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Image: Mark Hachman / IDG
Historically, you’ve had two alternatives to provide bigger the port capabilities of your pc: an cheap USB-C dongle or a more extremely efficient, dear Thunderbolt docking region. A Third possibility is quietly emerging, searching out for to interrupt up the adaptation. A DisplayLink docking region (sometimes known as a USB-C dock) uses files compression to give the capabilities of a Thunderbolt dock over a standard USB-C or Thunderbolt cable.
Why purchase one? DisplayLink docking stations works mighty for customary day-to-day productiveness, and in my trip the docks are more cost effective and more proper than older Thunderbolt 3 desktop docks. They’re an upgrade over our picks for the exact USB-C hubs dongles, and more cost effective than the exact Thunderbolt docking stations for your pc. They’ll also make stronger more displays than a native Thunderbolt dock. They’re good no longer suited for gaming.
If you happen to favor a fuller explanation of how DisplayLink works and what it supplies, you’ll acquire that straight away under our two rapid DisplayLink docks, below. You’ll furthermore acquire a FAQ with answers to questions you will also just need. I defective my tricks on hands-on sorting out of the DisplayLink docking stations.
Why you need to belief me: I’ve worked as a technology journalist for roughly 30 years, and at PCWorld for the final decade. I’ve tested dozens of USB-C hubs, Thunderbolt docks, and DisplayLink docking stations. I employ a docking region in my day-to-day work, related to a pair of 4K displays, and I customarily evaluation a handful of fresh merchandise every month.
Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
The exact DisplayLink docking stations
Despite the reality that I’ve tested a different of DisplayLink docking stations for laptops, I even possess two rapid docks. They’re the same picks that seem on PCWorld’s list of the exact Thunderbolt desktop docks for your pc.
Ugreen 9-in-1 USB-C (Revodok) Docking Enviornment CM615 – Most productive USB-C DisplayLink dock
Execs
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Terrific sign and cost
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Pleasing steadiness
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Gargantuan expose port flexibility
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Strengthen for two 4K60 displays
Cons
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Need to contrivance your hang energy provide
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Can warm to somewhat alarming temperatures
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A lack of naming consistency
Why I cherished the Ugreen 9-in-1 USB-C (Revodok) Docking Enviornment CM615
Treasure one of the predominant top class Thunderbolt docks, Ugreen’s DisplayLink dock gives alternatives to make employ of both HDMI or DisplayPort to join a expose, allowing you to make employ of your present expose cables and live far from losing money.
Treasure most DisplayLink docks, this dock changed into unusually proper, and not using a flickering between displays — one of many explanations I love DisplayLink docks. Some varied Thunderbolt docks provide the same flexibility to shift between displays, however no longer many. Ugreen’s dock does so affordably.
Who have to purchase the Ugreen 9-in-1 USB-C (Revodok) Docking Enviornment CM615
If you happen to’re no longer insecure about hunting down the coolest machine driver (on memoir of Ugreen, bless them, does no longer produce it obvious that it wants one) than I would counsel that you purchase this dock. It supplies moderately about a the decisions of more dear Thunderbolt docks at an inexpensive sign.
Read our stout
Ugreen 9-in-1 USB-C (Revodok) Docking Enviornment CM615 evaluation
Sonnet Echo 13 Triple 4K Reward Dock – Most productive USB-C DisplayLink dock runner-up
Execs
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Strengthen for 3 4K60 displays
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Solid cost
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20W of charging energy for smartphones, 100W for pc
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Exemplary documentation
Cons
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Sing expose connection disconnected once
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Wretched, glitchy intermittent audio
Why I cherished the Sonnet Echo 13 Triple 4K Reward Dock
Sonnet’s Echo 13 Triple 4K Reward Dock follows the consuming course varied DisplayLink docks possess blazed: The dock’s constructed-in compression system you will join to three 4K displays, with out penalty. And yes, it genuinely works as marketed, even when with one bother that holds it wait on: spotty audio that genuinely wants to be mounted. (If you happen to employ your pc’s headphone jack, there’s no bother.)
There changed into a shrimp bit of instability, however performance changed into superb. And with 20W of charging energy for your cell phone and 100W for your pc, you’ll be in a deliver to energy a grand wider vary of notebook alternatives.
Who have to purchase the Sonnet Echo 13 Triple 4K Reward Dock
The cost differential between the Sonnet and Ugreen docks have to support acknowledge that request: The Sonnet purchaser is willing to pay a shrimp more for what is totally a correctly-made and correctly-documented dock, with sure directions. Truly, with out the fee differential and the audio disorders, this continuously is the cease dock in the category.
Read our stout
Sonnet Echo 13 Triple 4K Reward Dock evaluation
DisplayLink USB-C docks: How DisplayLink works
USB-C hubs, Thunderbolt desktop docks, and now DisplayLink docking stations possess emerged on memoir of of two factors: the rising ubiquity of get-the relaxation USB-C ports, and the realization by pc makers that they’ll employ these ports to eradicate the whole dedicated HDMI, microUSB, SD card slots, and USB-A ports that can litter up their notebook PCs.
DisplayLink docks provide one of the predominant native functions of a Thunderbolt dock, particularly the skill to drive a pair of excessive-resolution displays. Attributable to of the inherent bandwidth boundaries, DisplayLink docking stations provide a first rate different for set aside of business workers, who can employ those extra displays for static functions love email, chat, spreadsheets, or set aside of business work.
A USB-C port customarily gives 10Gbps of bandwidth. Thunderbolt 3/4, which runs over the same bodily USB-C port, gives 40Gbps. In the correct world, that customarily system that a USB-C dongle can join to a single 4K expose (at 30Hz) whereas Thunderbolt can join to two 4K displays, at 60Hz. DisplayLink can you give the advantages of a 40Gbps Thunderbolt connection by the utilization of fine a 10Gbps USB-C interface.
How? Data compression. A DisplayLink dock can both employ a “historic” 10Gbps USB-C connection, or make possibly the many of the additional bandwidth supplied by an present Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port. Both system, it uses files compression to squeeze more files throughput over the port. We employ files compression every day, in photos and streamed video from YouTube and Netflix, and by no system verify. It’s the same here; your Home windows desktop and functions will look the same.
DisplayLink is a technology owned by Synaptics, meaning it’s a proprietary customary. Every DisplayLink dock has a definite DisplayLink chip constructed interior of it. (DisplayLink docks sometimes ever, if ever, put up which Synaptics chip they employ, so a DisplayLink dock’s capabilities could perhaps also just vary by product.)
DisplayLink USB-C docks: Execs and cons
DisplayLink’s files compression system there are two negatives to the technology, which we’ll get out of the system.
While USB-C and Thunderbolt figure out of the field, DisplayLink requires a machine driver. With out it, this can characteristic as a generic USB-C dock. I’ve by no system seen any DisplayLink docks employ their hang distinctive drivers (even when they are going to even just). In spite of every thing, you will employ Synaptics’ legitimate DisplayLink drivers. Most dock makers put up this files honest up entrance, however no longer all get. (Manufacture sure to reboot after installing it.)
DisplayLink works perfectly correctly for email, Observe, Excel, and the relaxation static, love a online page. Nonetheless it does possess boundaries: 10Gbps is chunk of bandwidth. Nonetheless pushing a ton of files all over this can reason photos to stutter and hitch. In practice, this means that PC gaming on a DisplayLink dock is iffy: A gradual-paced game love Baldur’s Gate 3 wants to be ravishing, however a frantic shooter love Battlefield or Helldivers 2 possibly won’t give you a first rate trip in any admire. Taking part in 4K video from Netflix or YouTube? It shouldn’t be a bother. Taking part in 4K video whereas copying files from a laborious drive and downloading a file? All the things will work, albeit slowly.
The mighty advantage for me is that DisplayLink tends to be genuinely proper. Older Thunderbolt 3 hardware on the whole is a shrimp glitchy when connecting to a pair of displays. In my trip, DisplayLink docks aren’t. That issues to some of us.
DisplayLink (on the whole with a DisplayLink 4K logo on it) can furthermore join to a pair of displays, grand more than Thunderbolt. I don’t possess room to neatly explain off a disclose of three and even four displays, however belief me — I’ve tried it on a pair of times, and it genuinely works. The hitch is that your pc needs to be succesful of rendering on four displays, and you’ll customarily have to shut your pc to get so. Which will mean adjusting the Home windows Alter Panel to explain your pc to transfer away it up and working.
Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
Can I get somewhat nerdy for a 2nd? In case you use a DisplayLink dock to join to more than two displays, there’s grand more magic occurring in the wait on of the scenes. Rob a DisplayLink dock love the Plugable UD-6950PDZ, which helps three 4K displays at 60Hz. It uses Synaptics’ most evolved chip, the DL-6950. Nonetheless the DL-6950 finest helps a pair of displays. To enable a third external expose, the dock is the employ of DisplayLink for two displays, and your pc’s hang “customary” DisplayPort connection (known as DisplayPort Alt Mode) to drive the third.
That brings up the final level that I repeatedly need to provide: Present hardware is most intriguing. A frail DisplayLink docks works most intriguing on, train, a 10th- or 11th-gen Core processor or a complementary AMD Ryzen pc. With the relaxation more evolved — 12th-, thirteenth-, and 14th-gen — you can need to possess a aesthetic very finest trip.
Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
Mark Hachman / IDG
How I take a look at DisplayLink docking stations
I employ the same methodology to envision DisplayLink docks as I get to envision Thunderbolt docking stations. Right here’s a synopsis.
First, I steal the dock from its packaging and get in mind its construction. I measure the cord length and check the dock’s bodily dimensions with a ruler.
I’ll then read the handbook: Does the dock need any drivers? (Sure this can.) Are there links? What does the handbook train in regards to the dock’s capabilities, by system of energy and velocity?
Subsequent, I steal a USB key or two and join them to the readily accessible USB ports to search out out if they’ve ample home to enable several to be related on the same time. I then stumble on the expose ports, acquire the exact cables, and then join the dock to the pc. I employ a series of laptops with varied generations of AMD and Intel hardware, and check to transfer trying if the trip is similar on every. If it isn’t, I produce notes.
I then measure the energy output of the ports, the employ of a USB multimeter, a smartphone, and a pc to measure how grand energy the dock delivers to a pc.
At final, I check to transfer trying how correctly the dock performs under load. I employ a teach take a look at pc for this purpose for repeatable outcomes. I movement a 4K60 YouTube video the employ of the Ethernet port on the dock (if it has one) and explain any dropped frames. I on the whole consult with a pre-recorded 4K60 video working from an SSD.
I then walk PCMark 10’s SSD storage benchmark off of a take a look at SSD, related to the dock. I measure the ranking, then measure the ranking again whereas streaming a video. I then reproduction a stout, multigigabyte folder of assorted files from my pc everywhere in the bus and measure the time it takes to get so. I repeat the take a look at whereas streaming video.
At final, I check the operation and performance of any SD card slots the dock has and take mark to audio via the audio jack, to provide obvious it genuinely works.
FAQ
1.
Would possibly perhaps well accrued you purchase a DisplayLink USB-C dock?
No longer all DisplayLink docks are created equal, which is why we take a look at them. Nonetheless for set aside of business workers on Home windows, completely. For avid gamers, give it a proceed.
DisplayLink docking region supplies a possibility to provide bigger your PC’s I/O capabilities, even with hardware that doesn’t make stronger Thunderbolt. If you happen to aren’t ecstatic with this, genuinely be at liberty to come wait on to the relative safety of a both a generic USB-C dongle or a extremely efficient Thunderbolt dock: Every provide simplicity and a known trip.
2.
How get I know if my dock is a DisplayLink dock?
It have to prominently feature a DisplayLink logo, which we embody a disclose of earlier in the memoir. No longer repeatedly, even when.
Taking a witness a DisplayLink dock on the whole is somewhat complex, too, since the interval of time “DisplayLink dock” isn’t genuinely in vogue. As an different, vendors will sometimes employ “USB-C dock” as an alternative. Correct read the documentation closely and witness the imprint.
3.
How grand have to a DisplayLink docking region cost?
DisplayLink changed into a more cost efficient different to Thunderbolt docks for the interval of the height of the work-from-home years. Then, a Thunderbolt dock would cost about $300, and a DisplayLink dock about $150 to $200 or so. Costs for both possess come down some, with DisplayLink docks initiating for as shrimp as $125.
4.
What number of units can a DisplayLink dock make stronger?
You’ll on the whole glimpse shut to as many ports on a DisplayLink dock as you will on a Thunderbolt dock, and most likely more. On the whole, DisplayLink is candy ravishing for connecting a pair of units simultaneously. It’s when they’re all in employ, transferring files, that the bus could perhaps also just get clogged and transfer charges could perhaps also just gradual down.
5.
What’s better, a DisplayLink dock or a Thunderbolt dock?
For now, there’s a case to be made that a DisplayLink dock is an even bigger cost: They’re on the whole more cost effective, more proper, and provide the aptitude for more displays. Nonetheless whereas you’re a gamer, the acknowledge is now not any longer the same. Avid gamers have to purchase a Thunderbolt dock as an alternative.
The sport adjustments, even when, when Thunderbolt 5 debuts later in 2024. Then, Thunderbolt 5 bandwidth will shoot as a lot as 80Gbps in both directions, allowing those docks to join to four 4K displays at 144Hz refresh charges and provide improved charging.
6.
Can a DisplayLink dock cost your pc and your smartphone?
If the DisplayLink docking region ships with its hang external energy brick, it wants to be succesful to, yes. Most DisplayLink docks provide an the same amount of energy as a Thunderbolt dock (a maximum of 90 to 95W to your pc, and hopefully ample energy to posthaste-cost a smartphone.)
7.
Is a DisplayLink docking region traipse and play?
No longer genuinely. You’ll need a driver from Synaptics or the dock maker to enable the dock’s stout performance.
8.
What’s DSC and HBR3? I’ve heard that those are a competitor to DisplayLink.
Reward Plug Compression with High Bandwidth Price 3 (DSC with HBR3) is a more delivery version of DisplayLink. It doesn’t require a machine driver, however you won’t glimpse this technology marketed in any admire. Alternatively, you will acquire it in merchandise love the Kensington SD5800T, which uses Thunderbolt 4 and DSC to enable four external 4K displays.
On the whole, the same principles practice. If you happen to hang a fresh, contemporary pc, you will also just possess one with DSC interior. Nonetheless here’s completely no longer a feature that pc makers advertise, both.
9.
Are DisplayLink and DisplayPort the same thing?
No, they’re no longer, even when the names are confusingly the same.
DisplayPort is a bodily expose connector as correctly as a expose protocol. Your pc can route DisplayPort expose protocols over Thunderbolt with out ever the employ of the connector itself. DisplayPort can furthermore be routed over a USB-C connection encoded with DisplayLink, too.
10.
Is a DisplayLink dock good for gaming?
No longer especially. It’s most intriguing for productiveness, which uses a different of home windows with static functions. Any time you push gobs and gobs of files over the DisplayLink bus, as you can perhaps presumably with gaming, you possibility the connection being saturated and your game diminished to a stuttery mess.
That you just shall be in a deliver to “game” with a gradual-paced game or one which doesn’t employ moderately about a posthaste-paced motion or detailed graphics, however it indubitably’s dreadful. Aquire a Thunderbolt dock as an alternative.
Creator: Mark Hachman, Senior Editor
As PCWorld’s senior editor, Mark makes a speciality of Microsoft files and chip technology, among varied beats. He has formerly written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.
