Plugable USB-C Dual 4K Display Docking Station (UD-6950PDH) review

Plugable 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, 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.

Most Macs boast 40Gbps Thunderbolt these days, so if you require top data-transfer speeds you should consider another of our best Thunderbolt docks for Mac. 10Gbps is the USB-C norm these days, but if you want 40Gbps in a dock that also offers DisplayLink functionality, check out the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with DisplayLink.

The Plugable dock ships with a 1m (3.3ft) USB-C cable that theoretically can handle 10Gbps but the most you’ll get from the dock is 5Gbps. The 5Gbps upstream port that you use to connect to the laptop is handily located on one of the ends of the dock, rather than at the front as some dock manufacturers insist on doing.

There’s only one downstream USB-C port (to a device other than the host laptop) but four old-school USB-A ports. We’d prefer more USB-C ports than USB-A, which is getting a bit long in the tooth now. Plugable isn’t alone in still providing plenty of USB-A ports, and I expect it knows more about its audience than I do but I look forward to the day when USB-A is no longer a consideration.

That singular USB-C port and one of the USB-A ports offer 7.5W of device charging power—which, while better than the other ports’ weedy 4.5W power output, is still not a great deal of use if you want to charge even a phone from the dock. 7.5W is fine for low-power storage devices (and equivalent to a MagSafe-compatible wireless charger), but the dock loses points for not having at least one downstream 20W or higher USB output.

An external SSD drive might only need around 3W of power, so the USBs here are going to be able to handle that load but you may need the 7.5W on some storage devices that you connect, especially if they are writing data. External HDDs are more power-hungry so even 7.5W might be a little light.

However, the passthrough PD 3.0 power from the dock to the laptop is impressive at 100W. The maximum power output is determined by the 134W power supply, but the lightly powered USB ports mean that it won’t be troubled even fully loaded.

On top of the USB ports is Gigabit Ethernet for fast and stable wired network access, and two storage card readers.

While it’s flexible in offering both SD and MicroSD card readers, it’s odd that the SD reader is fast UHS-II (312MBps) while the MicroSD is pegged back at 104MBps. While we’ve seen docks with both either UHS-I or UHS-II, we’ve never seen this speed disparity between readers on one dock before. MicroSD cards are often cheaper than SD cards so having this format at the slower speed is something a disappointment. That said, unless you require super-fast data transfer from the card, it shouldn’t bother you too much.

Speed aside, having these card readers opens up a world of ultra-affordable portable storage with SD cards offering up to 2TB in a tiny package. At the time of writing, Amazon is selling a SanDisk 1.5TB MicroSD card for $110. A 512GB version costs under $50. Note that memory card prices are quite volatile so keep looking for the best prices over time.

Also at the front is a 3.5mm combination audio jack port, replacing the separate speaker and mic inputs found in the original UD-6950. That’s a nice upgrade but is par for the course in modern docking stations.

Display power via DisplayLink

At the back of the dock are what will interest M1 and M2 MacBook owners: two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports for video connection to external displays.

While these ports are not the most up-to-date (DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4) they still support up to 4K at a healthy 60Hz refresh rate, which is the standard a dock should aspire to. If you want 5K or 6K, look elsewhere.

As mentioned at the start of this review, frustratingly Apple has capped its plain M1 and M2 MacBooks at just the one possible external display. Plain M3 MacBooks can support two but only if the laptop is closed with its screen hidden. With a DisplayLink-compatible docking station, the M1/M2/M3 MacBooks can enjoy displays even with the laptop’s screen on show.

You can use both HDMI or both DisplayPort or a mix of each, depending on your monitor requirements. Two video ports will always be left empty, but the flexibility is welcome.

As with all DisplayLink docks, HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is not supported on macOS when this docking station is connected. HDCP content—as found on Netflix, Disney, Prime, Apple TV, etc—will not play on the displays or the MacBook’s built-in display while the dock is connected. You can simply disconnect the dock to use these streaming services on the laptop screen, but they won’t play on the external screen when the dock is attached.

Design

I’m not sure why Plugable designates this new dock as a redesigned UD-6950. It is a completely different build and design and may as well have been given a new name. It doesn’t matter, of course—I am just curious about such things and am often lost in a jumble of confusing similarly named but quite different products.

While the old UD-6950 was a capable if plasticky vertical dock with DisplayPort but no HDMI and the UD-6950H was an equally non-metal horizontal dock with HDMI (and DisplayPort), the new UD-6950PDH is a sleeker, horizontal space-gray aluminum alloy chassis that will look much more comfortable next to an Apple MacBook.

We appreciate that the dock includes a power button for fast and easy powering of the docking station that enables power-saving when the docking station is not in use. As well as reducing energy consumption, it can extend the lifespan of connected devices. On docks without a power button, you must pull out the USB-C or Thunderbolt cable from the dock when you leave it unattended for a long time to save energy and preserve device battery health.

Price

The Plugable UD-6950PDH is available in the U.S. for $199.95 and Canada at a price of CA$287.95. This is a reasonable price for a dock with a bunch of useful ports and video port flexibility.

No availability outside of North America has yet been announced.

For more DisplayLink docking stations look at our chart under the workaround steps on our M1 and M2 MacBook multiple displays feature.

Verdict

This is a good-looking and flexible DisplayLink docking station with numerous (if rather underpowered) USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet and two card readers. If data-transfer speeds are not a big factor in their buying decision, M1, M2 and M3 MacBook owners will appreciate the DisplayLink functionality that brings the world of dual external displays within their reach in a sleek Mac-friendly case.