A Plugable classic, the Triple Display Docking Station (UD-ULTCDL), gets a modern refresh with streamlined display connections and a major power boost.
When we started redesigning one of our most loved triple display docking stations, we started with the video ports. This laptop docking station features three HDMI ports for a crisp, clear picture on all three screens. Easy setup for your HDMI monitors without reaching for an adapter.
But we didn’t just want to modernize the display options. We wanted this USB C dock to embrace the needs of modern technology. And that means adding more power. The redesigned UD-ULTCDL offers 100W Power Delivery (96W certified) and room to charge your connected devices through the front-facing USB-C port (20W PD).
Note: New and innovative products aren’t without compatibility concerns, it is important to read the information below for details regarding display output types and system requirements.
Not all USB-C ports offer DP Alt Mode or PD charging. Having a fully compatible USB-C, USB4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 port is required for this docking station, it will not work properly when adapted to USB 3.0. The UD-ULTCDL supports Windows 10, 11, ChromeOS 100+, and macOS 11, 12. Linux, and some older macOS versions are not supported.
Feature Packed
Crisp Clear Picture
A docking station triple monitor setup gives you ample space to spread out. And when it comes to connecting monitors,
HDMI is arguably the most common connection type. Our pure HDMI port configuration (1x HDMI 1.4, 2x HDMI 1.3) capitalizes on that and eliminates the legacy connections.
In a typical triple monitor setup, the main screen is in the middle with the auxiliary screens placed on either side. This Windows, Chrome, or Mac docking station takes advantage of that, so when setting up a host that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, consider connecting your main display to the HDMI 1.4 port for resolutions up to 4k 30Hz. Your two flanking screens will look great with resolutions up to 1920×1200 @ 60Hz (HDMI 1.3).
Ports a Plenty
In addition to the 100W charging to power your laptop—so you can leave the charger it came with in the bag—the UD-ULTCDL has a front-facing USB-C port for 5Gpbs data transfer and 20W charging to accommodate your phone or other devices.
Speaking of peripherals, the UD-ULTCDL has a total of 13 ports including 4x USB 3.0 ports for 5Gbps data transfer rates, an SD Card Reader, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and separate audio in and audio out ports.
Power On
Power Delivery—charging your laptop through a USB-C port—can get confusing. How much power is enough? How much is too much?
This isn’t only designed to be a docking station 3 monitors setup, it also has you covered with 100W charging capability (96W certified) so you have enough power to charge just about any laptop—even under a heavy workload.
And if your laptop needs less power, the dock communicates with your computer to negotiate the right charge level.
Windows 10 and 11
Windows users can download DisplayLink drivers from Plugable that are verified to provide the best experience.
Windows drivers can also be installed by Windows Update (with existing Internet connection).
macOS 11 and 12
Enable 3 extended (different) displays on Intel-based and M1/M2 Macs with Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB-C ports.
Driver installation required. Some features (screen rotation) still under development on Mac.
Chrome OS (Chromebooks) and Linux
Chrome OS and Chromebooks are supported.
<p?>Linux is not supported.
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Port Features, Limitations, Notes, and Terminology
Alternate Mode (Alt Mode) is a new feature introduced with USB 3.1, allowing USB cables to carry video signals directly from a device over a USB cable. Alt Mode video comes directly from the graphics card or integrated graphics processor on a device, meaning outputs from an Alt Mode video port have the full graphics acceleration of your system. Not all systems with USB-C support this functionality.
HDMI 1.4 allows for a maximum output resolution of 4K 30Hz (3840×2160 @ 30Hz). Lower resolutions such as 1920×1200, and 1920×1080 (1080p) are supported at 60Hz. The HDMI 1.4 connection on this dock is provided by converting DisplayPort Alt Mode to HDMI 1.4.
HDMI 1.3 allows for a maximum output resolution of 2K 60Hz (1920×1200 @ 60Hz). The HDMI 1.3 connections on this dock are provided by the DisplayLink DL-3900 USB graphics chipset.
DisplayLink is a technology that allows compressed data of various types to be sent over USB data connections. The DisplayLink DL-3900 chipset in this docking station connects all the data and video connections, other than the “4K” HDMI 1.4 connection, on this dock.
There are a few important limitations of DisplayLink technology. DisplayLink uses a proprietary compressed video stream that is partially generated by both your computer’s CPU and GPU, and is a “virtual” video adapter. Because the video is compressed and packetized as data, then reassembled by the DisplayLink chip, the pacing of new frames of video can be inconsistent, particularly if large portions of the content being sent through DisplayLink is changing (such as with video playback).
Because of how DisplayLink provides video, video outputs provided by DisplayLink technology should only be used to display content like office applications and web browser windows, not games or video content.
HDCP is not supported, this means protected content such as Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube Premium, Hulu, Blu-ray videos, and other protected content, either may not work or will play at a lower resolution, depending on the content provider.
Some USB-C ports on PCs and Macs are labelled as Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB4 ports. Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB4 ports are USB-C ports with additional functionality that are also compatible with this docking station.
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a standard introduced with USB-C that provides enough power for many mobile devices and laptops. This dock is able to supply up to 100W (96W) of power to a host.
Features
- Powerful Expansion—USB C docking station with 13 ports for the professional who needs to spread out across three monitors, even on laptops that only support one extra screen, and offers 100W charging to power through your day
- Triple Monitor—Get a pristine picture on your main display with up to 4K 30Hz, and on displays two and three resolutions up to 1920×1200 @ 60Hz. Thanks to DisplayLink technology, you can even add three screens to M1 and M2 Macs
- 100W Charging—Charge your laptop with up to 100W (96W certified) directly through the DisplayLink docking station. Through the front USB-C port, charge your connected devices (20W)
- Compatibility—USB-C dock is compatible with Windows 10 or later, ChromeOS 100.x or later, and macOS 11+ systems with USB4, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C. macOS requires installation of DisplayLink Drivers
- Connection Options—Triple display docking station lets you charge your phone or other devices with 1x front-facing USB-C 3.0 (5Gbps, 20W PD), and keep expanding with 4x USB 3.0 (5Gbps), an SD card reader, Gigabit Ethernet, and audio in and out ports.
Specifications
In The Box
| Item and Quantity | Item Notes |
|---|---|
| 1x Plugable USB-C Triple Display Docking Station | |
| 1x 5Gbps USB-C to USB-C Cable | |
| 1x 65W Power Adapter |
Video
| Port | Placement | Specification | Max Resolution and Refresh Rate | HDCP | Chipset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2x HDMI (Output) |
Rear | HDMI 1.3 | 1920×1200 @ 60Hz |
Not Supported | DL-3900 DisplayLink |
| 1x HDMI 4K (Output) |
Rear | HDMI 1.4 | 3840×2160 @ 30Hz |
Host Dependent |
Audio
| Port | Placement | Connection | Max Bit Depth and Sample Rate | Signal Output | Channels | Chipset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headphone Jack Line Out |
Front | 3.5mm (TRS) | 16-bit 48KHz | Analog | 2 | DL-3900 DisplayLink |
| Microphone Jack Line In |
Front | 3.5mm (TRS) | 16-bit 48KHz | Analog | 2 | DL-3900 DisplayLink |
| HDMI 4K Output |
Rear | HDMI | Host Dependent | Digital | Host Dependent | |
| HDMI Output |
Rear | DisplayLink HDMI | 16-bit 48KHz | Digital | 6* | DL-3900 DisplayLink |
Power
| Port | Placement | Power Host / Device | Connection Type | Notes | Voltage | Amperage | Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Supply | Rear | Device | Region-specific Power Adapter | 20.0V | 6.75A | 135.0W | |
| USB-C to Host | Rear | Host | USB-C Power Delivery | Check Compatibility Table | 20.0V | 5.0A | 100.0W |
USB To Devices
| Port | Placement | Version and Link Rate | Features | Voltage | Amperage | Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4x USB-A | Rear | USB 3.0 (5Gbps) | 5V | 900mA | 4.5W | |
| 1x USB-C | Front | USB 3.0 (5Gbps) | 9V | 2200mA | 19.8W |
Connection To Host
| Port | Placement | Version and Link Rate | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1x USB-C | Rear | USB 3.0 (5Gbps) | USB Power Delivery |
Wired Network
| Port | Placement | Version and Link Rate | Features | Chipset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DisplayLink Gigabit Ethernet | Rear | 1000BASE-T | DL-3900 DisplayLink |
Storage
| Storage Port Location | Host Connection | Host Connecton Port Specification | Attached Cable (Port Type if No) | Slot and Media Type | Capacity (If Media Included) or Max Supported Capacity | Chipset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | SD or SDHC or SDXC or MMC |
GL3232S Genesys Logic |
Included Cables
| Port Type (Side 1) | Cable Specification | Port Type (Side 2) | Cable Length | External Power for Cable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x Male USB-C | USB 3.0 (5Gbps) | 1x Male USB-C | 1.0m/3.3ft | No |
| 1x Male IEC Type B | 1x Male IEC C5/C6 | 1.88m/6.17ft | No |
