The Best Docking Stations for Evo Laptops
Plugable Marketing | August 02, 2024
Evo-certified laptops, including the Dell XPS 13 Plus, HP Spectre, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano, LG Gram 17, and the Acer Swift 3 are as streamlined as they come – ultra-quick, and ultra-portable. Plus, they must meet a stringent set of guidelines or KEIs (key experience indicators) required by Intel. In short, these laptops offer superior performance and are designed to keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle.
So when it’s time to add screens and ports, will just any dock do? In this guide, we’ve rounded up our top docking stations to best suit your new Evo setup.
Best Overall
Let’s not waste any time. What is the best dock for an Evo laptop like the Dell XPS 13? If it’s Evo, it’s got Thunderbolt. And if it has Thunderbolt, start with the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock for 4K Dual Monitors or Single 8K, 100W Laptop Charging.
The TBT4-UD5 has becoming something of a world-beater thanks to its exceptional price and array of 13 ports providing users including Dual 4K HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, and more. Making this dock an even more compelling choice for your workstation is its Intel Engineered for Evo™️Thunderbolt Accessory certification and the dock was recently awarded Best Docking Station by Tom's Guide as part of their 2024 Best of Awards
See everything the TBT4-UD5 has to offer.
- 2x HDMI Ports
- 100W Charging (96W Certified)
- 1x Thunderbolt 4 Port (to host)
- 1x Thunderbolt 4 Port (downstream data)
- 1x USB-C Port (10Gbps)
- 2x USB-A Ports (10Gbps)
- 2x USB-A Ports (5Gbps)
- 1x SD and MicroSD Card Reader
- 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet Port
Buy the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Dock for 4K Dual Monitors or Single 8K, 100W Laptop Charging
List Price: $199.95
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Best Quad Display
If screen real estate is a major factor when setting up your desk, look no further than the Plugable Thunderbolt™ 4 & USB4 Quad Display Docking Station with 98W Charging, it’s the definition of power. With 16 port options, this dock offers everything you could want and more. It can connect four 4K 60Hz screens (2x HDMI, 2x DP) to your Windows laptop which isn’t the norm for most Thunderbolt docks. It also keeps your laptop charged with up to 100W power delivery; two of the USB ports can charge extra devices like your smartphone or tablet. The dock has seven USB ports in total and is also equipped with Ethernet, SD/microSD slots, and audio. Like we said, it’s the definition of power.
See everything the TBT4-UDZ has to offer.
- 2x HDMI Ports
- 2x DisplayPort Ports
- 100W Charging (98W Certified)
- 1x Thunderbolt 4 Port (to host)
- 1x USB-C Port (10Gbps)
- 3x USB-A Ports (10Gbps)
- 2x USB-A Ports (5Gbps)
- 1x USB 2.0 Port (Charging)
- 1x SD and MicroSD Card Reader
- 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet Port (2.5Gbps)
Buy the Plugable Thunderbolt™ 4 Docking Station for 4 Monitor Setup, 100W Laptop Charging
List Price: $269.95
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Practical Performance
Next up is the Plugable Dual 4K Display HDMI or DisplayPort Universal Docking Station. This 10-port dock allows you to expand your workspace, providing up to 4K 60Hz on dual HDMI or DP displays. Whether you’re reading emails, dissecting data, or creating content, this USB dock is designed to maximize your productivity and creativity in the most efficient way possible. The only thing missing from this 4K UHD dock is charging.
Find out more about the UD-6950Z.
- 2x DisplayPort++/HDMI Ports (up to 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz)
- 6x USB-A Ports
- 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet Port
Buy the Plugable Universal Docking Station for Dual 4K Monitors
List Price: $129.95
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Best Thunderbolt Hub
The Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub. It carries the Engineered for Evo-certified badge, and it’s the perfect match for your new Evo laptop. The hub is Thunderbolt 4 certified, built on the Goshen Ridge chipset, provides 60W host charging, and comes with five powerful port options. It also delivers 4K 60Hz on dual USB-C displays, or 8K 30Hz on a single screen. To top it off, you can also daisy-chain up to six additional Thunderbolt devices.
Take a closer look at the specs for the USB4-HUB3A.
- 3x Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Downstream Ports (40Gbps, 15W PD)
- 1x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2) Port (10Gbps)
- 1x Thunderbolt 4 Upstream Port (60W PD)
- Intel Goshen Ridge Chipset
- Thunderbolt 4 Certification
- Includes 2.5ft/80cm Certified Thunderbolt 4 Cable
Buy the Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub
List Price: $129.95
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
Best Traveler
Meet the Plugable USB-C 11-in-1 Hub with Ethernet, an 11-port hub that performs like a docking station. This compact hub features two 4K 60Hz HDMI ports, three USB-A ports, SD and microSD slots, 100W pass-through charging, and a Gigabit Ethernet port in case the Wi-Fi gets spotty. This hub is small but mighty – built with a rugged aluminum casing, it is the perfect travel companion whether you’re jet-setting across the globe or commuting to your hybrid office.
Check out more details on the USBC-11IN1E.
- 1x USB-C Port (5Gbps)
- 3x USB-A Ports
- 2x HDMI Ports
- 100W Charging
- 1x SD and MicroSD Card Reader
- 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet Port
Buy the Plugable USB-C 11-in-1 Hub with Ethernet
List Price: $79.95
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
The Best Cables for the EVO-Certified Laptop
You bought your laptop. You decided on a dock. Now complete your new setup with any of these Plugable cables, designed to work with your EVO-certified laptop or Ultrabook.
Buy the Plugable USB4 240W EPR Cable (3.3ft/1m)
List Price: $25.95
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
Buy the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 240W EPR Cable (3.3ft/1m)
List Price: $31.95
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
Buy the Thunderbolt™ 3 / 4 and USB4 Easy Transfer Cable
List Price: $39.95
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
Buy the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Cable (3.3ft/1m)
List Price: $28.95
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
Buy the Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Cable (6.6ft/2m)
List Price: $59.95
Free 3-Day Shipping on Orders Over $35!
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