ATEN USB-C Travel Dock UH3238

ATEN USB-C Travel Dock UH3238 with 100W power pass-through (review)

8.4

ATEN USB-C Travel Dock UH3238 is a nifty little USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 dock for Mac, PC, iPad (USB-C) and Android. It provides HDMI, USB-A, USB-C 3.1 and 3.5mm combo headset outputs.

It is one of those docks that plugs directly (as in the body plugs in) to the USB-C port. For most, that is a deal-breaker because it can cover other ports or microphone and speaker, so before you buy, make sure it suits your smartphone or computing device. Or buy a 1m female-to-male USB-C  3.1 extension cable – about $10 from eBay – problem solved.

ATEN USB-C Travel Dock UH3238

Websitehere
PriceTBA – expect under A$100
Warranty2-years
FromBuy ATEN from computer retailers and online
ColourBlack and silver
Size90 x 32 x 8.2mm x 50g
CompanySimply Better Connections is the heart of the ATEN brand. Est 1979 in the US, it produces a huge range of KVM, professional audio/video, USB-C and Thunderbolt cables and dongles.
MoreMore GadgetGuy ATEN news and reviews here

Let’s start with the ports

Remember, it is a travel dock that works in upstream powered or downstream unpowered mode. Ports include:

  • USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps male to upstream dock with the computing device
  • USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 supports BC 1.2 5V/1.5A/7.5W
  • USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 5V/.9A/4.5W
  • HDMI 2.0 4K@30fps
  • USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 for 92W upstream charging or can act as USB-C downstream 5V/1.5A/7.5W
  • 3.5mm 4-pole combo headset/mic port

Power output depends on ports in use

  • If both USB-A ports use power combined output is 5V/1.8W/9W
  • If both USB-A and the USB-C downstream port use power, the combined output is 5V/1.5A/7.5W

Upstream power delivery

You can use any USB-C PD 3.0 (5/9/15/20V) to 100W (The dongle itself uses 5V/1.6A/8W) to charge at 92W. This will support 100W devices.

Video output

The HDMI port offers 4K@30Hz and HDCP 2.2. Using the downstream USB-C port with ALT DP 1.4 mode can support 4K@60Hz with a compatible monitor supporting DisplayPort Stream Compression 3.1 (DSC3.1) and Display Port Hight Bitrate 3 (HBR 3) link rate – best to count on 4K@30Hz.

Tests (Surface Pro 7 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 and Samsung S21 Ultra USB-C 3.1 Gen 1)

  • HDMI 2.0 4K@30Hz – pass
  • USB-C Alt DP 1.4 4K@60Hz with Samsung 4K USB-C Alt DP 1.4 – pass
  • Dual monitors – USB-C and HDMI – 2 x 1080p@60Hz – pass
  • Downstream voltage on USB ports – pass
  • Upstream power 100W – pass
  • Thunderbolt 3 and 4 connection – pass

Caveats

  • May not work on Windows devices with USB-C if the processor is not Intel Core 7th Gen or later (or AMD equavalent). Requires Intel HD graphics 615 or later for dual monitor
  • MacBook Pro 2016 or MacBook 2015 support one monitor. Recommended to use the original or an Apple LPS certified charger
  • iPad Pro 3rd generation or later for one monitor. Recommended to use the Apple LPS charger
  • Smartphones and tablets with USB-C 3.1 support 1080p screen mirroring. Some Samsung Galaxy S devices and tablets support DeX (Desktop eXperience), and the USB-A ports support keyboard and mice
  • When used as a dongle without power-pass through the maximum wattage available is 7W downstream (provided the host device provides 5V/3A/15W)

GadgetGuy’s take

Another excellent product from ATEN, although it will lose points on design – plugging into the host device usually covers essential ports.

ATEN USB-C Travel Dock UH3238
ATEN USB-C Travel Dock UH3238 is a nifty little USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 dock with 100W power pass-through for Mac, PC, iPad and Android. It provides HDMI, USB-A, USB-C and 3.5mm combo headset outputs.
Features
9
Value for money
9
Performance
9
Ease of use
9
Design
6
Positives
Provides essential ports in small format
100W power-pass-through
Negatives
Design may cover other essential ports
8.4