InDepth Analysis of Plugable Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Multiport Dock: Why Is HDMI 2.1 Missing?

Key Takeaways

• Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 docking station offers ample I/O, including three Thunderbolt 4 ports and 96W of certified charging.
• The lack of HDMI 2.1 support is a major drawback, limiting display output to 4K60 or 8K30.
• The sleek design, aluminum construction, and included 1-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable and HDMI adapter make it a convenient and aesthetically pleasing choice for Apple users.

Plugable’s latest Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Docking Station , an 11-in-1 solution, could be a solid choice for the macOS-powered desk. While it’s compatible with Windows, this docking station focuses on the Apple crowd with multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports and up to 96W of certified charging power. Delivering HDMI 2.0 support for standard monitors up to 4K60 or 8K30, you’ll find the three Thunderbolt 4 and ample additional I/O ports that are perfect for hooking up your dual displays, 2.5G ethernet, your keyboard and mouse, as well as an NVMe-based SSD all through a single cable. It’s all great, but it comes at a price.

Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Docking Station (TBT4-UDX1)

7/ 10

$270 $290 Save $20

Plugable’s latest Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 docking station delivers ample I/O for the high-end setup, though HDMI 2.1 is notably lacking. However, you’ll find three Thunderbolt 4 ports with full 40Gbps capability for hooking up SSDs and more, as well as delivering 2.5G ethernet and up to 96W of certified charging to your computer all through one cable.

USB Power Delivery

96W

Power supply included

Yes

Max display res.

4096x2160

Price

$290

Pros

• 96W charging is enough for 14-inch MacBook Pro
• Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
• Front-facing UHS-II SD reader
• Ample USB-A 10Gbps ports
• Included 1-meter cable

Cons

• No HDMI 2.1 support
• Only one native display output (and two maximum with an adapter)
• Front-facing host port

$270 at Amazon $290 at Plugable

No HDMI 2.1 Is a Major Letdown

Sergio Rodriguez / How-To Geek

Let’s get the bad out of the way first. Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 dock is pretty well-suited for the high-end desk setup except for its lack of HDMI 2.1 support. While Plugable has a USB4 dock that packs dual HDMI 2.1 ports, each capable of 4K120 output, and other companies are putting dual HDMI 2.1 ports on their docks , Plugable’s latest Thunderbolt 4 hub only supports up to 4K60 or 8K30. This is a bit of a letdown when you consider how many 4K120 monitors are on the market today. Being locked to 4K60 could be considered a pretty big drawback for many. However, if you have a 1440p144 display at your desk, or simply stick to 60Hz at higher resolutions, then you’ll find this drawback very minimal indeed.

Hook Up Everything but the Kitchen Sink to Your Computer Through a Single Cable

Sergio Rodriguez / How-To Geek

Outside of the HDMI being 2.0, you’ll find the rest of the I/O on Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 dock to be pretty robust. For starters, there’s a total of four USB-A 10Gbps ports here, which is pretty good compared to other Thunderbolt 4 docks out there. This gives you plenty of ports to hook up a mouse, keyboard, printer, and headset all straight to the dock without anything else needed.

In addition to the USB-A plug on the front, you’ll find that there’s a UHS-II SD card slot paired with a combo audio jack. These are joined by the host Thunderbolt 4 port which delivers up to 96W of certified charging power, which is enough for even the M3 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro . However, in practical use of this dock, I still wish Thunderbolt 4 dock manufacturers would find a way to put the host port on the back, like Thunderbolt 3 docks of yesteryear. It would be much more practical to have the main plug on the back for a cleaner setup.

Around the back (where the host port should be), you’ll find two more Thunderbolt 4 ports capable of 40Gbps bandwidth and up to 15W charging, the remaining three USB-A 10Gbps plugs, 2.5G ethernet, and the HDMI 2.0 output. All-in-all, this dock does allow you to have an entire desk plugged in, including two displays, thanks to the bundled USB-C to HDMI adapter. If you’re looking for a way to simplify your desk setup down to a single cable, this could be a fantastic solution.

A Sleek Design Pairs Well With Apple’s Space Gray Computers

Sergio Rodriguez / How-To Geek

The overall design of Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 dock is sophisticated, yet understated. The overall color scheme paired perfectly with my M1 Max MacBook Pro in Space Gray, and I loved the aesthetic overall. The black front and back blend seamlessly with my desk, and the finned cooling design on the side is a nice touch. Those with an Apple computer will likely love the aesthetic, and if you have a Windows-based setup, it’ll still look great sitting on your desk, though the color might not match quite as perfectly as it does with Apple’s computers.

This dock also boasts a quality feel thanks to the majority of the parts being made out of aluminum. There’s a nice heft to it, and you won’t find the dock sliding around when plugging in your laptop unless you really pull on it.

The Included 1M Thunderbolt 4 Cable and HDMI to USB-C Adapter Is a Nice Touch

Sergio Rodriguez / How-To Geek

In times past, when buying Thunderbolt docks, I always had to buy a separate cable because the included one was typically just 0.3 meters long. Well, Plugable went the extra mile here—rightfully so, for the price—and includes a 1-meter cable to hook your laptop up with.

This is actually a really nice touch and makes powering your setup with this docking station that much easier right out of the box. In addition to a nice Thunderbolt 4 cable, Plugable also includes one of its own USB-C to HDMI adapters in the package. This lets you leverage dual displays right out of the box, without having to buy anything else. While it would have been nice to see a second HDMI port on the dock itself, this is a better resolution than making you buy the adapter separately.

Should You Buy the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock?

Sergio Rodriguez / How-To Geek

Coming in with a list price of $290, the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 Docking Station is anything but cheap. While there are some more expensive Thunderbolt 4 docks on the market, Plugable is definitely hitting high in the pricing market. With all the ports that it offers and the included 1-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable, you’re still getting a good amount of value for the price.

However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that you could still go with a dock from Plugable, save about $90, and get dual HDMI 2.1 outputs at the same time. In doing so, you’d lose out on all the Thunderbolt 4 goodness though, including the two rear 40Gbps ports. So, if you need those, then this dock is worth the $90 premium over Plugable’s more affordable USB4 dock .

In the end, Plugable’s Thunderbolt 4 docking station offers ample I/O and great build quality, though it does land itself on the higher end of the pricing spectrum.

Plugable Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Docking Station (TBT4-UDX1)

7/ 10

$270 $290 Save $20

Plugable’s latest Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 docking station delivers ample I/O for the high-end setup, though HDMI 2.1 is notably lacking. However, you’ll find three Thunderbolt 4 ports with full 40Gbps capability for hooking up SSDs and more, as well as delivering 2.5G ethernet and up to 96W of certified charging to your computer all through one cable.

$270 at Amazon $290 at Plugable

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