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Dell Universal Dock UD22 vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2: Comparison
Dell Universal Dock UD22 vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2 host power delivery compared
Start with host power delivery, because it is the widest measured gap between them: Dell Universal Dock UD22 96 W against Microsoft Surface Dock 2 120 W, 20% in favour of Microsoft Surface Dock 2. Total ports runs the same way, 10 on the Dell Universal Dock UD22 versus 7 on the Microsoft Surface Dock 2, another win for Dell Universal Dock UD22.
Dell Universal Dock UD22 vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2: which one fits your build
The Dell Universal Dock UD22 suits mixed-vendor offices running Dell, Mac, and Chromebook laptops and triple-monitor productivity setups without needing Thunderbolt, though it is the wrong buy for users who specifically want Thunderbolt-level bandwidth and single-display minimalist desk setups, since it's overbuilt for that. The Microsoft Surface Dock 2 is the one to take for Surface Pro and Surface Laptop fleets in Windows-only offices and desk setups that value the fast magnetic snap-on connection, though it is not the pick for Mac or Linux users and buyers who want more than two simultaneous external displays. It is equally the pick for IT admins who want a single-SKU dock across a Surface deployment. It is not the one for any non-Surface laptop, since it has no generic USB-C or Thunderbolt host port. Our rating of the Dell Universal Dock UD22 (7/10): the pragmatic choice for offices mixing Dell, Mac, and Chromebook hardware on one dock standard.
What Dell Universal Dock UD22 and Microsoft Surface Dock 2 have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: ethernet, ethernet speed, thunderbolt version, host cable length and bus powered are identical here. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Dell Universal Dock UD22 and Microsoft Surface Dock 2 differ on connection type?
Yes. Connection Type reads USB-C on the Dell Universal Dock UD22 versus Surface Connect on the Microsoft Surface Dock 2.
Is the Max Dual Display Resolution the same on the Dell Universal Dock UD22 and Microsoft Surface Dock 2?
It is. Both are listed at 4K, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Dell
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Microsoft
Connection Type
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2, DP 1.4 Alt Mode, non-Thunderbolt)
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Surface Connect
Model Number
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Universal Dock UD22
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Surface Dock 2
Port Configuration
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 1x USB-C upstream, 4x USB-A 10Gbps, 2x USB-C 10Gbps (one with DP 1.4 Alt Mode), 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.2, 1x GbE
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 1x Surface Connect host cable, 2x front USB-C 10Gbps (15W), 2x rear USB-C 10Gbps with DP 1.4 Alt Mode, 2x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x GbE, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
Thunderbolt Version
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- None
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- None
Max Display Support
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Quad 4K@60Hz (with DisplayLink driver); dual 4K@60Hz native
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Dual 4K
Max Display Resolution
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 5K@60Hz single (DSC); 4K@60Hz multi-display
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Dual 4K@60Hz
Host Cable Length
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 0.8 m
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 0.8 m
Total Ports
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 10Best
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 7-30%
Host Power Delivery
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 96 W-20%
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 120 W
Ethernet
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Yes
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Yes
External PSU Wattage
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 130 W
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 199 WBest
Bus Powered
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- No
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- No
Video Path
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Native Plus DisplayLink
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- DisplayPort Alt Mode
Max Displays Windows
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 4
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 2
Max Dual Display Resolution
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 4K
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 4K
Max Dual Display Refresh
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 60 Hz
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 60 Hz
DisplayPort Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 2
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 0
USB-C Video Output Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 1
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 2
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 0
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 0
USB-A Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 4
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 2
USB-C Data Port Count
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 2
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 4
Max USB Data Rate
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 10Gbps
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 10Gbps
Ethernet Speed
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- 1GbE
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- 1GbE
Security Lock Slot
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Yes
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Yes
Windows Supported
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Yes
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Yes
OS Compatibility
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- Windows 10/11, macOS 12.2.1+, ChromeOS R100+, Ubuntu 20.04+
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- Windows (Surface devices)
Price
- Dell Universal Dock UD22
- ~$220
- Microsoft Surface Dock 2
- ~$220
Which one should you pick?
Choose Dell Universal Dock UD22 if you want the higher total ports (10 vs 7).
Choose Microsoft Surface Dock 2 if you want the higher host power delivery (120 W vs 96 W).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Dell Universal Dock UD22 | Microsoft Surface Dock 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $220.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | $220.00 View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Dell Universal Dock UD22
7 / 10 Expert Rating
The pragmatic choice for offices mixing Dell, Mac, and Chromebook hardware on one dock standard.
Microsoft Surface Dock 2
7 / 10 Expert Rating
The right dock only if your fleet is already standardized on Surface hardware.