Latest news with #Plugable
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
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Plugable Unveils DockTag Hot-Desking Management And Asset Tracking Technology
Hot-desking can reduce costs for companies but needs careful management. Plugable's new DockTag ... More technology can help with desk booking, asset management and IT support and is embedded in Plugable's new UD-7400PD USB-C Docking Station. Flexible office seating allocation, often called hot-desking, is a cost-effective way of reducing office costs but it needs careful management if it's to work properly and keep all stakeholders engaged. Redmond-based computing accessory brand Plugable has developed new technology that can be embedded in its products to enable hot-desking management. DockTag is a new cloud-connected technology that simplifies the allocation of desk space and keeps track of assets as well as streamlining IT support. Plugable;s first product to support DockTag is the new Plugable UD-7400PD USB-C docking station and is DockTag compatible and is available immediately to Plugable's fleet customers across the world. 'Hardware alone doesn't solve the challenges of the hybrid office,' claims Bernie Thompson, Plugable's founder and CTO. 'DockTag turns every dock into an instruction manual, an asset tag awe well as a booking kiosk; all from a single screen.' Hot-desking can provide companies with significant cost savings by making more efficient use of available office space, especially now more employees are working some of the time from home. Because employees aren't in the office every day, fewer desk spaces are needed, but the available spaces require careful management to ensure everyone who wants a space can get one. The new DockTag feature from Plugable lets hot-deskers reserve a desk and it also works as an asset ... More manager for docking stations. Plugable says that businesses using hot-desking report up to 30% lower real estate expenses when desk occupancy averages 40% or less. However, without real-time visibility showing which of the spaces are free or occupied, both employees and IT support can face avoidable friction or even a breakdown of the allocation system. Plugable's DockTag addresses this by transforming the brand's docks into dynamic, self-service workstations. When connecting a monitor, a DockTag docking station projects an on-screen splash that shows desk-specific information like model, serial number and MAC address. DockTag also displays a QR code enabling employees to reserve the desk or request technical support instantly. The system can also switch dynamically to guide the user without needing help desk intervention. The technology requires no client-side installation or complex network configuration. DockTag enables companies to keep track of assets like docking stations from a central display. A recent Makula study published in March 2025 found that QR-based asset access can reduce manual searches and downtime by having all the key maintenance information just a scan away. DockTag can also reduce ticket volumes and can streamline employee onboarding in shared workspaces. The new UD-7400PD launching alongside DockTag is a USB-C five-display docking station that supports up to four 4K displays and one 8K display simultaneously. First unveiled at CES 2025, the UD-7400PD is now shipping in quantity to Plugable's fleet customers and IT professionals. The UD-74000DP docking station will be the first of Plugable's products to include DockTag. Built around the new DisplayLink DL-7400 chipset from Synaptics, the UD-7400PD is the first docking station that can support five simultaneous displays while providing up to 140W PD for powering high-performance laptops. The docking station is universally compatible with macOS and Windows. It's equipped with two HDMI ports and three DisplayLink-enabled USB-C ports. The UD-7400PD has a front-facing 10Gbps USB-C port with 30W charging, two front-facing 10Gbps USB-A ports (one with BC 1.2 charging), 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and a combo TRRS audio jack. There are also three rear-facing DisplayLink-enabled USB-C ports that can also support 10Gbps data transfer and 15W charging. Finally, a Kensington Lock slot stops the docking station from disappearing. Plugable's UD-7400PD docking station is available directly from Plugable and Amazon priced at $279.95 including a 20% launch discount. DockTag is offered as a subscription model costing $60 per desk per year. One plan includes access to all current features which include asset management, hot-desk booking and unlimited API usage. Future analytics enhancements are already planned.
