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6-in-1 4K Docking Stand IOGear Dock Professional 6-in-1 provides six helpful ports with USB-C connectivity together with a top stand that provides utility to any fashionable mac laptop computer.
Whereas many merchandise supply the performance of USB-C port enlargement or the ergonomics of propping up a laptop computer with a bodily stand, it is uncommon to see each mixed in a single product. IOGear makes an attempt to just do that combines each in style product varieties right into a single product for optimum comfort.
Port hubs are pretty simple, with the anticipated HDMI, USB-C and USB-A ports. A Gigabit Ethernet port is much less widespread on such merchandise, so it is a welcome addition right here.
One notable omission was the SD card slot subsequent to the Micro SD card reader. Nonetheless, the compromises have been minimal.
IOGear 4K Docking Stand Specs
This docking stand accommodates a complete of six completely different ports.
The primary three are information ports. The 2 USB-A ports are constructed on the USB 3.2 normal, permitting each to assist speeds of as much as 5 Gb/s. The identical information switch velocity is supported by a separate USB-C information connector.
A fourth connector utilizing the identical Sort-C interface is the Energy Supply port, which helps as much as 100W enter to the dock. The stand itself consumes 12W, leaving 88W to energy the linked laptop computer.
There’s a Gigabit Ethernet port that helps as much as 1 Gbps in wired web connection.
Lastly, the standard HDMI 1.4 port permits the person to hook up with an exterior 4K show with a decision of 3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz.
The large shock was the inclusion of a 100W Energy Supply USB-C pass-through port within the hub, which makes use of a single cable within the 4K Dock Stand. We have seen hubs that take up each USB-C ports on one facet of a MacBook characteristic Energy Supply as a result of that might require taking on each single charging port.
Utilizing the IOGear 4K Docking Stand
We used the 2021 to check the 4K Dock Stand MacBook Professional 16-inch mannequin with M1 Professional chip.
Preliminary settings
For the reason that width solely covers a few third of the width of a 16-inch machine, preliminary setup of the stand required some effective positioning.
The compact, moveable metallic body unfolds right into a flat stand with metallic helps that tilt the laptop computer towards the person. There are 5 units of channels on both sides that enable the person to decide on their most well-liked keyboard and trackpad angle.
The bars needed to be inserted into one in every of 5 units of notches etched into the metallic to create a secure stand. As soon as the stand is correctly adjusted, the laptop computer could be positioned on prime.
Regardless that the 4K Dock Stand is made primarily of anodized aluminum, it did not scratch the laptop computer. The contact factors on the stand have been padded with rubber, so the MacBook Professional by no means has to the touch naked metallic.
The included hub cable was plugged into the MacBook on the stand to finish the setup. The connector was beforehand pulled out of the cable administration system on the backside of the rack previous to meeting.
We instantly had an issue with the port positions on the 4K Dock Stand. Attributable to its design, the connectors are positioned immediately underneath the inside third of the system, underneath the left Command key.
This place meant we needed to attain underneath the system to plug something in and required us to awkwardly crane our necks to search out the proper ports.
Maybe the worst location was the Energy Supply port, which was proper subsequent to the hub cable on the base of the stand’s left leg. We discovered that we needed to take away the laptop computer to even plug within the energy twine.
It’s extremely inconvenient to make use of and an oversight in a design that is meant to be a semi-permanent dock setup.
Ports
The ports themselves on the 4K Dock Stand labored as marketed. In our testing, we have been in a position to hook up with exterior shows at a close-by library with out concern.
The 4K show within the media room we used for testing appeared to obtain a sign that matched its {hardware} decision.
We additionally used a dual-connector flash drive to check each the USB-A and USB-C information ports, they usually labored effective. Lastly, a 100W adapter was linked to the USB-C-to-USB-C cable to check the Energy Supply performance, and the MacBook could possibly be charged.
Nonetheless, a mere 88W capability is just too low to adequately cost the brand new 2021 MacBook Execs, which use 96W and 140W energy adapters. 88W is sufficient to cost 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Professional fashions at full velocity whereas providing sturdy currents to cost bigger MacBook fashions.
All ports maintained a correct connection when a peripheral was connected.
We imagine that the addition of an SD card slot, which was extremely requested on MacBook Execs earlier than they returned to the road with the 2021 revision, could be invaluable for customers of the decrease fashions who wish to keep productive.
Whereas the present crop of 14- a 16-inch MacBook Professionaltogether with the mannequin utilized in testing, have SD card slots, MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Professional customers will respect the additional comfort.
stand
In testing, we discovered the adjustable ranges on the 4K Dock Stand to be awkward for docking for the 16-inch mannequin.
On the 16-inch MacBook Professional, we discovered it solely labored as much as the third steepest stage, with steeper notches putting the laptop computer at an excessive amount of of an angle for the underside tabs to carry the entrance fringe of the system. The gear was thus left hanging dangerously on flat bases with out correct assist.
Even at flatter ranges, the latches solely held on the underside half of the entrance fringe of the underside chassis, although general it is comparatively secure even when typing.
The ill-fitting bodily design of the 4K docking stand led us to imagine it was higher suited to a smaller laptop computer just like the 13- and 14-inch MacBook Professional fashions. Nonetheless, the bizarre placement of the ports, in addition to the design of the rack latch meeting, name this into query.
Must you purchase the IOGear 4K Dock Stand?
We appreciated the number of port varieties on the 4K Dock Stand and imagine it is well-rounded sufficient to go well with the overwhelming majority of productive use instances.
Ports have been dependable and the inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet port was very welcome.
Sadly, resulting from an oversight within the design of the stand and the location of the ports, use is considerably unusual. For a dock that prided itself on providing a sturdy stand possibility along with expandability, it did not ship sufficient to dwell as much as its guarantees in our testing.
The smaller capability of 88W carried by the Energy Supply port, along with the design of the stand clearly tailored to assist smaller and lighter units, made the docking station extra appropriate for customers of the 13- and 14-inch fashions of the MacBook Air and MacBook Professional sequence.
Whereas it’s going to cost all MacBook fashions with USB-C ports simply effective, the talked about fashions will cost a bit sooner.
Nonetheless, the omission of an SD card slot, which is widespread on different docks, is some extent of be aware for these customers, as most consumers of this product are usually extra centered on productiveness. The built-in SD card slot, which remains to be broadly utilized in pictures and video recording, is just obtainable on the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professional 2021 fashions.
The 4K Dock Stand additionally comes at a excessive worth, particularly contemplating equally priced enlargement hubs which have double the ports of the IOGear product.
Skilled IOGear Dock Professional 6-in-1 4K Dock Stand
- Wide selection of ports
- Gigabit Ethernet included for comfort
- The number of ports is complete sufficient for the overwhelming majority of productive use instances
IOGear’s Dock Professional 6-in-1 4K Dock Stand Cons
- No SD card slot
- Stand design that solely works with smaller MacBooks
- Improper placement of ports
- Excessive worth in comparison with different enlargement options
IOGear Dock Professional 6-in-1 4K Docking Stand Ranking:
6-in-1 4K Dock Stand IOGear’s Dock Professional is a good stand. It’s going to get the job achieved assuming a dock and stand combo is what you are on the lookout for. It is inconvenient for Apple’s bigger moveable sizes and higher the smaller you go.
However should you’re in that Venn diagram of overlapping “want a dock with numerous ports” and “want a MacBook raised and tilted,” that is for you and a 4 out of 5.
However for everybody else, there are higher choices at this worth level.
General rating for many customers: 3 out of 5
The place to purchase IOGear 4K Dock Stand
The IOGear Dock Professional 6-in-1 4K Dock retails for $69.95 on Amazonthough clipping coupons are sometimes obtainable to additional cut back the value.
