Brand | UtechSmart |
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Item model number | UCN3270-2 |
Operating System | macOS 10.14 Mojave, macOS 10.15 Catalina, Chrome OS, Linux, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 |
Item Weight | 5.9 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 5 x 2.44 x 0.67 inches |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5 x 2.44 x 0.67 inches |
Color | Light Dark |
Manufacturer | UtechSmart Technology |
ASIN | B08R1YCT2Z |
Country of Origin | China |
Date First Available | March 1, 2021 |
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Docking Station, UtechSmart 12 in 1 Full Triple Monitor USB C Docking Station, USB C Hub Compatible for macOS&Windows,Thunderbolt 3 Dock(HDMI,VGA,PD3.0,USB-C,Ethernet,SD/TF Card Reader,USB Ports)
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Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | UtechSmart |
Color | Light Dark |
Hardware Interface | HDMI |
Compatible Devices | Majority of USB C 3.1 Gen 2 Type C laptops | Majority of Thunderbolt 3/4 laptops iMac, Mac mini, MacBook (2015/2016/ 2017/2018/2019/2020+), MacBook Pro (2016/2017/2018/2019/2020+), MacBook Air (2018/2019/2020+) Dell XPS 13" 9350/9360/9370/8930 / Dell XPS 15 9550/9560 / Dell Precision 5510/5520 HP Spectre x360 13" ("Kaby Lake" version) / HP Zbook / HP Elitebook 840 G5 Lenovo Yoga 720 13" / Lenovo Yoga 920 13.9" See more |
Total USB Ports | 4 |
Product Dimensions | 5"L x 2.44"W x 0.67"H |
Number of Ports | 12 |
Total HDMI Ports | 1 |
Wattage | 100 watts |
About this item
- [Disruptive Breakthroughs for MacBook]: With the DisplayLink chip, UtechSmart docking station for MacBook not only breaks the single stream limitation of macOS, but also supports macOS to reach a higher level of MST quadruple display. Multi-task like a pro on multiple monitors! The UtechSmart laptop docking station is designed for technology-focused professionals such as content creators, gamers, live streamers, and designers.
- [Upgraded Display Solution for Windows:] The stable and powerful Triple monitor docking station solves the common problem of black screen when using MST display support for Windows system via the latest dual-stream video output chip developed by UtechSmart R&D team.
- [Want to experience a portable docking station beyond the traditional one?]: The compact and lightweight design of the UtechSmart usb c docking station will meet your needs. Including 2x HDMI, 1x VGA, 4x USB-A ports, 1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB-C for charging, 1x USB-C for data transfer, and SD/TF card reader. Versatile and all-in-one, easily used for home, work, travel or business trips.
- [High Speed Transmission]: Equipped with PD 3.0 port up to 100W power pass-through, which greatly shortens the charging time. Additionally, the UtechSmart docking station offers a 1000Gbps Gigabit Ethernet port to download 1Gb+ movies in seconds. Enjoy stunning HD blockbusters with ease through the 4K HDMI port.
- [Broadly compatible]: UtechSmart usb c docking station works with and enables full functionality on Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and USB-C laptops, including Apple M2, M1, Intel-based Mac and Chrome OS devices.
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From the brand
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UtechSmart was established in 2013. Our founders have been thinking about how to integrate technology into the details of work and life to achieve efficient work and a better life. This is the definition of work-life balance.
Our goal is to listen to you, to design and develop cutting-edge products, provide professional services, and bring convenience to your life with leading technology.
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Product guides and documents
Product Description
Real Multitasker, Truly Technological Breakthrough
Multi-screen expansion on Apple system is no longer an annoying dilemma! UtechSmart Docking Station For MacBook Pro/ MacBook Air is designed to break the limitation of mirroring-only support on Apple systemsand integrate seamlessly with Windows. Working like charm actually expands QUADRUPLE DISPLAYS for MacOS and Windows instead of just mirroring!
This is powerful and versatile laptop docking station for technology professionals like Brokers/Traders, Content Creators, Video/Photo editors, Gamers/Streamers, Office professionals, Data Analysts, etc. Unlock your multi-tasking potential with multiple displays.
Small but Powerful UtechSmart Quadruple Display USB C Docking Station
Most laptops are getting thinner and lighter, but with fewer and fewer ports. With the help of UtechSmart USB C docking station, whether you need multiple USB ports, multi-screen functions, or Ethernet and SD/TF card readers, the UtechSmart laptop docking station combines all the features in a sleek, compact, and lightweight design.
Universal compatibility
Works with any laptop with USB Type C gen 2, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 ports. Just connect the docking station to the USB C port of the devices to get all the functions you need. Get multiple displays and more port connections for increased productivity wherever you are.
Excellent Solution for Port Extension
Working remotely? Increase your productivity on the go and at home with UtechSmart 12 in 1 Quadruple Display Docking Station. The desktop could be crowded quickly with multi-task work, all you need is a proper desktop-style setup that includes multiple video output devices, more USB ports, and a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet jack for stable Internet connection or bulk upload/download. The UtechSmart USB C docking station is an all-in-one solution that brings your peripherals to help you get rid of your cluttered desktop.
Technical Specifications:
1* HDMI 4K Video Output Port
1* HDMI 2K Video Output
1* VGA 1080P Video Output Port
1* 100W USB C PD Charging Port
1* 1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet Port
1* 5Gbps USB C Data Transfer Port
1* SD Card Slot & TF Card Slot
2* USB 3.0 Port
2* USB 2.0 Port
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Achieve Quadruple Displays:1x HDMI1 supports 4k@30Hz, 1x HDMI2 supports 2k@60Hz, 1x VGA supports 1080P@60Hz. MST Quadruple Display supported for both MacOS & Windows. NOTE: Once connected the VGA output, all of the monitors connected will be limited to 1920x1080@60Hz. |
100W Fast ChargingUSB-C PD (Power Delivery) charging port supports 100W(20V/5A) power pass through via your laptop power supply or a separate power supply. Reduce charging time by 2-3 times. Attention: Power adapter is not included in the package. |
Up to 5Gbps Data Transfer1x USB C data transfer and 2x USB 3.0 ports provide up to 5Gbps of rapid and reliable data transfers giving you the ability to move files in seconds. Easily manage your flash drive, hard drive and more. 2x USB 2.0 ports help you get a more stable connection when using mouse, keyboard and wireless devices. More ports = more efficiency! |
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1*SD&Micro SD Card ReaderRead 50-104MB/s. Write: 30-80MB/s. Data transfer rates are subject to the speed of the memory card itself and your computer's USB ports. UtechSmart thunderbolt dock supports reading and writing simultaneously. |
1*RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet: Up to 1000MbpsGigabit Ethernet Lan port:No driver is needed. Just PLUG AND PLAY. 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet to ensure your work effective. |
Compact and LightweightCompact and exquisite design. Easy to carry. It can be easily put into your small bag, so will be an essential business tool for long-distance travel and business trips. Aluminum alloy shell makes it strong and wear-resistant and looks exquisite. A very decent gift for friends. |
Different laptop equipped with different USB C ports, please confirm the native USB-C port of your laptop supports DisplayPort Alt Mode:
Thunderbolt 3: Support at max 40Gb/s bandwidth and three monitors expansion, which also supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, data transfer, charge.
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2: Support at max 10Gb/s bandwidth and two or three monitors expansion, which might support DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1: Support at max 5Gb/s bandwidth and one monitor expansion on HDMI2 or VGA port, the HDMI 1 port on our displaylink docking station will NOT work.
For more compatibility information please see the 'User Guide. pdf' document under the 'Product guides and documents'.
Before you purchase this quadruple display docking station, you need to know:
1.Download the driver: Before using docking station, please download the "DisplayLink" driver on your laptop, and make sure that the program is running.
2. Compatible Operating Systems: Please check if your laptop owns a USB Type-c(Gen 2)/Thunderbolt 3/4 port, and support DisplayPort Alternate Mode. If you don’t know how to recognize it, feel free to let us know, we welcome compatibility reports from users as well.
Compatible System: MacOS Big Sur 11.0, Catalina 10.15, Mojave 10.14 or later | Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 or later | Android | Chrome OS
Incompatible Devices: Thunderbolt 2 equipped laptops/Mini DisplayPort equipped laptops/MacBook Pro 2015/Apple USB SuperDrive/Surface Pro 3/4/5/6
3. Power and Charging: Please connect the original power charger to laptop directly to ensure your device work normally(our usb c docking station consumes 8W-15W). Attention: Power adapter is not included in the package.
4. Heating problem: Due to the operation of the display chip and the docking station is fully loaded, its surface temperature may become hot. However, this is normal and will not affect the function since the docking station uses heat dissipation settings.It's best to use it in a cool environment and please be careful of the surrounding heat source.
5. DisplayLink Manager occupies CPU usage: DisplayLink driver uses the CPU to compress the video signal. When the CPU frequency of the laptop is not enough, the driver will occupy more CPU resources of the laptop, which may cause the screen to fail to output signals or the laptop become freezing. Please close unused background processes while the displaylink driver is running.
Troubleshooting
MacOS Troubleshooting
With the arrival of the MacOS Big Sur 11.0& M1 chip, the operating system applies a stricter security policies to (any) software that requires kernel extensions aka kexts (“kexts” - think of it as a MacOS version of “drivers”) .
Issue: Driver installation affected by kexts security policy
Solution: User now has to explicitly enable/allow this system extension within ‘Security & Privacy’ in system preferences (after installation and before the software is allowed to run). MacOS Catalina 10.15 & macOS Big Sur 11.0: With multiple displays enabled you may experience issues with (multiple) screen recording. For more details please contact UtechSmart support.
Windows Troubleshooting
While majority of users will never have any issues from the start, that may not always be the case with all customers. We’ve provided this helpful advice to assist any new users:
Issue: The video ouputs don't appear to work at all, or you receive the message "USB device not recognized" when connecting on Windows.
Solution: Follow the steps below to try and diagnose if it is a hardware problem.
1. Please confirm your laptop’s USB Type C port supports "DisplayPort Alt Mode" and "Power Delivery".
2. Make sure you have downloaded/updated the DisplayLink driver to the latest version.
3. To avoid power insufficient, please connect the orignal power adapter to laptop directly to ensure your device work normally.
4. Note: If you use the USB C female to USB A male adapter to connect the docking station to laptop or if your laptop has a USB C 3.1 Gen 1 port, the HDMI 1 port will not work.
New 14 in 1 Dock | 11 in 1 Triple Display Docking Station | 12 in 1 Triple Display Docking Station | Thunderbolt 4 Docking Staion | 15 in 1 Quadruple Display | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars
1,961
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4.3 out of 5 stars
4,130
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4.0 out of 5 stars
1,961
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4.2 out of 5 stars
102
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4.0 out of 5 stars
1,961
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HDMI Port | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Power In | 92W(use 100W PD charger) | 92W(use 100W PD charger) | 92W(use 100W PD charger) | 120W DC Adapter Included(Host Charging 60W max) | 92W(use 100W PD charger) |
USB 3.0 Port | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Resolution | Single 4K@30Hz(HDMI), Dual 1080p | Single 4K@30Hz(HDMI), Dual 4K@30Hz or 1080p, Triple 1080p | Single 4K@60Hz (HDMI), Dual 1080p or Dual 4K@30Hz, Triple 1080p | Single 8K@30Hz (Thunderbolt 4) or Single 4K@144Hz, Dual 4K@60Hz, Quintuple 4K@60Hz | Single 4K@30Hz(HDMI), Dual 4K@30Hz or 1080p, Triple 1080p |
SD / TF Slot | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Max Transfer Rate | 5Gpbs | 5Gbps | 5Gbps | 40Gbps | 5Gbps |
Number of Display Outputs | 2*HDMI, 1*VGA | 2*HDMI, 1*VGA | 3*HDMI | 2*Thunderbolt 4, 1*HDMI, 1*DisplayPort | 2*HDMI, 1*DP Port |
Video Output Mode | MST&DisplayLink | DisplayPort Alt Mode | DisplayPort Alt Mode | DisplayPort Alt Mode & DisplayLink | MST&DisplayLink |
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Price | $89.99$89.99 | -40% $101.33$101.33 List: $169.99 | -50% $119.98$119.98 List: $239.99 | $55.99$55.99 | $299.00$299.00 | $79.98$79.98 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Value for money | 3.6 | — | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.4 | 4.4 |
Camera quality | 5.0 | 3.8 | 4.0 | — | 3.2 | — |
Easy to use | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | — | — |
Tech Support | — | 3.6 | 4.0 | — | 3.8 | 4.2 |
Quality of material | — | — | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
Sold By | UtechSmart Store | Amazon.com | NEVE NA | ARGMALL - US | Plugable Technologies | UtechSmart |
hardware interface | hdmi | usb | hdmi, usb3.0, ethernet, usb c, 3 5 mm audio, secure digital, transflash | usb3.0, hdmi, usb, usb c, ethernet, usb2.0 | thunderbolt | vga, hdmi, ethernet, usb2.0 a, usb3.0 a, microsd |
number of ports | 12 | 5 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 11 |
number of usb ports | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
HDMI ports | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
compatible devices | Majority of USB C 3.1 Gen 2 Type C laptops | Majority of Thunderbolt 3/4 laptops iMac, Mac mini, MacBook (2015/2016/ 2017/2018/2019/2020+), MacBook Pro (2016/2017/2018/2019/2020+), MacBook Air (2018/2019/2020+) Dell XPS 13" 9350/9360/9370/8930 / Dell XPS 15 9550/9560 / Dell Precision 5510/5520 HP Spectre x360 13" ("Kaby Lake" version) / HP Zbook / HP Elitebook 840 G5 Lenovo Yoga 720 13" / Lenovo Yoga 920 13.9" | Dell Notebooks/ Tablet PC | 16-in MacBook Pro(2021/ 2019),14-in MacBook Pro (2021), 15-in MacBook Pro (2019/ 2018/ 2017/ 2016), 13-in MacBook Pro (Intel Core i7 2020/ 2019/ 2018/ 2017/ 2016), 13-in MacBook Air (Intel Core i7 2020/ 2019/ 2018) (*Note: 13-in MacBook Pro M1 2020, 13-in MacBook Air M1 2020 only officially support one external monitor.) | Monitors, Laptops, Card Readers | Windows 11 Thunderbolt 4 hosts (Dell XPS, Lenovo Thinkpad, HP ProBook), macOS Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 hosts with macOS 11+ M1 / M2 / M3 (M1 Pro/Max, M2 Pro/Max, M3 Pro/Max) | Laptops, Card Readers |
wattage | 100 watts | — | 18 watts | 87 watts | 100 watts | 72 watts |
Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
Customer Reviews |
3.9 out of 5 stars |
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Best Sellers Rank | #6,102 in Computers & Accessories (See Top 100 in Computers & Accessories) #408 in Laptop Docking Stations |
Warranty & Support
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Quadruple Display USB C Docking Station
UtechSmart
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the fit and ease of use of the docking station. They also disagree on performance, quality, ports, connectivity, and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the fit of the dock. They say it's compact in size, but not in what it offers. They also say it has every port you could need and is easy to use. Customers also mention that it fits their needs perfectly well and comes in a well-fitted box to protect it.
"...It is light enough that it isn't inconvenient to carry, which also means it can sometimes be pushed around by the cables connected to it...." Read more
"...Pros:- Size – Like all of their USB-C docks, it’s surprisingly small. Easy to slip into a laptop bag or keep hidden on a desk.-..." Read more
"...Otherwise no real complaints here. The dock is compact and fits my need for daily work with 2 monitors, a keyboard/mouse plus an additional USB /..." Read more
"...On the other hand, it got shipped quickly.It is small enough [I placed a dime for scale on the image] to take with you for travel...." Read more
Customers like the ease of use of the docking station. They mention it's super easy to work with, set up, and convenient. They also appreciate the versatile design and the troubleshooting steps. Customers also mention that the manual is excellent and the USB C Docking Station is a joy to use both on a PC and a Mac.
"...It has step-by-step instructions for Windows and Mac OS (with screenshots), troubleshooting steps, and a list of supported display configurations...." Read more
"...All were recognized and worked quickly. I had no difficulty in connecting and using the HDMI ports and the VGA port split the signal well...." Read more
"...This allows me to hook up another monitor to my laptop so it's easier for me to work without having to flip back and forth between windows." Read more
"...I am currently using this with a Lenovo Yoga X380. The setup was ridiculously easy, it was plug and play for me...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the dock. Some mention that it works great, while others say that it's not greatly executed, it does lower MacBook's performance, and is not adequate for use with M1/M2 MacBooks. It stopped working after a few days, and with more than one HDMI port it tends to get really laggy.
"...It worked fine on every computer I tested it with. No problems saturating a gigabit connection.SD Card Readers:..." Read more
"...morning I turned on my laptop and to my surprise one of the monitors wasn't coming on...." Read more
"...after installing the "DriverLink" drivers, it's working perfectly on my Surface Pro 8! all the USBs and LAN connections work on the SP8...." Read more
"...and this unit performs well. We have used it to successfully power our MacBook Pro for hours on end.-..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the docking station. Some mention it's able to handle most high power devices, while others say that it knocked all of their other systems off line, lasted only 4 months, and crashed safari for a brief moment. Some say that the product is well built and has a nice case. However, some customers report issues with the quality and durability of the product.
"...It seems to have fairly decent scratch resistance.Electronic Design:..." Read more
"...what I said below, that USB-C connections through the dock cannot be used for video signals on MacBooks...." Read more
"...back to UtechSmart for products like these due to their flexibility and quality (and price point), and haven’t had a bad experience yet!" Read more
"great poduct." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ports of the docking station. Some mention that the Ethernet jack and plethora of ports are helpful, and it allows for easy expansion of laptop ports. However, others say that they started having issues with the USB 3.0 ports, HDMI port, and external hard drive.
"...The Ethernet jack and plethora of ports are helpful, so I'll definitely keep this dock in my laptop bag for use when I'm on the road...." Read more
"...Even though it only has three video ports, it is marketed as a quad display hub because the DisplayLink feature allows a laptop screen to be the..." Read more
"...The ports themselves all work, and everything fits tight. It added the capability to have a LAN connection with the LAN Port...." Read more
"...The manual states that it is not supported with any USB adapters, because of course it would slow down the throughput below what is recommended for..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the connectivity of the docking station. Some mention that it supports running two additional monitors through HDMI, and features multiple HDMI inputs and VGA. However, others say that the connections are tenuous at best, and they lose connection of their gadgets.
"...It worked fine on every computer I tested it with. No problems saturating a gigabit connection.SD Card Readers:..." Read more
"...Obviously, for example, the device will not support three external 4K monitors at any refresh rate due to limitations of the ports themselves...." Read more
"...This allows me to use three external monitors in addition to the laptop's screen for a total of four displays, plus an ethernet connection and..." Read more
"...A single external display extends, but not multiple. LAN connection is not working, either. Lame. For the price, I'm happy...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the docking station. Some mention it's an excellent value, affordable dock that covers all the bases, while others say it'll be a waste of money. Some say it is quite on the expensive side and pretty costly.
"...(and price point), and haven’t had a bad experience yet!" Read more
"...I still think it was a bit expensive but it works I would not mind the price if it was truly plug-and-play...." Read more
"...This dock requires a 100W USB-C power supply. The price is low in large part because the power supply / charger is sold separately...." Read more
"...purpose of extending my laptop to two additional monitors and the item is useless to me now. Disappointing...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the temperature of the docking station. They mention that it gets slightly hot, and heats up quickly.
"...due in part to the small footprint, you may find this unit gets pretty warm during use..." Read more
"Update 07/29/2022This product gets so much hot. After 7 months using I do not suggest it.Update in 12/08/2021..." Read more
"...The only con I can find about this dongle, is that it heats rather quickly, to a point that it burns on the touch...." Read more
"...My only complaint is that it gets pretty warm running all these peripherals simultaneously, but I guess that is to be expected...." Read more
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This hub has three video outputs, two of which are actually DisplayLink devices. This neatly sidesteps the bandwidth and output limitations of 'traditional' Type C ports, although at the cost of increased CPU usage. The fourth output is your laptop screen, which remains available regardless of gpu limitations.
One issue I've encountered when using Type C hubs on laptops (especially budget ones) is that the computer isn't able to actually support all of the hub's features. This can lead to frustration, especially with a less technically-inclined user. They see the feature list on the product, plug it into their laptop, and then get frustrated when they are unable to fully realize all of the listed features. They often blame the hub, which isn't at fault. Sometimes the laptop can't support the necessary data rate (e.g. DisplayPort HBR2 vs. HBR3). Sometimes they run into a limitation of their GPU. Older Intel iGPUs are notorious for this. Using DisplayLink (not to be confused with DisplayPort!) tech for additional displays allows one to exceed both the bandwidth and display count limits present in many laptops.
Physical Design Construction:
It has enough ports to function as a stationary single-cable docking station or as a travel 'super-dongle'. It is light enough that it isn't inconvenient to carry, which also means it can sometimes be pushed around by the cables connected to it.
The case is a seamless extruded aluminum shell that has either been anodized or has some kind of light PVD coating. It seems to have fairly decent scratch resistance.
Electronic Design:
USB Type C has many optional features and interconnections with other standards (USB 3.2, Thunderbolt, Power Delivery, DisplayPort, upcoming USB 4) to the point that trying to figure out compatibility and capability can be intimidating. Many parts of the spec are optional. The hardware in all such devices can have its own issues or interactions with the above-mentioned standards.
A Type C connection has four high-speed serial links, or 'lanes' plus a legacy USB 2.0 connection. The lanes can be used for different functions. USB 3.1 Gen 1 requires two lanes. Faster modes (not supported by this hub) use all four. Some video output devices use all four lanes, leaving only USB 2.0 for everything else. There are other pins in the connector for power, etc.
From a design perspective, this hub is actually simpler than many others. This is good because it means that it's compatibility range will be wider. It has standard USB PD power passthrough, and a single DisplayPort over Type C output, which is converted to HDMI internally (HDMI 1). This uses two of the four high speed lanes, and only requires the HBR2 data rate to support its maximum 4k30 output resolution. It doesn't require faster data rates, and it doesn't need to support features like MST (DisplayPort multi-stream transport.)
The rest of the device can be thought of as a USB hub with other things plugged into it. According to the Windows device manager, the other 2 video outputs (HDMI 2, VGA) and the gigabit ethernet adapter are controlled by a DisplayLink DL-3900 chip. This connects to the hub internally over USB 3 (5Gb/s). The dual card readers (yes, they work simultaneously) also connect over USB 3. The remaining 5 USB ports are just the rest of the internal USB hub.
Even though it only has three video ports, it is marketed as a quad display hub because the DisplayLink feature allows a laptop screen to be the fourth display regardless of gpu limitations.
DisplayLink:
The only complexity added by this design is the need to use DisplayLink drivers. The only performance disadvantage of this design is that the DisplayLink adapters require extra cpu performance to function. The cpu performance overhead increases as the complexity of the display output increases.
The device comes with a Webkey to help you find the drivers, but in my testing, Windows will also load a working driver automatically. At the time of writing, different versions of Windows 10 automatically loaded version 9.3.3324. The latest stable driver from displaylink.com is 10.1 M0. That's enough of a difference that I think it is worth installing the newer one.
DisplayLink works by creating a virtual display device in software, rendering a screen display to memory, compressing each frame, and sending it over usb to a DisplayLink chip. The chip unpacks the compressed image and sends it to a physical port (HDMI, VGA, etc.). The protocol only sends the difference between the current and previous frames, making it very efficient. It even works (poorly) over usb 2.0!
The cost is that the computer's cpu is used to calculate and compress the data. For office work, web browsing, and other low-motion tasks, the extra cpu overhead isn't very noticeable. For full-screen video and gaming, it might be an issue on older computers. For newer or faster machines it is a much smaller problem.
Ethernet:
It worked fine on every computer I tested it with. No problems saturating a gigabit connection.
SD Card Readers:
Dual readers on a USB 3 connection. I measured 85MB/s read and 75 MB/s write on a Sandisk Extreme A2 class card.
USB Ports:
The manual labels this as two USB 2 Type A, two USB 3 type A, and one USB 3 Type C. This is apparently in error. After I noticed that the middle port only worked at 2.0 speed, I contacted the manufacturer to ask if my unit was defective. They told me that they were mistakenly manufactured that way. Given the current component shortages as of this writing (May 2021), I can understand why they are selling them as-is. If only one less USB 3 port is a deal-breaker for you, then I suggest that you consider a different product with more ports or wait for a revised version. I didn't find myself missing it, TBH.
Testing:
I wanted to make sure this would work with anything I plug it into, so I tested with a Lenovo Thinkpad E495, a Dell Inspiron 5505, a Razer Blade Stealth, and a GPD Pocket 2. Every feature worked as expected on each laptop. The Razer complained about not getting enough power, but it does that with every power passthrough hub. I measured the power supplied to each laptop with a power meter. They all got as much power as they asked for. I've yet to find a PD device that the Razer doesn't complain about.
I tested the hub with 100W, 65W, and 36W Type C power supplies.
I also tested it on a LG Gram 15z-960, which has a Type C port that is only USB 3 (no video or PD). As expected, everything except HDMI 1 worked once Windows automatically loaded the DisplayLink driver.
Manual:
The manual is genuinely excellent. It does a great job of explaining how the device works and manages customer expectations. It has step-by-step instructions for Windows and Mac OS (with screenshots), troubleshooting steps, and a list of supported display configurations. Each port and its capabilities (resolution, power, data rates, etc.) are listed. (Along with the aforementioned mistake about one of the USB ports.)
I normally just throw manuals away as soon as I get them. I'll be keeping this one with the device.
The video specifications for this item is the big selling point -- being able to export video to three additional monitors besides the laptop’s native LCD. The DisplayLink chipset of this device is a refreshing change as I’ve found their drivers to be excellent over the last fifteen or so years of connecting external video to USB ports on laptops.
I should point out that the hub will deliver a resolution of 4K but only at 30 hertz through one of its HDMI ports. For most business or productivity applications, this is not a problem. The Windows 10 MSI gaming laptop to which I’m connecting the docking station has a video card that can output to a 4K monitor at 60 hertz directly through DisplayPort but since my monitor is only 2K (1440p) it’s not a problem for me to keep a high refresh rate through the HDMI of this docking station. The VGA port will output a full 1080p and the Ethernet port seems to truly be a full gigabit. There’s even a matrix in the manual to help you to understand what supported resolutions are supported based on what you already have connected. Obviously, for example, the device will not support three external 4K monitors at any refresh rate due to limitations of the ports themselves.
This device is extremely versatile and lives up to my expectations. That being said, you need to make sure that it lives up to yours. My caution is to make certain that your use case for this device matches the system’s capabilities, especially with regard to the available power and bus throughput for your USB-C port. PC Magazine has an excellent article by Tom Brant that explains “Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: What’s the Difference?” I can’t include links in this review but there’s also one by Gordon Mah Ung (of Maximum PC and The Full Nerd Podcast fame) that I’d recommend. You should make sure the USB-C port you’re planning to use has enough throughput to handle the required bandwidth demands of the Utechsmart docking station. If it’s rated for Thunderbolt 3, then it can handle the full 40gigabit per second speed. Anything slower and you may be unable to use your video peripherals at their full resolutions as Thunderbolt 2 is half that speed and plain old USB 3.1 is just ¼ of that speed at 10 gigabit per second. The website states that if your laptop’s USB-C port is only USB-C generation 1 (10gbps), the primary HDMI port will not have enough bandwidth to output a full video signal.
The other issue when considering a docking station of this type is power delivery. The importance of this is also discussed in the previously mentioned PC Magazine articles. Some USB-C ports are “PD” rated for the amount of Power they can Deliver. The hub’s USB-C input port is rated as PD 3.0. Depending on the power draw for the pheripherals you connect, you may need to connect an external power supply (not included) to the hub, which is itself draws between 8 and 15 watts, is rated for 100 watts at a maximum, and recommended to run at 87 watts or lower. This is not a failing of the hub, but rather a feature as plenty of other USB hubs don’t have external power connectors at all and this one is clearly marked with a dedicated USB-C port for “power in” as well as an internal chip to regulate that delivery intelligently. When you’re connecting multiple displays, keyboards, mice, external drives, SD cards, and smartphones to a central hub they each draw a certain amount of power and if everything doesn’t fire up when you’ve connected every gadget you own, you might just need to throw in a little more power. I was able to use a spare 35 watt smart phone charger to supplement the power draw when needed. I had this issue because my laptop is an MSI gaming model that draws 100 watts of power from it’s own power supply and simply didn’t have any more juice to share with an external device, much less all that I had connected peripherally. The manual points out that you can connect your laptop’s power supply directly through the hub itself if you’re concerned about having enough power for your external devices. So long as that power draw from the laptop is less than 100 watts, this is true. It would not be so for my power hungry MSI gaming laptop. Of course, Utechsmart also offers external power supplies that would deliver the required 100 watts in addition to my laptop’s power supply if it turns out I need it later, were I to add more or different peripherals.
I have used a very similar hub for the last couple of years that worked to provide external monitor support and added additional ports to an older HP laptop. I was able to adapt that device from USB-C to a USB-A plug and use it in Ubuntu Linux variants as well as Windows 10 because the old laptop didn’t have a faster port such as Thunderbolt or any of the USB-C standards faster than USB 3.0. This device does not allow me to do that with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, likely because of the change to a (otherwise greatly improved) DisplayLink chipset. The manual states that it is not supported with any USB adapters, because of course it would slow down the throughput below what is recommended for the higher end resolutions. However, as a result, I was not able to test this device in Linux as planned simply because the newer MSI laptop for which I purchased this hub for use doesn’t yet dual boot Ubuntu Linux. Likewise, I have an older (2014) iMac with which I was hoping to test the hub but it does not have USB-C either, just a mini display port interface rated for Thunderbolt 1. Granted this is a niche use that in no way diminishes this device’s stated uses (which are myriad) but does leave me without being able to speak to its use on alternative operating systems. I like to always review devices for Linux and Mac support when possible because I want my devices to be as flexible as possible.
Most USB hubs of this type are really more of what used to be termed a port replicator than a docking station. Docking stations used to attach to a laptop through a proprietary high speed port on the bottom where the computer slid into what was essentially a sled that acted as a stand for a monitor and offered at least 50% more ports than the laptop on its own. Often they added functions such as internal slot mounts for desktop cards or additional PCMCIA slots but they were always limited to the speed of that proprietary bus, you could only get one from the manufacturer of your laptop such as HP, IBM, or Toshiba, and they were not cheap. Port replicators simply connected to the fastest (proprietary) port on the back of the laptop and mimicked the ports on the laptop without adding more functions. These technologies were always limited by the bus speed of the connection to the laptop but came with their own external power supplies. We now live in an age where there are universal standards such as USB-C, PCI-Express, and Thunderbolt to improve the interoperability of one device with another but we’re still beholden to bus speed and maximum power delivery to make pieces of technology interact. Moreover, it’s incumbent on us to make sure that we understand the technical specifications of our setup so that we can add devices into it that will interoperate in the way that we expect.
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One of the HDMI did not work, as well as the VGA.
I did not bother to try the rest. Absolute trash for the price I was expecting not having to worry about such things.