Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
DisplayLink software opens up impressive international showing electric potential . Not many of us need four screen but those who do will find this fast , 11 - port Plugable Thunderbolt 4 dock strong in features and reasonable in cost .
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Best Prices Today: Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station for 4K Quad Monitors
The Plugable Thunderbolt Docking Station with DisplayLink ( TBT-6950PD ) is a full 11 - port docking post that beats nearly all other Thunderbolt docks by boasting not just four Thunderbolt 4 porthole ( one upstream to the horde computer ) but two HDMI 2.0 ports as well .
That ’s a lot of video joining options , and , with some software instal , it can support up to four external 4 K display at 60Hz . If you want tohook up three or more monitors to your Mac , this dock is a solution that will keep with Mac ’s other ports free for other duties while adding a bunch more for blanket flexibility .
There are two other Thunderbolt docks that rival this setup . The preposterously endowed 21 - port iVanky Fusion Dock Max dockage — which is super - powered with not one but two Thunderbolt chips inside — is a behemoth , but costs $ 500 .
The closest compeer to the Plugable TBT-6950PD is the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi - Display Docking Station ( with DisplayLink ) . Indeed , these two Thunderbolt docks are almost identical in both features and looks . This could be the resultant role of follow the same Intel Reference Design plus sharing supply chain partners . Either way , we ca n’t separate the two in material terms . Later , we ’ll look at this verbatim comparison to help you take the better multi - display pier for your needs .
The single - chip Plugable and Satechi wharf must rely on third - political party DisplayLink computer software to give a four - display setup . DisplayLink enables even plain non - Pro / Max M1 / M2 Macs to connect to up to three showing ( one at 6 honey oil and two at 4 K ) , and plain M3 / M4 and Pro / Max M1 / M2 / M3 / M4 chip Macs to handle four 4 grand showing .
Plugable
Specs and features
Eleven port is a generous offering , and there are no duffer making up the numbers — unless you really must have Ethernet quicker than 1,000Mbps .
Thunderbolt 4 ( TB4 ) features the fastest available 40Gbps bandwidth plus smart gadget daisy - chaining and turbo - charged computer memory connectivity . It also offer Intel VT - d DMA machine shelter that run against drive - by Direct Memory Access ( DMA ) attacks using PCI hot plug devices . If you do n’t translate what that imply , just be reassured that Thunderbolt 4 has your back .
bolt of lightning 4 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB - C , so you may expend it with honest-to-god devices , but we bear your MacBook will be equipped with Thunderbolt 4 as it ’s been the default on the Pro models since 2021 and even the MacBook Air has the USB4 variant .
Apple has now begun equip its latest Macs — starting with those with at least an M4 Pro chip — with 80GbpsThunderbolt 5 , which is backwards compatible with TB4 and USB - C. However , there are few devices or docking facility that are yet ready for this touchstone so buying Thunderbolt 4 can still be recommended for probably at least a year until the newfangled standard becomes common enough not to be super expensive .
The Plugable TBT-6950PD dock requires you to use one of the Thunderbolt interface to plug into to your information processing system — this is known as the “ upstream ” larboard and is handily placed on one side of the dock . We prefer this placement as it keeps the cable out of view compare to docks that stick it at the front of the dock .
Plugable includes three “ downstream ” thunderclap 4 ports that can be used to link to extraneous displays and/or other convenience such as memory board devices . Most docks with three downstream Thunderbolt ports do n’t have devote video port include too , but the TBT-6950PD features two HDMI port .
To use these HDMI port as well as the TB port you require to establish DisplayLink software , which find around the limitations in Mac software that do n’t allow the MST ( Multi - Stream Transport ) technology that allows Windows PCs to prevail up to four displays with ease .
Apple usually warn you off install third - political party system software , but we are confident that you may believe DisplayLink software program , which is well build and used by many trust supplement Maker .
Installing DisplayLink on your Mac is reasonably simple , and we have more elaborate educational activity oninstalling DisplayLink computer software on a Macif those supply by Plugable are not enough for you .
Plugable has pedagogy andlinks to the late DisplayLink versionon its website .
Later in this review , we ’ll dig deeper into the Plugable TBT-6950PD ’s picture constellation options .
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Using the wharf , you could power the laptop at 96W ( via the upstream Thunderbolt connection ) and use two of the downstream TB port to at the same time excite your phone and iPad , for model . 15W is not enough power to fast - charge these devices but standard charging will still be speedy at that rate .
The sour grass ’s external might supply can handle 180W , which is a nice amount for a dock of this eccentric . If you want more oink from your dock , face at the CalDigit TS4 that has an impressive 230W powerfulness brick .
turn up upfront , there are two old - school USB - A port wine , at their quickest - possible 10Gbps information - transference speed . These ports can only output a puny 4.5W of power but it ’s enough for small - power twist such as memory sticks . Instead , expend the Thunderbolt ports to attach non - powered storage drives .
At the back there ’s a Gigabit Ethernet port for stable and speedy telegraph Internet entree . A growing number of Modern Thunderbolt docks feature faster 2.5Gb Ethernet that outpace 1Gb Ethernet by two and a half time if the internet you are plugged into supports such amphetamine . Gigabit Ethernet is quick enough for most wired web .
A 3.5 millimetre audio in / out port is put sensibly at the front of the bob for your loudspeaker , earpiece or mike .
The power push button the front of the wharfage gives you the option of plow off the wharf and therefore powerfulness to the attached laptop computer when you are done for the day . Most docks lack an on / off button forcing you to disconnect the cable television at night to terminate the laptop ’s battery constantly being powered up , which can harm the battery ’s life anticipation over time .
Multiple monitor support
Any MacBook Pro with Max variants of the M1 , M2 , M3 and M4 mainframe can back up up to four external 4 green displays at 60Hz , even without a bob : three presentation with 6 potassium resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one with up to 4 K resolving at 144Hz over its built - in HDMI .
However , that will use up all the MacBook ’s own built - in ports . Using a moorage station uses up just one of the MacBook ’s thunderclap ports for the upstream connexion to the pier . We ’re guessing that a four - display user is go to require to connect other gadget and use a fast wired meshing , and so in spades require a wharf for this expanding upon .
If you just need more Thunderbolt 4 and USB ports , the basic but port - bristlingCalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hubshould be all you need . But a dock is nearly always a more supportive resolution .
MacBook Pros with Pro variants of the M1 , M2 , M3 or M4 processor are limited to two external displays . The same is now true for Macs with the spare M4 fleck . DisplayLink therefore opens the chance to impart three or four external display , making the Plugable bob a wise option .
MacBooks with the standard M1 , M2 or M3 processors ( neither Pro nor Max ) natively support just one show . This is where DisplayLink docks such as the Plugable TBT-6950PD are especially utile . Even using DisplayLink , these plain M - series Macs are limited to three extraneous display . If you must have four monitor to gawp at you involve a Pro or Max - equipped Mac , and we suspect it ’s only tycoon users who need so much cover blank .
There are DisplayLink docks with more USB ports than this Plugable loading dock or the similar Satechi Thunderbolt pier , but these are the perfect options for multiple - monitor powers — particularly as many as four outside displays .
When installing DisplayLink package be prepared for some fiddling around in your Mac ’s System preferences , allowing the software package to permit “ Screen Recording ” for DisplayLink gadget to ferment properly . Other than that , once install you should n’t need to worry about it again .
Supporting four show means Plugable ’s bob is peachy for the higher - power Pro and Max MacBooks . The only real competition is the much more expensive iVanky FusionDock Max 1 . Only using the FusionDock get you four 6 K display at 60Hz ( using all four of its downstream TB4 embrasure ) . With the Plugable , your best four display will be 4 K at 60Hz .
While the dock supports two Apple Studio Displays , connecting two displays via Thunderbolt would demand the resolution to be limited to 4 K at 60Hz using a DisplayLink sorrel .
It is also possible to aim one display at 6 K at 60Hz via one of the dock ’s downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports while also drive three extra display at up to 4 KB at 60Hz ( one via a second downstream Thunderbolt 4 port and two via the HDMI ports ) .
With the TBT-6950PD , base model M1 / M2 / M3 chips support a triple display constellation : single 6 K at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and dual 4 KB at 60Hz via HDMI . All good example of the M4 ( base , Pro , Max ) will be able-bodied to enjoy four displays via this sour grass , as will Pro and Max versions of the M1 / M2 and M3 .
Windows personal computer can support an even more impressive 8 K at 60Hz .
When connecting three displays , if you want one 6 K monitor , it is required for the other two monitors to be link via HDMI and using DisplayLink , while the 6 K monitoring gadget is link up to one of the Thunderbolt 4 larboard . The eminent resolution on the HDMI ports will be 4K/60Hz .
We ’ve snipe up thebest DisplayLink docksfor M1 , M2 , M3 and M4 MacBooks , and the Plugable TBT-6950PD wharf is , alongside the similar Satechi Thunderbolt DisplayLink dock , our recommended Thunderbolt 4 option due to Thunderbolt ’s fast data point transfer .
Using this dockage and DisplayPort , the M3 MacBook Air can digest four extraneous video display connected to the Thunderbolt dock , but only with its lid closed ( Clamshell Mode ) . You ’ll demand to apply a keyboard and mouse in this mode . control out options for thebest Mac keyboardandbest Mac shiner .
you’re able to connect displays directly to the Thunderbolt ports if your monitor have a USB - C connection . If not , you ’ll require either a USB - C - to - HDMI or USB - C - to - DisplayPort transcriber ( not included ) depending on the display ’s ports .
Price and alternatives
The Plugable Thunderbolt Docking Station with DisplayLink ( TBT-6950PD ) costs$299.95 , which is about in the heart of the Thunderbolt 4 dockage mart but symbolise value for money of multiple monitor is your destination .
Remember that the superiVanky FusionDock Max 1costs $ 500 . While it does n’t support four 6 super C displays , the Plugable does offer four 4 potassium displays . If 4 kelvin at 60Hz is enough for you , this is sound to keep open you a lot of money .
As observe at the starting signal of this critique , there is a approximate - identical Satechi Thunderbolt 4 DisplayLink loading dock that is price the same — read ourSatechi Thunderbolt 4 Multi - Display Docking Station ( with DisplayLink ) review . There are a few small differences where Plugable wins out : the Plugable ’s included TB4 cable measures 1 m compared to the 0.8 m Satechi cable television service ; the Satechi lacks the Plugable ’s security lock chamber one-armed bandit ; and the Plugable beat the Satechi when it come to Windows , with support for 60Hz 8 K compared to 30Hz 8K.
Other than that , to separate these two Thunderbolt 4 DisplayLink docks we advocate you liken the terms at the time of leverage . See the recent Plugable TBT-6950PD prices in this reexamination and see the competing prices in our Satechi TB4 DisplayLink Dock review linked to above .
U.K.-based customer ca n’t yet buy the Plugable TBT-6950PD , but can purchase the Satechi dock , which is useable internationally unmediated . take down that Satechi client outside of the U.S. will have to pay some transport costs–£22 for delivery to the U.K.—until it becomes available via Amazon in other regions . U.K. vendee will take to add their own C5 power cable’s length as it ship with either a North American or E.U. hype .
If you want a mere three external display , another choice is theAlogic DX3 Triple 4 K Display Universal Docking Station . It ’s 10Gbps USB - ampere-second rather than Thunderbolt but it does plunk for three 4 K displays at 60Hz . At the time of writing , it ’s discounted at Amazon but at full $ 299 retail monetary value is not as fine an choice as the Plugable or Satechi .
Should you buy Plugable Thunderbolt Docking Station with DisplayLink (TBT-6950PD)
There are Thunderbolt 4 sour grass with more porthole , but you will be buying the Plugable TBT-6950PD sorrel for its multiple monitor lizard support , not a fistful more USB - A embrasure . If it ’s more ports you ’re after , look through our roundup of thebest Thunderbolt docks for Mac .
If you are easy installing the third - party DisplayLink software ( and it ’s not overly complex ) , this opens up impressive outside display potential . Not many of us need four screens but those who do will find this fast , 11 - port Plugable Thunderbolt 4 dock strong in features and sensible in price .
