{ "schema_version": "1.1.0", "data_version": "2026-09-16.5", "canonical_url": "https://setupmeld.com/guides/docking-station-laptop-compatibility/", "license": { "id": "CC-BY-4.0", "name": "Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International", "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" }, "fields": [ { "name": "host_support", "label": "Host support" }, { "name": "display_capability", "label": "Display capability" }, { "name": "display_interfaces", "label": "Display interfaces" }, { "name": "switching_method", "label": "Switching method" }, { "name": "keyboard_mouse_channel", "label": "Keyboard / mouse channel" }, { "name": "peripheral_usb_capability", "label": "Peripheral USB capability" }, { "name": "clamshell_support", "label": "Clamshell support" }, { "name": "power_delivery", "label": "Power Delivery" }, { "name": "known_non_working_combinations", "label": "Known non-working combinations" }, { "name": "official_support_evidence", "label": "Official Support Evidence" }, { "name": "public_user_report", "label": "Public User Report" } ], "rows": [ { "model": "AV Access iDock C20", "host_support": "2 full-featured USB-C laptop inputs; Windows uses DP MST; macOS is supported but not for dual independent MST desktops.", "display_capability": "Windows: 2 × 4K @ 60Hz. macOS: two outputs can light but mirror rather than extend independently.", "display_interfaces": "2 × HDMI outputs.", "switching_method": "Panel button; wired remote switch button supported.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "Shared keyboard/mouse through USB; directly paired Bluetooth input does not automatically follow KVM switching.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "2 × USB 3.0 5Gbps; 4 × USB 2.0 480Mbps; 1 × USB-C data 5Gbps.", "clamshell_support": "Yes; AV Access explicitly lists clamshell support.", "power_delivery": "60W USB-C charging per connected laptop; both hosts remain powered.", "known_non_working_combinations": "macOS cannot create two independent extended displays through the C20 MST path; the two monitors also cannot be split one-per-host while USB peripherals are shared.", "official_support_evidence": "AV Access troubleshooting says MacBook dual displays through this MST path are mirrored rather than independently extended. It also says a 4K display falling to 1080p can depend on the laptop's simultaneous video-stream capability and the monitor port, and recommends lowering resolution/refresh rate when video fails. Source", "public_user_report": "Two independent qualifying reports document configuration-specific iDock C20 behavior: one reports recurring flicker/artifact and signal dropout across Lenovo Legion S7 15ACH6 and Dell Latitude 5490 paths; the other reports a Dell Latitude 5440 limited to dual 1440p60 while the same dock reaches dual 4K60 on another host. Because the conclusions differ, evidence strength is single, not corroborated." }, { "model": "ASUS ProArt PA278CGRV", "host_support": "USB-C host connection carries DisplayPort video and data; HDMI and DisplayPort inputs are also available.", "display_capability": "Built-in panel: 1 × 2560 × 1440 @ up to 144Hz; DisplayPort daisy-chain output is supported, with downstream ceiling host-dependent.", "display_interfaces": "HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 DSC input/output, USB-C with DisplayPort support.", "switching_method": "Built-in Auto KVM.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "Keyboard and mouse share through the built-in USB hub when using KVM.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "Built-in USB 3.2 hub.", "clamshell_support": "未核到", "power_delivery": "USB-C Power Delivery up to 96W.", "known_non_working_combinations": "未核到", "official_support_evidence": "ASUS's product FAQ requires one KVM host to use USB-C with DP Alt Mode; a second host using HDMI or DisplayPort also needs a separate USB upstream cable for keyboard/mouse switching. A video-only second-host cable is therefore not enough for KVM control. Source", "public_user_report": "未核到" }, { "model": "StarTech.com 129N-USBC-KVM-DOCK", "host_support": "2 USB-C computers; DisplayLink-certified for Windows, macOS and ChromeOS.", "display_capability": "2 × 4K @ 60Hz external displays, including extended dual displays on base Apple M-series MacBooks through DisplayLink.", "display_interfaces": "2 × DisplayPort outputs.", "switching_method": "Push button; downloadable hot-key software for Windows and macOS.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "2 × dedicated USB-A USB 2.0 HID ports.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "2 × USB-A + 1 × USB-C at USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps, plus HID USB at 480Mbps.", "clamshell_support": "未核到", "power_delivery": "USB PD 3.0: 90W to active host and 45W to second host; both charge simultaneously.", "known_non_working_combinations": "未核到", "official_support_evidence": "StarTech's DisplayLink support FAQ and public community reply state that macOS requires DisplayLink Manager plus Screen Recording/accessibility permissions; disabling the permission can make DisplayLink-driven displays disappear. The community case did not confirm 129N and is retained only as general DisplayLink support evidence. Sources", "public_user_report": "Two independent exact-model reports support the specific conclusion that 129N USB/peripheral connectivity can be lost on Apple Silicon Mac paths; one case also reports simultaneous dual-4K blackout. The older MacBook Pro M3 Screen Recording topic did not identify 129N and no longer counts as model evidence. Do not generalize these reports into a universal 129N defect." }, { "model": "Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4", "host_support": "Thunderbolt hosts and USB-C hosts with DisplayPort Alt Mode; Dell lists Windows 10/11, Ubuntu 20.04+ and ChromeOS M107+.", "display_capability": "2 × 4K @ 60Hz on qualifying Thunderbolt/HBR3/DSC combinations; up to four external displays under specific bandwidth/topology conditions.", "display_interfaces": "2 × DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, MFDP USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 USB-C display paths.", "switching_method": "Not a KVM; single-host dock, so switching hosts requires reconnecting upstream or a separate switching layer.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "Standard USB device path; no dedicated KVM keyboard/mouse channel listed.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "3 × USB-A USB 3.2 Gen 1; USB-C Gen 2 data plus Thunderbolt 4 ports on compatible hosts.", "clamshell_support": "未核到", "power_delivery": "Up to 130W to supported Dell systems or 90W to non-Dell systems with the 180W adapter.", "known_non_working_combinations": "Rear HDMI and MFDP USB-C video paths are muxed and cannot both be used as simultaneous video outputs; non-Thunderbolt hosts lose Thunderbolt features.", "official_support_evidence": "Dell troubleshooting says monitor count and resolution depend on the host graphics path; with Intel graphics plus the system LCD, only two displays may be supported, while discrete Nvidia/AMD configurations can support three external displays plus the system LCD. Dell also recommends a dock power-cycle sequence for flicker or USB failures. Source", "public_user_report": "Two independent WD22TB4 reports support the specific conclusion that, in dual-4K setups, reconnect or connection order can change negotiated bandwidth, refresh, and resolution, including 4K60 to 4K30. This is a configuration-sensitive user-reported pattern, not a universal WD22TB4 defect." }, { "model": "CalDigit TS4", "host_support": "Thunderbolt 4/3, USB4 and USB-C computers; official minimums include macOS 11.4+ and Windows 10 20H2+.", "display_capability": "Windows / Intel Mac / ChromeOS: up to 2 × 4K @ 60Hz. M1 Pro/Max: up to 2 × 6K @ 60Hz. Original M1: one external display through Thunderbolt.", "display_interfaces": "DisplayPort 1.4 plus downstream Thunderbolt 4/USB4 display paths.", "switching_method": "Not a KVM; single-host dock with no host-switch control listed.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "Standard USB path; no dedicated KVM keyboard/mouse channel listed.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "5 × USB-A 10Gbps and 3 × USB-C 10Gbps, plus Thunderbolt 4 ports.", "clamshell_support": "未核到", "power_delivery": "Up to 98W host charging.", "known_non_working_combinations": "Original M1 Macs do not support dual external displays through TS4; USB-C hosts have reduced functionality and 2.5Gb Ethernet is Thunderbolt-host dependent.", "official_support_evidence": "CalDigit's TS4 support knowledge base documents shared bandwidth groups: many USB ports share the same 10Gbps USB hub, while DisplayPort and downstream Thunderbolt ports share the same 40Gbps Thunderbolt bandwidth. High-bandwidth peripherals therefore compete within those groups rather than receiving dedicated bandwidth. Source", "public_user_report": "One qualifying report documents a successful M3 MacBook Air plus two Samsung M7 4K60 configuration. Two independent high-bandwidth dual-display reports support the narrower conclusion that DSC, Thunderbolt lanes, adapter path, and refresh rate affect the result." }, { "model": "Plugable UD-6950PDZ", "host_support": "USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB4 or Thunderbolt; Windows 10/11, macOS 11+ and ChromeOS 100+. Full display capability uses DisplayLink software.", "display_capability": "Up to 3 × 4K @ 60Hz with a DP 1.4 host path; Display 2 and 3 use DisplayLink at up to 4K @ 60Hz each. DP 1.2 can limit Display 1 to 4K @ 30Hz.", "display_interfaces": "3 HDMI/DisplayPort output pairs; choose one connector from each display pair.", "switching_method": "Not a KVM; single-host dock with no host-switch control listed.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "Standard USB path; no dedicated KVM keyboard/mouse channel listed.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "6 × USB-A USB 3.0 / 5Gbps.", "clamshell_support": "未核到", "power_delivery": "Current hardware revision: up to 100W USB-C PD; older units with the same model number may be the earlier 60W revision.", "known_non_working_combinations": "Plugable does not recommend this DisplayLink dock for Linux, gaming or graphics-heavy work; Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 is listed as a currently incompatible/limited host combination.", "official_support_evidence": "Plugable's official product/support page lists the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 (21FA) as an incompatible or limited host: rear TB4 ports expose USB data but not Display 1, while the left USB-C port exposes Display 1 but not USB device connectivity. The unlinked phrase 'some users report' is official support guidance, not a traceable public user report. Source", "public_user_report": "Three independent qualifying reports cover different conclusions: a successful HP ZBook 14u G6 three-display split across DP Alt Mode and DisplayLink, an MSI GE76 second-display failure, and a 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro disconnect case resolved after Plugable's full reset and original USB cable guidance, followed by three stable days and a solved/locked thread. Different conclusions mean single, not corroborated." }, { "model": "Anker 778 Thunderbolt Docking Station (A83A9)", "host_support": "Requires Thunderbolt 4. Anker lists M1 Pro/Max support and excludes base M1/M2 MacBooks and ASUS laptops with AMD CPUs.", "display_capability": "Windows supports 2 × 4K @ 60Hz and additional higher-count combinations subject to host limits; macOS topology depends on the Mac chip.", "display_interfaces": "1 × HDMI 2.1, 2 × DisplayPort and a downstream Thunderbolt display path.", "switching_method": "Not a KVM; single-host dock with no host-switch control listed.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "Standard USB path; no dedicated KVM keyboard/mouse channel listed.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "2 × USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps; 2 × USB-A 2.0 480Mbps; 2 × USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps.", "clamshell_support": "未核到", "power_delivery": "USB PD 3.0 up to 100W; when both 30W USB-C charging ports are used, Anker states laptop output can fall to 65W.", "known_non_working_combinations": "Not compatible with base M1/M2 MacBooks or ASUS laptops using AMD CPUs.", "official_support_evidence": "Anker's exact-model FAQ says the host must support Thunderbolt 4, the dock is not compatible with base M1/M2 MacBooks, and laptop charging can fall from the advertised 100W maximum to 65W when both 30W USB-C charging ports are used. Source", "public_user_report": "Two independent qualifying Apple Silicon Mac reports support intermittent external-display blackout or flicker with Anker 778: an M1 Pro case across HDMI and DisplayPort paths, and an M2 Max / Sequoia 15.1 case with a dual-display Thunderbolt topology. Preserve OS, output path, display count, and host-chip variables." }, { "model": "UGREEN Revodok Max 213", "host_support": "Thunderbolt 4/3, USB4 and full-function USB-C hosts; Windows 10+ and macOS 11.4+ are listed, with reduced display capability on some hosts.", "display_capability": "Windows and supported Intel/Pro/Max Macs: up to 2 × 4K @ 60Hz. Base M1/M2/M3 Macs: 1 × 4K @ 60Hz. Full-function USB-C: one display.", "display_interfaces": "DisplayPort 1.4 plus 2 × downstream Thunderbolt 4 display-capable ports.", "switching_method": "Not a KVM; single-host dock with no host-switch control listed.", "keyboard_mouse_channel": "Standard USB path; no dedicated KVM keyboard/mouse channel listed.", "peripheral_usb_capability": "1 × USB-C 10Gbps; 2 × USB-A 10Gbps; 2 × USB-A 5Gbps, plus Thunderbolt 4 data ports.", "clamshell_support": "未核到", "power_delivery": "Up to 90W laptop charging from the included 180W power supply.", "known_non_working_combinations": "Full-function USB-C hosts support only one display; UGREEN also lists the 2018 Intel Mac mini as incompatible.", "official_support_evidence": "UGREEN's exact-model compatibility notes say full-function USB-C hosts support only one external display, base M1/M2/M3 Macs support a single 4K@60Hz display, Intel Mac mini 2018 is not compatible, and the dock must be connected to power to function. Source", "public_user_report": "Three independent reports cover different conclusions: host-port A/B behavior; SSD and 4K-display Thunderbolt bandwidth sharing; and direct-vs-dock exclusionary evidence that removes the dock as the cause of a Surface Laptop 7 4K30 result. Reported 1440p180 is a user-reported observation only; official DisplayResolutionMax remains 8K@30 / 4K@120 / 2K@144 and the main table is unchanged." } ] }