Startech 199UE-USBC-DOCK Evaluate – Driverless DisplayPort MST USB-C Docking Station Supporting Triple 4K Shows

I’ve been impressed with the final couple of docks from Startech. Again in December, I reviewed the Startech 140W Common Triple Monitor Docking Station, which has DisplayLink, permitting you to make use of three exterior displays even when the CPU in your laptop computer doesn’t.

Then the Startech Thunderbolt 5 Common Docking Station is among the most inexpensive Thunderbolt 5 docks available on the market.

I’ve continued to make use of each of those myself. The TB5 dock is in my house workplace, and the DisplayLink dock is at work.

Startech doesn’t do easy-to-quotable product names, and the brand new dock I’m reviewing right this moment has the product ID of 199UE-USBC-DOCK. This can be a extra inexpensive docking station that helps 4K shows and options DisplayPort MST.

What’s DisplayPort MST?

Multi-Stream Transport (MST) permits a number of shows to be related to a single DisplayPort output on a desktop PC or laptop computer. It does this by combining a number of video alerts right into a single stream by means of a course of often called multiplexing, then sending that stream over a DisplayPort cable to a tool that unbundles the sign.

The unbundling half may be carried out on an MST-capable monitor or, on this case, a hub. It’s price noting that whereas Startech has put some emphasis on this being an MST hub, that is really how most USB-C docks deal with multi-monitor output. The choice approaches are DisplayLink or Thunderbolt native outputs, each of which work in another way.

DisplayLink makes use of compression and a devoted chip to render video, which implies it really works even on laptops that don’t natively help a number of exterior shows. MST, in contrast, depends on the host laptop computer’s GPU to drive all related screens, which implies the laptop computer itself should help the required variety of exterior shows. That is a crucial distinction, and one which catches folks out.

It is usually price understanding the bandwidth implications. DisplayPort 1.4 – which is what most USB 3.2 Gen 2 docks like this one use – helps as much as 32.4 Gbps of whole bandwidth. Operating three 4K shows at 60Hz every would require much more bandwidth than that, which is why this dock can solely ship two at 60Hz with the third restricted to 30Hz. When you want all three at 60Hz, you would wish a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 dock, or a DisplayLink resolution.

Specification

The chipset checklist is price a better look. Startech has used a mixture of chips to deal with the varied capabilities: the VL822 manages the USB hub, the RTL8153E handles Gigabit Ethernet, and the VMM5320 is the MST hub controller accountable for splitting the video sign throughout a number of outputs. This can be a fairly well-regarded mixture of silicon, and using separate devoted chips for every perform – somewhat than an all-in-one resolution – tends to end in extra dependable efficiency.

Design / Ports

The general design may be very Startech; it is rather utilitarian. The dock is a flat, rectangular slab measuring 190 x 79 x 27 mm and weighing simply 0.3 kg, so it sits neatly on a desk with out taking over a lot area. There aren’t any RGB accents, no shiny surfaces, and no styling thrives. If you’re shopping for this for a house workplace and wish one thing that appears the half, you’ll possible be underwhelmed. If you’re deploying it in a company surroundings, that understated look is strictly what you need.

The one noteworthy design element is the USB-C cable, which is screw-locked to the dock to forestall it from being knocked free. This can be a sensible characteristic that’s extra frequent on enterprise-grade merchandise than client docks, and it’s a smart inclusion right here given the goal market.

On the entrance you’ve gotten two 5Gbps USB-A ports and two 10Gbps USB-C ports, one in all which outputs as much as 15W to cost smaller gadgets. On the rear, you’ve gotten the DC port for the ability provide, then the host USB-C port, which might present as much as 100W of energy supply to your laptop computer, adopted by two DisplayPort outputs and an HDMI port on your displays. There are then two extra 5Gbps USB-A ports and a 1Gbps RJ45 port.

On the aspect of the dock there are additionally three safety slots supporting Kensington Normal (Ok-Slot), Kensington Nano, and Noble Wedge. Having all three requirements lined is a pleasant contact, and speaks to Startech’s give attention to IT departments and managed deployments somewhat than particular person shoppers.

One absence price flagging is a 3.5mm audio jack. Many competing docks at this value level embrace one, and should you use wired headphones or a headset at your desk, you’ll need a separate USB audio adapter. For a dock geared toward workplace use, that could be a irritating omission.

Show Output / Assist

This hub formally helps three 4K shows by means of a single USB-C port, utilizing uncompressed video powered by your laptop computer’s native GPU. The 2 DisplayPort outputs can every run at as much as 4096 x 2160 at 60Hz, whereas the HDMI output is proscribed to 4096 x 2160 at 30Hz. In observe, most content material is consumed at 3840 x 2160 (UHD 4K) somewhat than the utmost DCI 4K decision, however it’s good to know the {hardware} ceiling.

My work laptop computer, the Dell Professional 16 Plus (PB16250), solely helps two exterior shows, and there was no workaround for this with this hub. That’s not a fault of the dock – it’s a limitation of the laptop computer’s GPU and driver stack – however it does underline the important thing distinction between MST and DisplayLink. With DisplayLink, that very same laptop computer would fortunately drive three exterior screens. With MST, it can not. Because of this I stay a fan of DisplayLink for work environments the place laptops are continuously changed and GPU capabilities range.

I then switched to the Honor MagicBook Professional, which has an Intel Core Extremely 9-285H. That CPU helps three exterior shows natively, and this dock labored wonderful with it. The three shows appeared instantly on connecting the USB-C cable, with no driver set up required. The driverless operation is a real benefit in managed IT environments, the place putting in further software program requires approval or might battle with current configurations.

I initially examined the dock in my house setup, the place I exploit the Samsung C49RG90 49-inch Tremendous Ultrawide Monitor, operating at 5120 x 1440. It most likely comes as no shock that I bumped into points there. I couldn’t get it to run at its native 5120 x 1440 decision. The very best I may obtain was 3840 x 1080, and even that felt prefer it was pushing the bandwidth limits of the connection. Ultrawide and super-ultrawide resolutions usually are not formally supported, and the outcomes replicate that.

Swapping the Samsung out for the standard 4K moveable monitor, I used to be capable of get three exterior 4K shows operating with out problem. In case your setup makes use of standard 4K displays, the dock delivers on its acknowledged specification with none apparent issues.

It is usually price noting the system necessities listed by Startech. MST should be supported by the host laptop computer for multi-display operation. In case your laptop computer doesn’t help MST over USB-C, the dock will nonetheless work, however all related shows will mirror somewhat than prolong. Home windows 10 and 11 are formally supported, together with Ubuntu 24.04 and above. There isn’t a macOS help, which is typical for MST-based docks – Apple doesn’t help DisplayPort MST on its silicon.

Port Efficiency

The host connection runs at USB 3.2 Gen 2, which offers 10Gbps of bandwidth shared throughout all related gadgets and the show outputs. In observe, which means you’ll not saturate the connection except you’re concurrently transferring giant information and operating three 4K shows without delay, however it’s price being conscious of the shared bandwidth structure.

The 4 USB-A ports on the rear and entrance are cut up into two velocity tiers. The 2 front-panel ports and two rear ports all function at USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps). If you’re connecting an exterior SSD, it would be best to use one of many two USB-C ports as a substitute, which run at 10Gbps and supply noticeably quicker switch speeds. In testing, a Samsung T7 SSD related to the USB-C port delivered sequential learn speeds of round 950 MB/s, which is near its rated most. Via the USB-A ports, that very same drive was restricted to round 400 MB/s – as anticipated given the 5Gbps ceiling.

The USB-C port with 15W charging output is ok for holding a cellphone or small system topped up, however it’s not quick sufficient for a pill underneath load or a bigger system. The 100W energy supply by means of the host port is extra helpful, and in testing it saved a laptop computer operating comfortably with out drawing from its battery throughout reasonable workloads.

The Gigabit Ethernet port, pushed by the Realtek RTL8153E chip, carried out as anticipated. In testing on my house community, which runs on a UniFi setup with a 2500Mbps CityFibre connection by means of Aquiss, I noticed throughput of round 940 Mbps in each instructions – successfully saturating the Gigabit port. Wake-on-LAN and PXE Boot are each supported, which provides to the attraction for IT deployment eventualities. If you’re managing a fleet of machines and must push OS photos remotely or wake machines outdoors of enterprise hours, these are helpful options to have confirmed.

There isn’t a audio output on this dock, which is price repeating right here. When you join a USB headset, it’s going to work by means of one of many USB-A ports with out problem, however there isn’t any analogue audio jack. For an workplace dock at this value, that looks like a deliberate price discount somewhat than an oversight.

Compatibility and MST Limitations

Understanding the compatibility necessities earlier than shopping for this dock is necessary. MST-based docks usually are not universally appropriate in the best way that DisplayLink merchandise are. The laptop computer should help DisplayPort Alternate Mode over USB-C and should have a GPU able to driving the variety of exterior shows you propose to attach.

Intel-based laptops from the previous few years usually deal with this nicely. Most laptops operating Intel Core Extremely processors help three or extra exterior shows. AMD-based laptops are extra variable – some Ryzen platforms restrict you to 2 exterior shows whatever the dock. Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus methods help MST, however compatibility may be inconsistent relying on the driving force model. Startech formally lists Home windows 10, 11, and 11 ARM as supported, which covers the Snapdragon platform, although testing with ARM gadgets is really helpful earlier than committing to a big deployment.

Apple Silicon Macs don’t help DisplayPort MST and won’t work with this dock in multi-display mode. When you have a blended Mac and Home windows surroundings, this dock shouldn’t be the fitting alternative.

Value and Various Choices

The Startech 199UE-USBC-DOCK has an RRP of £153.59 through Startech straight and is offered on Amazon for £115.

Startech has additionally not too long ago launched the 208UE-USB4-DOCK, which is a USB4 dock with 2.5GbE networking. That one solely helps twin 4K at 144Hz or single 8K at 60Hz, so it serves a distinct use case. It’s out there for £155.

The Ugreen CM843 14-in-1 dock is a driverless USB-C dock with an identical general specification that’s out there for £100 (£130 RRP). There may be additionally the Anker Nano Laptop computer Docking Station, which helps triple shows, additionally priced at £100 (£130 RRP).

Each the Ugreen and Anker choices are price contemplating for house customers. They’re meaningfully cheaper, supply comparable show and port specs, and from a pure efficiency standpoint there may be not lots between them and the Startech. The important thing distinction is the safety locks. The Ugreen and Anker choices lack Kensington slots fully, which makes them much less appropriate for company or public environments the place bodily safety issues.

The screw-locked USB-C cable and the triple safety slot help on the Startech additionally add to its suitability for managed deployments. These options carry a value premium, and whether or not that premium is justified relies upon fully on the context. For house use, it most likely shouldn’t be. For IT procurement, the place bodily safety and cable retention are real necessities, the additional price is defensible.

Amazon can also be nicely stocked with no-name hubs at cheaper price factors, a lot of which declare triple monitor help. In my expertise, these merchandise are inconsistent. The show bandwidth specs are continuously overstated, buyer help is non-existent, and driver high quality varies wildly. Startech’s three-year guarantee and the MTBF score of 84,290 hours are price one thing when you’re deploying {hardware} at scale.

General

The Startech 199UE-USBC-DOCK is a succesful, no-frills docking station that delivers on its core specification. Triple 4K show help works as marketed when paired with a appropriate laptop computer, the USB efficiency is strong, and the driverless operation is a real benefit in IT environments.

The restrictions are actual however not surprising. The HDMI output is capped at 30Hz for 4K content material, the USB-A ports are restricted to 5Gbps, there isn’t any audio jack, and ultrawide resolutions above 3840 x 1080 usually are not supported. The host laptop computer should additionally help MST natively, which guidelines out some older machines and all Apple Silicon Macs.

On the optimistic aspect, the construct high quality is strong for the value level, the screw-locking cable is a sensible contact, and the inclusion of all three main safety slot requirements is a transparent sign of who this product is designed for. The three-year guarantee and the revealed MTBF determine add a level of confidence that you don’t all the time get from cheaper alternate options.

At £115 on Amazon, it faces real competitors from Ugreen and Anker, each of which supply comparable show and port efficiency for round £15 much less. For a house consumer, that value distinction might be sufficient to tip the steadiness towards the alternate options. For IT departments or MSPs on the lookout for a deployable dock with safety features and a significant guarantee, the Startech makes extra sense.

When you want a dock to deploy to purchasers or workers, I’d lean towards the Startech. For house customers, Ugreen or Anker signify higher worth for cash at their respective value factors.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Obsessed with all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and good house gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits enable me to carry a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the newest tech tendencies.

In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Techniques Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing.

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