolt docks for Mac . 10Gbps is the USB - C average these day , but if you want 40Gbps in a dock that also tender DisplayLink functionality , check out theSatechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink .
The Plugable dock ship with a 1 grand ( 3.3 ft ) USB - C cable that theoretically can handle 10Gbps but the most you ’ll get from the bobtail is 5Gbps . The 5Gbps upstream port that you use to link up to the laptop is conveniently located on one of the ends of the dock , rather than at the front as some dock manufacturer take a firm stand on doing .
There ’s only one downstream USB - C port wine ( to a gadget other than the host laptop computer ) but four old - schooltime USB - A embrasure . We ’d opt more USB - light speed interface than USB - A , which is getting a turn long in the tooth now . Plugable is n’t alone in still supply plenty of USB - A ports , and I expect it hump more about its audience than I do but I look forward to the day when USB - A is no longer a consideration .
That funny USB - C port and one of the USB - A interface volunteer 7.5W of machine charging power — which , while in effect than the other porthole ’ weedy 4.5W power turnout , is still not a great deal of use if you want to charge even a telephone set from the dock . 7.5W is fine for low - power repositing machine ( and equivalent to a MagSafe - compatible wireless charger ) , but the dock loses points for not having at least one downstream 20W or eminent USB outturn .
An external SSD thrust might only need around 3W of office , so the USBs here are going to be able to handle that lading but you may postulate the 7.5W on some entrepot devices that you link up , especially if they are pen data . outside HDDs are more magnate - hungry so even 7.5W might be a small luminousness .
However , the passthrough PD 3.0 power from the dock to the laptop is impressive at 100W. The maximum index yield is specify by the 134W power provision , but the lightly powered USB ports mean that it wo n’t be troubled even fully load .
Plugable
On top of the USB larboard is Gigabit Ethernet for fast and static wired connection access code , and two storage card reader .
While it ’s flexible in offering both SD and MicroSD plug-in readers , it ’s unpaired that the Coyote State lector is fast UHS - II ( 312MBps ) while the MicroSD is pegged back at 104MBps . While we ’ve seen docks with both either UHS - I or UHS - II , we ’ve never assure this amphetamine disparity between readers on one dock before . MicroSD cards are often cheap than Mount Rushmore State cards so having this format at the slow speed is something a disappointment . That said , unless you require tops - fast information transferee from the menu , it should n’t trouble you too much .
velocity aside , having these batting order readers opens up a world of radical - affordable portable storage with SD card offering up to 2 TB in a tiny package . At the time of writing , Amazon is sell aSanDisk 1.5 TB MicroSD card for $ 110 . A 512 GB version costsunder $ 50 . take note that retention card Mary Leontyne Price are quite explosive so keep looking for the ripe prices over sentence .
Also at the front is a 3.5 mm combination sound recording jackstones port , replacing the separate talker and mic inputs find in the original UD-6950 . That ’s a squeamish rise but is par for the course in advanced docking station .
Display power via DisplayLink
At the back of the dock are what will interest M1 and M2 MacBook owners : two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports for video connexion to outside presentation .
While these ports are not the most up - to - particular date ( DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4 ) they still abide up to 4 cat valium at a healthy 60Hz refresh charge per unit , which is the standard a dock should aim to . If you want 5 K or 6 K , look elsewhere .
As mentioned at the start of this review , frustratingly Apple has crest its plain M1 and M2 MacBooks at just the one possible external show . bare M3 MacBooks can support two but only if the laptop computer is closed with its blind hidden . With a DisplayLink - compatible docking station , the M1 / M2 / M3 MacBooks can love displays even with the laptop computer ’s screen on show .
you’re able to utilize both HDMI or both DisplayPort or a mixing of each , depending on your proctor requirement . Two video ports will always be allow for empty , but the flexibleness is welcome .
As with all DisplayLink docks , HDCP ( High - bandwidth Digital Content Protection ) is not digest on macOS when this docking post is tie . HDCP substance — as found on Netflix , Disney , Prime , Apple TV , etc — will not play on the display or the MacBook ’s built - in display while the sorrel is connected . you could simply disconnect the dock to utilize these streaming serving on the laptop computer screen door , but they wo n’t toy on the external screen when the dock is attached .
Design
I ’m not sure why Plugable designate this Modern dock as a redesigned UD-6950 . It is a totally dissimilar build and conception and may as well have been apply a new name . It does n’t matter , of course — I am just curious about such affair and am often lost in a jumble of fox likewise named but quite unlike product .
While the old UD-6950 was a up to if plasticky vertical dock with DisplayPort but no HDMI and the UD-6950H was an every bit non - metallic horizontal bob with HDMI ( and DisplayPort ) , the new UD-6950PDH is a sleeker , horizontal space - gray aluminum alloy chassis that will take care much more comfortable next to an Apple MacBook .
We appreciate that the bobtail includes a baron clitoris for fast and easy powering of the dockage place that enables force - deliverance when the tying up station is not in purpose . As well as reducing energy intake , it can extend the lifespan of affiliated gimmick . On dock without a power button , you must pull out the USB - vitamin C or Thunderbolt cable from the dock when you get out it neglected for a long time to write energy and continue gimmick assault and battery health .
Price
The Plugable UD-6950PDH is available in the U.S. for$199.95and Canada at a Mary Leontyne Price ofCA$287.95 . This is a reasonable cost for a dock with a bunch of utile porthole and video port wine flexibility .
No availability outside of North America has yet been announce .
For more DisplayLink moorage stations look at our chart under the workaround step on ourM1 and M2 MacBook multiple displaysfeature .
Verdict
This is a soundly - looking and whippy DisplayLink docking station with numerous ( if rather underpowered ) USB port , Gigabit Ethernet and two menu readers . If data point - carry-over swiftness are not a full-grown broker in their purchasing decisiveness , M1 , M2 and M3 MacBook owners will apprize the DisplayLink functionality that land the worldly concern of twofold outside exhibit within their reach in a sleek Mac - favorable typesetter’s case .
