Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH): A stylish and flexible docking station

Flexible DisplayLink dock brings dual-display support to M1, M2 and M3 Macs.

- SIMON JARY

Plugable (fave.co/4122fJt) has radically redesigned its popular UD-6950PDH docking station, which now comes to the attention of owners of the M1 and M2 (and to a lesser degree M3) Macs. With this docking station, Macs with the plain (non-Pro or Max) M1 and M2 processor can connect two extra displays, whereas in default mode these Macs are limited to just one external display.

As we explain in our feature on how to connect two or more displays to an M1 and M2 Mac (fave.co/3RbaED1), this bonus functionality requires the user to install a DisplayLink software driver to get around Apple's frustrating limitation..

While plain M3 (and soon M4) MacBooks can connect to two external displays, the laptop's own screen must be off with the laptop's lid closed. A DisplayLink dock allows that M3 MacBook to remain open with the two additional displays attached.

SPECS AND FEATURES

The Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) features an impressive 13 ports alongside its DisplayLink M1/M2-display savior function.

> USB-C upstream connector to laptop (100W PD 3.0)

> 1x USB-C (5Gbps, 7.5W)

> 1x USB-A (5Gbps, 7.5W)

> 3x USB-A (5Gbps, 4.5W)

> 2x DisplayPort 1.2 ports

> 2x HDMI 1.4 ports

> Gigabit Ethernet

> SD card reader (UHS-II, 312MBps)

> MicroSD card reader (UHS-I, 104MBps)

> 3.5mm audio

> 134W power supply

There's a lot of ports here, but you won't get data transfer any faster than 5Gbps as that's the top speed of all the USB ports, including the upstream USB-C to the laptop.