Cable Matters offers its version of a dual monitor UBS-C dock as the latest entry into a growing field of docks designed to bring together all the devices you use to power your office. Here’s how the Cable Matters Dual Monitor USB-C Dock with Dual 4K HDMI and 80W Laptop Charging worked for me.
About Cable Matters
Headquartered in Massachusetts, Cable Matters has been developing and engineering its own tech products in-house for 10 years, producing nearly 1,500 different tech products for industries like enterprises, education, government, aerospace, and medical.
Features
The Cable Matters USB-C Dock is a single USB-C cable docking solution made to connect a Windows laptop with a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 port along with instant connectivity for two HDMI monitors, an Ethernet network, two SD cards, one USB-C device, five USB-A devices, and two audio jacks for mic and headphones.
The docking solution also supports MAC address pass-through through the EZ-Dock utility software, which can be downloaded from the Cable Matters website. It works for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air with Retina Display, iMac, and Mac Mini.
Further Functionality
There is extensive functionality through all the available 12 ports. Here’s what it offers in greater detail:
- The MicroSD & UHS-II SD Card Reader transfers files from an SD card as well as reads and writes to both cards simultaneously.
- Audio ports enable you to connect a microphone, add an external speaker, and plug in a gaming headset that has a microphone.
- It has 10Gbps USB-C & USB-A for fast charging and power delivery.
- There is also a dual 4k HDMI video.
- The docking solution has USB 2.0 ports for keyboard, mouse, and printers as well as USB 3.0 ports for a flash drive and a hard drive.
- Power and configuration switches include HD or 4K features, the ability to switch from HD to 4K as needed, and a power-saving On/Off switch. A 4K or HD switch gives you the choice to connect dual 4K displays with USB 2.0 or dual 1080p displays with USB 3.1.
What Works and What Could Be Better
This dock solves connectivity issues, especially when you work with multiple laptops, monitors, and other peripherals. At the same time, all the devices are getting charged. Not only does the docking station add convenience, but it also removes so many unsightly cables from the desk area.
Another thing that works with this dock is that I didn’t see any significant drops in data speeds when reading or writing large files through an SD card or external drive.
It can be placed horizontally or vertically on your desk. This means it is easy to fit virtually anywhere without changing any of its functionality or limiting placement.
While it’s compatible with Windows 10 and Linux, the macOS only supports one external display. However, this is more of a shortfall with the Mac versus the docking station. Since the dual monitor compatibility must be supported by the host computer, this feature only works with Windows computers.
On a few occasions, the dock will not recognize one or more of the monitors that I have connected. When this happens, the dock goes back into a single monitor mode, which can be annoying. However, it soon is back on track with both monitors. I did reach out to customer service and they offered to replace it, so I took them up on the free return/exchange policy and now have a new one that hasn’t stopped recognizing my monitors.
One limitation to note is that the gigabit ethernet and UHS-II card reader speed is limited to 480Mbps when switched to 4K mode.
Purchase Options
You can purchase this and other Cable Matter products from their website. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart also carry the dock.
This USB-C dual monitor dock costs $215. If you buy two to nine docs from Cable Matters, then the price drops to $210 each. If you buy ten or more, the price drops to $187 each when purchased through the Cable Matters online store.
Overall Thoughts
The Cable Matters docking station is a reasonably-priced docking station that works well and offers good functionality. I would recommend it more for both Windows and Mac users.
