You would be a mugable if you did not consider Plugable TBT3-UDC3 for your next Thunderbolt 3/USB-C 96W docking station. Its new range of Thunderbolt 3 (TB3) docks with Intel’s Titan Ridge Chipsets are standout performers.
Sorry for the rhyming pair; I think it got your attention. Plugable is not a well-known brand in Australia, but it should be.
I had not heard of Plugable until I reviewed its Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C (TBT3-UDC1) – a new breed of Gen 2 dock and I was hugely impressed.
That is not to take away from excellent docking stations from Bellin, Kensington et al. It was my first review a dock using the latest Intel Titan Ridge Chipset (JHL7440 – it’s a PDF link so check downloads). It offers 100% cross-compatibility between USB-C 3.1/2 and Gen 1/2 and Thunderbolt 3 20/40Gbps. And now TB4 and USB-4.
In many respects it is similar to the TBT3-UDC1 except that it has 98W passthrough power for big thirsty MacBook Pro’s etc.
First, a word on Thunderbolt 4
Intel Project Evo laptops with 11th gen Core CPUs have TB4. It supports 1x8K, 2x4K@60Hz displays and the new USB-4 standard.
There is no downside to using a Plugable TB3 dock on a TB4 device. The Plugable TBT3-UDC3 meets most of the TB4 standards, including upstream power.
Second, a word on why to use a dock
Most modern laptops come with either a USB-C 3.1/3.2, Gen 1/2 (5/10Gbps) port, and some have TB3 or 4 (40Gbps).
Typically, an intelligent, powered dock can split the 5 to 40Gbps full-duplex signal into USB-A, USB-C, card reader, 3.5mm combo audio, Ethernet and HDMI/DP. These also supply upstream power to the device and downstream power to attached devices.
A dock is different from a dongle that splits the signal into limited devices and can pass through power from a wall charger.
Australian review: Plugable TBT3-UDC3 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C 100W docking station
- Website here
- Price: $309.95 with free Australian delivery
- From: eBay USA Plugable store or Amazon AU
- Warranty: 2-years
- Elevator pitch: TB3 dock done the right way with TB4 support
- Country of manufacture: Thailand
- Plugable (website here). Redmond, Washington, USA. It has a wide range of products sold worldwide and is consistently in the ‘Top 5’ global docking station market. Would you buy a dock from such a diverse group – I would!
Thee TB3 dock with TB4 aspirations
This is a next-gen TB3 dock that already supports 99% of TB4 and USB-3x and USB-4x standards. The 1% it does not support is Intel VT-d based DMA protection built into 11th Generation Intel CPUs to stop the dock being an attack vector from attached devices. In other words – no biggie.
To do this, it uses the Intel Titan Ridge chipset that offers manufacturers the choice of two discrete display ports (DP 1.4 and/or HDMI 2.0) or one port and one downstream 20Gbps TB3 port.
Ports
- Ethernet
- USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps (data only – no Alt DP)
- Display Port 1.4 and Display Stream Compression (DSC) – also comes with a DP to HDMI adapter
- HDMI 2.0
- 2 x USB-A 3.0 5Gbps
- 2.5mm combo audio
- Upstream TB3 port
- Power in 20V/8.5A
Plugable elected to use the second channel to support two monitors instead of a second 20Mbps TB3 port. I think that is the right call for a few reasons.
- First, many TB3 and TB4 laptops have two 40Gbps ports.
- Second, two monitor configurations are more common
- Third, you can use a USB-C port for an extra monitor.
Dual monitors – Windows – yes, Mac M1 – hmmm be careful
The two ports can support 2 x 4K@60Hz (or 1080p). The CPU/GPU determines the maximum number of displays – usually three with the laptop.
The new Mac ASRM M1 mini can only support one display via HDMI and one via USB-C. The MacBook Air/Pro only supports one external display. It appears that you can use DisplayLink Version 1.2 for macOS 11 Big Sur or later to enable dual external monitors.
Power
Plugable uses a big 170W brick supply (RCM certified). It delivers 20V/4.8A/96W certified to an upstream device. It will provide whatever the PD device negotiates,
Tests (Windows HP 13” Spectre 2020 Thunderbolt 3 65W and Windows Surface Pro 7 2020 with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2)
This is highly techy, but you can take our word that it all passes with flying colours
- 2 x USB-A 3.0 5Gbps (625MBps): PASS with a Samsung T7 SATA 6 SSD (reached speeds expected of this interface).
- Voltage out: 5V/.9A – PASS
- 1 x USB-A 10Gbps (1250MBps): PASS with a Samsung T7 SSD
- USB-A BC 1.2 port 5V/1.5A – PASS
- 2 x USB-C 10Gbps (1250MBps): PASS with a Samsung T7 SSD
- Voltage out: 5V/1.5A: PASS
- 1 x Thunderbolt 3 upstream: PASS on both devices (we can’t test above 65W and it delivered that nicely)
- Ethernet 1Gbps – PASS
- DP 1.4 and HDMI 2.0: 2 x 4K@60Hz – PASS with HP Z38C 3800×1600@60Hz and HP Z34C 3440 x 1440@60Hz and 2 x Samsung LC27F591 1920 x 1080@60Hz
- 3.5mm port – 16-bit 48Khz PASS. it is a combo four-pole (L+R+Mic+Ground)
Awesome review, actually came here from the wd black 50 review you did. So glad you linked to this one! Bought it because I don’t want dangles off a dock.. I love that I can plug in both DP and HDMI directly. And I appreciate the 2x usb a in the front. Awesome and agree 10/10. I tried the Kensington tb4 dock and it required the usbc dangles and I couldn’t even get it to work. I’m excited to give this one a shot!
Yes, I am impressed too and the gear is so well made and thought out. 10/10
Just a follow-up, I received the TBT3-UDC3 dock and it works with my 2021 Aero 17 YD perfectly. Even charges it! Thanks again for the writeup on this.
I have been impressed with the Plugable Intel Titan range – so much so that I replaced all Gen 1 Docks (yes bloody expensive) and any old dock issues are gone.
Any recommendations where to buy in Aus? The Amazon Au store is sold out and no view to restock. The US store only comes with a US power supply.
I have forwarded the comment to Plugable. Should hear back in a day or so.
There is one here https://www.amazon.com.au/Plugable-Thunderbolt-Docking-Station-Charging/dp/B08PW19VNM?ref_=ast_sto_dp
There is one here https://www.amazon.com.au/Plugable-Thunderbolt-Docking-Station-Charging/dp/B08PW19VNM?ref_=ast_sto_dp