UGREEN is understood for making high-quality chargers and cables, and the model is now venturing into different equipment like USB-C docking stations. The model already rolled out a couple of USB-C hubs, and the 13-in-1 docking station is the primary full-fledged docking station aimed toward desktop use. Because the title suggests, it has 13 ports in whole, together with USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, and HDMI ports.
There are many USB-C hubs and docking stations out there, and the place UGREEN is trying to differentiate itself is the design. There’s additionally the truth that the 13-in-1 docking station has a smaller dimension than its rivals, and it does not want exterior energy — a key consideration for lots of customers. So in the event you’re all in favour of a docking station in your pocket book, this is what that you must know concerning the UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station.
UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station: Value and availability
UGREEN launched the 13-in-1 docking station in June 2022, and it’s now out there from the model’s web site for $329. You may also choose it up at Amazon for $299, and also you get a normal one-year guarantee.
The bundle comes with a bundled USB-C cable that works with the 100W USB PD protocol, and in what seems like a quaint addition, an set up disc for the requisite Home windows drivers.
UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station: What you will love
Most docking stations are giant and unwieldy on account of all of the ports, however UGREEN did an incredible job with the general design aesthetic of the 13-in-1 docking station. The aluminum chassis makes it sturdy and provides a little bit of magnificence to the design, and the diminutive dimension means you may take it wherever. There is a energy button positioned on the prime, and a tiny LED on the entrance that serves because the standing indicator.
Coming to the ports, there are two USB-A ports on the again, two USB-C ports — with one capable of ship 100W of energy — two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and a normal RJ45 connector for Ethernet. You get a good number of ports on the entrance as nicely, together with a 3.5mm jack, SD and MicroSD card readers, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port.
The latter’s inclusion on the entrance makes it that rather more handy to plug in equipment like a mic, and I usually discovered myself utilizing the entrance USB-A port fairly a bit. Whereas the entrance USB-C port is not marketed for charging, I used to be in a position to make use of it with the Nothing cellphone (1) and go as much as 20W.
All of the ports are clearly labeled, and a standout function for the 13-in-1 docking station is that it permits you to drive an 8K monitor. I used the DisplayPort and HDMI ports to attach it to QHD and 4K screens, and there have been no points in getting a dependable connection.
In concept, you may drive three exterior screens by way of the dock, however observe that in the event you do join an 8K monitor, it is going to be restricted to 30Hz. In any other case, the three ports go as much as 4K at 60Hz, and that’s enough for day-to-day use.
The USB-A ports on the again go as much as 5Gbps, whereas the USB-A and USB-C ports positioned on the entrance go to the total 10Gbps. Principally, the 13-in-1 docking station has every thing that you must prolong the ports in your pocket book.
I used it with my Home windows gaming rig — a Gigabyte Z490 Aorus Grasp paired to an Intel Core i9-11900K and an overclocked RTX 3080 — and whereas the motherboard has 10 ports in whole, I at all times want a couple of further for connecting different equipment.
In day by day use, I did not see any points with any of the USB ports or the HDMI connectors, and the SD card reader delivered a constant 120MB/s switch when shifting pictures to my machine. The docking station was rather more helpful with a Geekom Mini IT 11 field, with the USB ports and HDMI connectors making an actual distinction.
UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station: What wants work
The UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station will get quite a bit proper, however there are a couple of foibles. First up is the truth that the DisplayPort connector does not work out of the field; that you must set up software program to make use of the port. This is not a limitation with the dock, however the DisplayPort normal itself, and I used to be capable of set up the requisite software program with out an excessive amount of of a difficulty.
The ability button is positioned in an inconvenient place; I inadvertently pressed the button every time I used to be slotting within the SD card into the dock — its small dimension works to its drawback right here.
As a result of the monitor ports are restricted to 60Hz, the docking station is not supreme in the event you’re trying to make use of it with a gaming monitor with 144Hz or 165Hz refresh. And though the docking station has a design that goes nicely with the latest-gen MacBooks, it does not work with the MacBook Air M2.
However the largest concern is the truth that the 13-in-1 docking station prices $300. That is some huge cash for a dock that does not have Thunderbolt connectivity, and whilst you get an incredible design and a wide variety of ports right here, there are many options that provide you with the same set of ports for much less.
UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station: The competitors
The perfect different to the UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station is Plugable’s USB-C UD-ULTC4K. This docking station has 4 USB-A ports on the again, and also you get three HDMI and DisplayPort ports on the again. It does not do 8K, however you get 4K at 60Hz, and there are two USB-C ports — the one on the again does 100W USB PD, and there is a port on the entrance that hits 20W charging.
You additionally get audio out and in, and an SD card reader. The docking station does not have as elegant a design because the UGREEN providing, however it’s a smidgen extra reasonably priced at $279.
UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You desire a docking station with an incredible number of ports
- You want a single dock to hook up with three exterior screens
- You need front-facing USB-A and USB-C ports
- You want a transportable design
You should not purchase this if:
- You desire a docking station on a funds
- You want a dock to make use of with a gaming monitor
UGREEN nailed the transient with its first docking station, and there’s a lot to love right here. The 13-in-1 docking station has an excellent design and the aluminum chassis is constructed to final, and you will find all of the ports you want. The HDMI and DisplayPort connectors work reliably in day by day use, and I did not have any points with the USB ports — whether or not that is connecting the multitude of equipment I take advantage of or for charging telephones on my desk.
The 100W energy potential makes it stand out simply that little bit extra, significantly contemplating its small profile. The front-facing USB-A and USB-C ports are additionally handy, and briefly, the UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station does every thing you are searching for.
The elegant design mixed with the nice number of ports make it an excellent total choice to contemplate, and the one draw back right here is the fee. You’re paying a premium for the design, but when that is not a difficulty, that is among the many finest docking stations you will discover at present.
UGREEN 13-in-1 docking station
UGREEN’s docking station has all of the ports you want, and also you get the power to attach three exterior screens without delay — going as much as 8K. The smooth design mixed with the 100W charging potential right here make it among the best docking stations round.