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Plugable TBT4-UDZ vs StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock: Comparison
What is the difference between Plugable TBT4-UDZ and StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock?
Expect a near tie. The closest thing to a difference is host power delivery, Plugable TBT4-UDZ 100 W against StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock 96 W. Add total ports to that, 16 on the Plugable TBT4-UDZ versus 11 on the StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock, and the pattern holds.
Who each one is for
Take the Plugable TBT4-UDZ for fully-loaded desk setups needing maximum port count and four-display support across Mac and Windows. It is not the one for simpler setups that don't need 16 ports, a more focused dock may be easier to manage. The StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock suits IT departments standardizing docks across a managed fleet of laptops, though it is not built for 16-inch MacBook Pro users needing full sustained charging headroom. It also earns its place with buyers who want a Kensington lock slot for shared office equipment. Our rating of the Plugable TBT4-UDZ (8/10): the widest port count in our docking station lineup, with four-display support for fully-loaded desks across Mac and Windows. Our rating of the StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock (8/10): A rugged, IT-friendly Thunderbolt 4 dock built for fleet deployment rather than home enthusiasts.
What Plugable TBT4-UDZ and StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock have in common
Everything else lines up. Ethernet, host interface, thunderbolt version, host bandwidth and external psu wattage read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 11 further specifications as well.
Plugable TBT4-UDZ vs StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock price
At the last price check the StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock was $260 and the Plugable TBT4-UDZ $290, a 12% premium.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Plugable TBT4-UDZ and StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock differ on ethernet speed?
Yes. Ethernet Speed reads 2.5GbE on the Plugable TBT4-UDZ versus 1GbE on the StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock.
Is the Bus Powered the same on the Plugable TBT4-UDZ and StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock?
It is. Both are listed at No, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- Plugable
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- StarTech.com
Host Interface
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- Thunderbolt 4
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Thunderbolt 4
Model Number
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- TBT4-UDZ
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- TB4CDOCK
Port Configuration
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 1x TB4 host, 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.2, 3x USB-A 10Gbps, 2x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x USB-A 2.0, 1x USB-C 10Gbps, 2.5GbE, SD + microSD UHS-II, 3.5mm headset jack
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1x TB4 host, 3x TB4 downstream 40Gbps (15W), 3x USB-A 10Gbps, 1x USB-A 2.0 (7.5W), GbE, SD 4.0 UHS-II, 3.5mm TRRS audio
Thunderbolt Version
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 4
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4
Host Bandwidth
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 40 Gbps
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 40 Gbps
Host Cable Length
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 1 m
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 0.8 m
Total Ports
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 16Best
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 11-31%
Host Power Delivery
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 100 W
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 96 W-4%
Ethernet
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- Yes
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
External PSU Wattage
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 135 W
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 135 W
Bus Powered
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- No
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- No
DisplayLink Driver Required
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- No
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- No
Max Displays Windows
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 4
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 2
Max Displays Mac Base
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 1
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1
Max Displays Mac Pro Max
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 2
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 2
Max Single Display Resolution
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 4K
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 8K
Max Single Display Refresh
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 60 Hz
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 30 Hz
Max Dual Display Resolution
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 4K
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4K
Max Dual Display Refresh
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 60 Hz
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 60 Hz
HDMI Port Count
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 2
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 0
HDMI Version
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 2.0
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- None
DisplayPort Port Count
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 2
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 0
DisplayPort Version
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 1.2
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- None
Downstream Thunderbolt Port Count
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 0
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 3
USB-A Port Count
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 6
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 4
USB-C Data Port Count
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 1
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 0
Max USB Data Rate
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 10Gbps
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 10Gbps
Ethernet Speed
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 2.5GbEBest
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 1GbE
SD Card Slot
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- UHS-II
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- UHS-II
Audio Jack Configuration
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- Single Combo
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Single Combo
macOS Supported
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- Yes
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
Windows Supported
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- Yes
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- Yes
Weight
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ
- 646 g
- StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
- 423 gBest
Which one should you pick?
Choose Plugable TBT4-UDZ if you want the higher total ports (16 vs 11) and the higher host power delivery (100 W vs 96 W).
Choose StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Plugable TBT4-UDZ | StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $289.99 View on Amazon | $260.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | 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
Plugable TBT4-UDZ
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The widest port count in our docking station lineup, with four-display support for fully-loaded desks across Mac and Windows.
StarTech.com Thunderbolt 4 Dock
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A rugged, IT-friendly Thunderbolt 4 dock built for fleet deployment rather than home enthusiasts.