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
Website | here |
Price | TBA – expect under A$100 |
Warranty | 2-years |
From | Buy ATEN from computer retailers and online |
Colour | Black and silver |
Size | 90 x 32 x 8.2mm x 50g |
Company | Simply 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. |
More | More 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.
would this work on a Lenovo ideapad duo?
I think you are referring to a Lenovo Ideapad Duet Chromebook. Website here https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/laptops/lenovo/chromebooks/Lenovo-CT-X636/p/ZZICZCTCT1X. It states 1 x USB-C 2.0 (support OTG, data transfer, Power Delivery, and DisplayPortâ„¢) so sorry it is too slow – you need USB-C 3.1 Gen 1.
Ray