Latest news with #DisplayLink
The Verge
14-05-2025
- The Verge
Plugable's new dock supports five displays from one USB-C port
Plugable has announced a new docking solution for Windows and Mac users that supports up to five simultaneous displays, including a mix of 4K and 8K. The new $279.95 UD-7400PD dock actually supports more displays than the pricier Thunderbolt 5 docks that have recently launched which max out at three 4K screens. But Plugable's latest comes with some performance limitations that could make it better suited for those wanting more screen real estate for spreadsheets and other productivity apps. Unlike solutions such as CalDigit's recently announced $370 TS5 dock that only supports a trio of 4K displays when connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 5, the Plugable UD-7400PD works with machines featuring at least a video-capable USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. That standard, supporting transfer rates of 10Gbps, debuted back in 2017, meaning Plugable's new dock should work across a large number of existing PCs. Using its two HDMI connections and three USB-C ports, the dock can drive up to five 4K 60Hz displays, three 8K 30Hz displays, or a combination of the two with four 4K screens plus an additional 8K one. It's all made possible through Synaptics' new DisplayLink DL-7400 chipset and the DisplayLink technology that compresses video feeds on the host computer so they can be transmitted through slower USB-C ports which are then decompressed using dedicated hardware in the dock. You'll need to install DisplayLink's software on your computer to make it all work, and the approach could result in reduced performance for applications like games that produce a large amount of data. Apps like spreadsheets, by comparison, compress well because they're relatively static. DisplayLink also doesn't support High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) which could prevent you from watching content from streaming platforms like Netflix on the external displays. The UD-7400PD dock also includes a front-facing 10Gbps USB-C port with 30W of power delivery and two 10Gbps USB-A ports. There's also a 2.5Gbps ethernet port, a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, and a host USB-C port that can charge laptops with up to 140W of power delivery. Given most productivity apps don't require the latest and greatest processors and graphics cards, despite the few downsides of the technology, Plugable's new dock provides an alternate path to an elaborate multi-screen setup without the added costs of upgrading all your gear to be Thunderbolt 5 compatible.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
CableTime Unveils New 20-Port Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
The new CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station can support up to three displays on a ... More Mac and five on a Windows computer. With the increasing availability of Thunderbolt ports on both Macs and PCs, the market for docking stations that can leverage this high-speed computer connection is heating up right now. Thanks to Thunderbolt ports, you can unlock a laptop's full potential by adding lots of extra ports, video displays and other peripherals all through a single cable. CableTime is a relatively new computer accessory brand I have written about before and the company's new 20-in-1 DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 Dock is its most sophisticated and feature-packed yet. This new dock has been made with power users in mind and provides the muscle for getting the most out of a laptop or desktop with Thunderbolt ports. Engineered from aircraft-grade aluminum, the CableTime Thunderbolt 4 triple monitor dock is relatively compact but still offers optimal heat dissipation. The CNC-milled chassis has a sleek look, while the built-in power switch, LED indicator and anti-slip rubber pad make it easy to control and plug in items, even on a polished or glass surface. A the front of the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station there are six USB-A ports ... More with 10Gbps speeds, a single USB-C port plus a Thunderbolt 4 port. There is also a combi audio jack and a slots for SD and TF memory cards. The 20-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Dock offers an impressive 20 ports and delivers ultra-fast data transfers thanks to Thunderbolt's 40Gbps bandwidth. The dock also has 90W charging. Thanks to DisplayLink technology, users can transform a compatible Mac into a triple 4K workstation. Up to three external displays can be connected using a Thunderbolt 4 port and any mix of HDMI or DisplayPort. The docking station works with Intel, M1, and M2 Macs—including models that typically only support a single external display. The docking station will work with Apple silicon MacBooks and Mac minis. With compatible Windows computers, it's possible to attach up to four external displays using Thunderbolt 4. The docking station can support up to five 4K displays running with a 60Hz refresh rate using a single Thunderbolt port, one HDMI port, one DisplayPort, and flexible additional HDMI/DP combinations. Users can configure their setups as single, dual, triple or quadruple displays making them suitable for creative professionals, traders and control centers. The docking station is equipped with 1 x HDMI 4K @ 60Hz, 1 x DP 4K @ 60Hz, 2 x HDMI and 2 x DisplayLink, 2 x Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps ports, 1x USB-C 3.2 10Gbps, 6 x USB-A 3.2 10Gbps, SD/TF card readers, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet LAN port, plus a combi audio/mic port with a 3.5mm stereo jack. Users can keep their devices powered with CableTime's DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 which comes with a 150W power adapter. The front port delivers up to 90W for powering a laptop and the rear port has 15W for smartphones or accessories. Looking at all the ports in a little more detail, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports providing speeds of 40Gbps speed, plus there is a high-speed USB-C port and six USB-A ports at 10Gbps. Users can connect a mouse, keyboard, flash drives, external hard drives and more. Built-in SD/TF 4.0 slots for reading memory cards deliver fast transfers up to 312MB/s, making it fast to move photos, videos and files. There is no shortage of ports on the front and rear of the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 ... More docking station. For computers without an Ethernet port, the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station has a LAN port with a speed of 2.5Gbps. Users can get faster streaming, downloads and stable wired connections for video conferencing. Some laptops don't offer a headphone or microphone jack so this docking station has a single 3.5mm audio and mic connection. Users can plug in their headphones, microphone or headset for clear sound, making it suitable for online meetings, gaming, or content creation. Because docking stations are expensive and highly desirable pieces of equipment there is a risk of them disappearing when used for hot desking. For this reason, the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station has an integrated Kensington lock slot that can be used to attach a cable lock, ensuring the dock stays exactly where it should be. A Kensington lock slot stops the CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station from ... More disappearing, an important feature in shared offices or where there is hot-desking. The new Thunderbolt 4 docking station from CableTime is compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, or USB-C devices, including MacBook Pros (macOS 11.4+), Windows laptops (Windows 10+), iPads, and other USB-C tablets if the USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. The CableTime DisplayLink Thunderbolt 4 docking station is shipping now from and other online outlets priced at $339.
