Laptop docking stations are something of a minefield: the many options out there can be very unpredictable for the large amount of money you pay. That’s why the Plugable TBT4-UD5 (cool name, I know) is a huge step forward in this category.
I mean $200 for a Thunderbolt 4 dock?! …what’s the trick? It turns out that for most people there is none. The port array is perfect for every workload, it has full 100W power delivery support for even the hungriest USB-C laptops, you can connect two 4K displays with ease, and you can get all this for a comparatively cheap price compared to its competitors.
Are there drawbacks to the formula? Sure. If you’re a frame rate purist, the HDMI 2.0 ports stop short of giving you a full 4K picture at 120Hz, and internet speed demons will be looking for the 2.5Gbps Ethernet speeds this doesn’t offer. Plus, if you’re looking for a bit of style for your docking station, this rather boring slab adorned with the Plugable logo won’t turn heads.
However, whether you’re a new member of the work-from-home group or a seasoned veteran looking for an affordable upgrade to your desk setup, this is possibly the best bang for your buck right now.
Pluggable TBT4-UD5: Reference Sheet
- What is it? This is a Thunderbolt 4 docking station.
- For whom it is? This is perfect for laptop users who want to create a powerful home office around them.
- What’s the price? The TBT4-UD5 costs $199.
- What ports do you get? On the TBT4-UD5, you’ll find two HDMI 2.0 ports, one Gigabit Ethernet, one Thunderbolt 4, four USB-A, another USB-C, a combo audio jack, and a microSD and full-size card slot.
- Are there any warnings about this docking station? A docking station is as much about the laptop as it is about the dock itself. For example, standard M1/M2/M3 MacBooks will only support a single display output. Be sure to check the specifications of your laptop and contact the Jugo Mobile Forums If you have any question!
Pluggable TBT4-UD5: Specifications
TBT4-UD5 pluggable: the advantages
For most of you, this is a docking station for your laptop. Let me explain why with three key reasons.
All the ports most of you could want
Whatever your workload requirements, the TBT4-UD5 has the ports to support them. Do you do a lot of photography? Say hello to SD or microSD card slots. Do you have a dense multitasking workload for two displays? Those two HDMI 2.0 outputs give you a 4K 60Hz image on both.
Add to that legacy ports in the form of four USB-A, along with more current standards like USB-C and Thunderbolt 4, and you have a powerful, full-featured accessory for any desktop. Oh, and we’re not even talking about Gigabit Ethernet for a more powerful wired Internet connection. This really has it all.
Full power delivery
You read a lot about delivering 100W power from docking stations, but there’s a lot that doesn’t necessarily hit that mark. Through my own testing, I can confirm that this is not an issue here.
When using a USB-C power meter, I comfortably hit this number, giving that confidence to users with more power-hungry laptops.
Value for money
Let’s list some of Plugable’s comparable competitors here. CalDigit TS4 It gives you a couple of added benefits like extra USB ports, DisplayPort 1.4, and Ethernet with 2.5Gbps speeds, but you’re paying $450 for the pleasure.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock It doesn’t have anywhere near the number of ports (or SD card slots), and you’re paying $300 for it.
Plugable sits right in the middle of these two, and in doing so, the company has found the sweet spot in terms of price-performance ratio. You get a lot of versatility for $200 here!
TBT4-UD5 plug-in: the disadvantages
However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely free of flaws. These issues may be a bit more for docking station purists, but are worth knowing about for those who have specific needs.
it’s a little bland
For what it’s capable of, the design is a bit unremarkable. It’s a black plastic case that’s lightweight for what it does,
Some people will prefer a more discreet accessory on top of their desk; I certainly prefer it. That’s why I prefer this black slab adorning my setup. However, I totally understand that this is not to everyone’s taste.
Plus, if you’re short on space, the beastly power brick can be a bit of an obstacle when setting it up. I know this is kind of the norm when it comes to Thunderbolt docks, but personally, I’d love to see a future where the power supply is always implemented in the dock itself.
Some port limitations
That is, there are two limitations. First, Ethernet is limited to gigabits rather than the 2.5 Gbps we see from companies like Caldigit. And second, you get HDMI 2.0 ports, not the full HDMI 2.1.
For most of you, this won’t be a big obstacle. Most Internet speed capabilities of average broadband packages cannot meet these speed requirements, and only serious gamers and the most intense workloads will need to require a full 120Hz refresh rate. But If you fall into these niches, you will have to pay more.
TBT4-UD5 plug-in: verdict
For most people, the Plugable TBT4-UD5 will give them everything they need to get things done. Lots of ports and impressive performance at an attractive price. If you’re looking for a Thunderbolt 4 docking station, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one as versatile yet affordable as this option.
For some specific requirements, there are port limitations, and if you’re looking for something flashier, this isn’t the one. But for the vast majority who want to easily connect their laptop to a home setup with all the ports to increase their productivity, this is the ideal dock.