Hardware Compatibility Notes
USB-C is a new standard with much versatility. As a result, compatibility information is complex. Some USB-C systems support Alt Mode video output, while others do not. Some can be powered and charged through USB PD, while others do not. It is very important to check the compatibility of your device before purchase.
In the "Technical Specification" section of this Amazon product page is a "Specification Sheet" PDF that contains detailed compatibility notes for a variety of laptops, tablets, 2-in-1s, motherboards, and mobile devices that is updated regularly.
DisplayPort Adapters
Conversion to HDMI, single link DVI, and VGA is possible using the following adapters (not included with dock)
- DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0: Plugable DP-HDMI Active Adapter (maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz)
- DisplayPort to HDMI 1.4: Plugable DPM-HDMIF Passive Adapter (maximum resolution of 4K 30Hz)
- DisplayPort to DVI: Plugable DPM-DVIF Passive Adapter
- DisplayPort to VGA: Plugable DPM-VGAF Passive Adapter
In the Box
- 1x Plugable 4K Triple Display USB-C Docking Station (UD-ULTC4K) With Vertical Stand
- 1x 1m USB-C to USB-C Cable With eMarker
- 1x 100W (20V 5A) Power Supply (100V-240V) With US Power Plug (UL 60950-1 Listed)
- 1x Quick Start Guide
Port Features, Limitations, Notes, and Terminology
Alternate Mode (Alt Mode) is a new feature introduced with USB 3.1, allowing USB cables to carry video signals directly from a device over a USB cable. Alt Mode video comes directly from the graphics card or integrated graphics processor on a device, meaning outputs from an Alt Mode video port have the full graphics acceleration of your system.
HDMI 1.4 allows for a maximum output resolution of 4K 30Hz (3840x2160 @ 30Hz). Lower resolutions such as 1920x1200, and 1920x1080 (1080p) are supported at 60Hz. The HDMI 1.4 connection on this dock is provided by converting DisplayPort Alt Mode to HDMI 1.4.
DisplayPort 1.2 allows for a maximum output resolution of 4K 60Hz (3840x2160 @ 60Hz). These ports are Dual-Mode (DP++), allowing the use of simpler and less expensive adapters to convert the DisplayPort outputs to other display types, like HDMI and DVI. However, as a limitation of DisplayLink technology used to provide these video ports, multi-stream transport (MST) is not supported and conversion to dual link DVI is not supported.
DisplayLink is a technology that allows compressed data of various types to be sent over USB data connections. The DisplayLink DL-6950 chipset in this docking station connects all the data and video connections, other than the HDMI 1.4 connection, on this dock.
There are a few important limitations of DisplayLink technology. DisplayLink uses a proprietary compressed video stream that is partially generated by both your computer's CPU and GPU, and is a "virtual" video adapter. Because the video is compressed and packetized as data, then reassembled by the DisplayLink chip, the pacing of new frames of video can be inconsistent, particularly if large portions of the content being sent through DisplayLink is changing (such as with video playback).
Because of how DisplayLink provides video, video outputs provided by DisplayLink technology should only be used to display content like office applications and web browser windows, not games or video content.
HDCP is not supported, this means protected content such as Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube Premium, Hulu, Blu-ray videos, and other protected content, either may not work or will play at a lower resolution, depending on the content provider.
Some USB-C ports on PCs and Macs are labelled as Thunderbolt 3 ports. Thunderbolt 3 ports are USB-C ports with additional functionality that are also compatible with this docking station.
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a standard introduced with USB-C that provides enough power for many mobile devices and laptops. This dock is able to supply up to 60W of power to a host. Some laptops may require more power than this. The Dell XPS 15 9550/9560 and Precision 5510/7510, for example, will display a warning during boot if connected to a 60W power adapter, rather than a Dell 130W power adapter. These systems may still charge, but at a slower rate.
