All the ports you may think about and then some. Dockcase’s snazzy new 10-in-1 hub improves upon its predecessor with much more ports. In this evaluate, we put it to the take a look at with a plethora of {hardware} to determine how effectively it will possibly match right into a minimalistic work-from-house setup.
Anil Ganti, 👁 Enrico Frahn, Published
While Dockcase is likely to be much less standard than its opponents within the USB hub market, it has launched some spectacular and competitively priced merchandise previously. Today, we’ll have a look at its latest providing, the Dockcase Smart USB-C Hub 10-in-1 Explorer Edition, a brand new variant of its 8-in-1 case. It provides to the already spectacular choice with a DP 1.4 port (8K 30 Hz) and a USB-A port (480 Mbps).
Our take a look at setup features a good TV (4K 120 Hz), an M1 MacBook Air, an historic Dell Inspiron operating Linux Mint Cinnamon, a second good TV (4K 60 Hz), a 1440p 144 Hz LG UltraGear gaming monitor, a TP-Link AC1750 Mbps Wi-Fi router for ethernet assessments, SanDisk USB-C/USB-A pen drive (256 GB) and a Samsung Evo Plus micro SD card. Dockcase claims it additionally works with the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, which we cannot be capable of take a look at because of lack of availability.
Dockcase has caught with its standard clear design with the Smart USB-C Hub 10-in-1 Explorer Edition, full with an Aluminum chassis. At the centre lies a small LED display screen which shows a wealth of details about the units linked, their properties and extra. We’ll discuss extra about its software program chops later within the evaluate.
One has to attach the Smart USB-C Hub 10-in-1 Explorer Edition to a desired system by way of a USB-C port positioned on the left edge. While braided, the included cable is a bit quick; one can work round it utilizing a 3rd-occasion different with the correct energy/throughput score. The foremost USB-C port is positioned by itself on the proper of the dock on the vertical edge. On the entrance, there are two USB-A ports (480 Mbps and 10 Gbps), a ten Gbps USB-C port, and a micro SD card reader. Dockcase has additionally included a tiny vent to maintain thermals in test.
Despite that, the Smart USB-C Hub 10-in-1 Explorer Edition does get somewhat sizzling to the contact throughout operation, one thing an organization consultant insists is regular. The different facet is populated by a USB-C port that may cost units at as much as 100 Watts, an HDMI and a DP port, a USB Type-A port (480 Mbps) and a gigabit Ethernet port. While the spacing between them is enough, there’s a potential for some interference if a barely bigger cable of any type is used.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the silver colourway felt proper at house subsequent to my Space Gray MacBook Air. Personally, I beloved the design because it brings a futuristic vibe to any desk setup. If positioned proper, it will possibly mix proper into the background because it does not have any vibrant lights besides for the show, which, sadly, can’t be switched off.
Onto the precise efficiency, the included HDMI port might output 4K 60 FPS video from my MacBook Air to the 4K 120 Hz Hisense TV with HDR enabled. Higher refresh charges are usually not potential because of limitations with macOS. The included DP port might simply output 1440p 144 Hz video by itself, although. Thankfully, the included Ethernet jack effortlessly hit the rated velocity of 1 Gbps with none hiccups, even with a 4K 120 Hz show linked.
However, connecting a 4K 60 Hz good TV and the aforementioned monitor sends the dock right into a tizzy. The monitor (linked by way of DP port) flickered ceaselessly. Operating the 144 Hz monitor at 60 Hz resolved the scenario. The M1 MacBook Air can assist just one exterior monitor at a time, so there was no chance of utilizing each individually. Unfortunately, my Dell Inspiron’s USB-C port is rated at USB 3.1, which means there was no approach I might drive two shows with it.
The lack of bandwidth may very well be problematic when testing a number of peripherals concurrently. USB ports’ efficiency might degrade with simultaneous exercise, though they appeared to work high quality when linked to an exterior show (decision/framerate however). Refer to the connected photos to get an thought of how totally different storage media (USB Pendrive, micro SD card, exterior laborious disk) function with the dock.
The Dockcase Smart USB-C Hub 10-in-1 might cost my MacBook Air at 39 Watts when linked to the 2 USB-C ports on my PC (one on the Lian-Li O11 Dynamic case, the opposite on an Asrock X570 Taichi motherboard). This seems to be extra of a USB limitation than a fault with the precise dock.
Its 100-watt charging port has some fascinating interactions with the opposite connectors. In one occasion, my MacBook Air refused to output show on one monitor with the charger linked. Dockcase says the dock subtracts 20 Watts from a 60-watt PD charger, whereas a 100-watt PD charger ought to work at high velocity. A generic USB energy meter linked to the circuit confirmed mentioned findings.
The USB-C Hub 10-in-1 Explorer Edition’s UI might sound catchy at first, nevertheless it will get cumbersome to navigate after some extent. There is only one button for navigation, with no indication of learn how to use it. One should depend on a collection of single, double, and lengthy faucets to get round. The lack of a guide explaining how navigation works additional complicates issues.
Lack of person-friendliness apart, the dock gives a wealth of choices for each connector. It permits you to customise the DP/HDMI ports’ sign power, the wattage of the USB-C cable, the USB PD model, and the utmost throughput of the ten Gbps USB-C port. It even exhibits the decision/framerate of each exterior show linked and signifies which peripheral’s connection standing by way of an icon.
Just a few QoL modifications within the navigation might assist make the dock much more palatable to the common person. For starters, a fundamental instruction guide within the packaging can be useful. A second navigation button in a future revision may very well be one approach to go. A touchscreen interface can be ultimate, nevertheless it’ll probably drive up prices and enhance the dock’s total measurement.
Pros
+ Ample selection of ports
+ Plenty of customization choices
+ Works with a variety of units
+ Looks nice and can mix in with any setup
Cons
– Bandwidth restricted because of USB 3.2
– Cumbersome UI navigation
– Features not absolutely defined out of the field
The Smart USB-C Hub 10-in-1 Explorer Edition indubitably stands out from its opponents, of which there are numerous. My foremost concern is the dearth of Thunderbolt or USB 4.0 assist. Additional bandwidth will put the dock proper up there with excessive-finish choices from Anker, Belkin and others. However, it is not essentially unhealthy, because it helps save on prices whereas delivering most, if not all, options provided by the considerably costlier docks.
As somebody who has dabbled with a couple of exterior docks for my MacBook Air, I discovered Dockcase’s answer to be essentially the most complete. It single-handedly undid all of Apple’s port butchery and regarded nice within the course of. While it is not an ideal product, the corporate has loads of time to iron out the kinks earlier than its full-scale launch later this yr.
Price and Availability
One should purchase the hub for a reduced worth of US$119 for the Glossy Silver model (the one being reviewed proper now) and US$129 for the Matte Black model by way of the Kickstarter marketing campaign, which ends in 5 days. After that, it would retail for US$160, which is not precisely low cost however a worthy funding for somebody constructing a minimalistic work-from-house setup.
Transparency
The current evaluate pattern was made accessible to the writer as a mortgage by the producer or a store for the needs of evaluate. The lender had no affect on this evaluate, nor did the producer obtain a replica of this evaluate earlier than publication. There was no obligation to publish this evaluate.
Anil Ganti – Senior Tech Writer – 1463 articles revealed on Notebookcheck since 2019
I’ve been an avid PC gamer because the age of 8. My ardour for gaming finally pushed me in direction of common tech, and I acquired my first writing gig on the age of 19. I’ve a level in mechanical engineering and have labored within the manufacturing trade and a couple of different publications like Wccftech earlier than becoming a member of Notebookcheck in November 2019. I cowl quite a lot of matters together with smartphones, gaming, and pc {hardware}.
Anil Ganti, 2023-08-29 (Update: 2023-08-29)
…. to be continued
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