Head-to-Head: Plugable UD-6950PDH vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2

When selecting a docking station to enhance your workstation, it's crucial to choose one that offers versatility, robust features, and wide compatibility. In this comparison, we pit the Plugable UD-6950PDH against the Microsoft Surface Dock 2 (model 1GK-00001) across key aspects: port availability, power delivery, compatibility, and which is the best docking station for dual 4K monitors.

Both are designed to expand connectivity and drive multiple monitors, but they target different users. We’ll break down how each dock compares and explain why the Plugable UD-6950PDH ultimately comes out on top in features, flexibility, and overall value.

Feature Comparison: Plugable UD-6950PDH vs. Microsoft Surface Dock 2

The UD-6950PDH Advantage

Port Availability 

• Plugable UD-6950PDH: This dock is a 14-in-1 powerhouse. It provides multiple USB ports (including the newer USB-C) and dedicated video outputs. Specifically, it features 1x USB-C (5 Gbps) port on the front (supports up to 7.5W charging), 4x USB-A (5 Gbps) ports for your devices (with one front USB-A supporting BC 1.2 fast charging up to 7.5W)​. For monitors, it has two HDMI 1.4 ports and two DisplayPort 1.2 ports built-in, allowing you to directly connect up to two external displays without needing extra adapters​. Rounding out its port selection, the UD-6950PDH includes a gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port for wired networking, an SD card slot plus a microSD card slot for media storage, and a 3.5mm audio jack (TRRS) for headphones/mic​. In short, this port array allows for virtually every connectivity need.
• Microsoft Surface Dock 2: The Surface Dock 2’s port selection is more limited and Surface-centric. It provides 2x front USB-C ports (each supplying up to 15W for phone or accessory charging) and 2x rear USB-C ports that double as the video outputs (these support DisplayPort Alt Mode for connecting monitors up to 4K 60Hz).In addition, it includes 2× USB-A ports (located on the rear, USB 3.2 Gen2, 7.5W each) for legacy devices​. For networking, there’s a gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port, and for audio, a 3.5mm audio jack is present​.
• Notably, the Surface Dock 2 does not include any SD or microSD card reader.
• Also, the Surface Dock 2 has no built-in HDMI or DisplayPort connectors; users must connect displays using the two USB-C ports on the rear and appropriate USB-C to HDMI/DisplayPort cables or adapters.
• All ports on the Surface Dock 2 connect to the host via Microsoft’s proprietary Surface Connect cable, rather than a standard USB-C host connection.

Display Support

• Plugable UD-6950PDH: This is a 4K docking station built on DisplayLink technology, which allows it to support dual 4K external monitors at 60Hz refresh rate on virtually any modern computer​. Thanks to its “Mix and Match” flexible outputs (2× HDMI and 2× DisplayPort), you can hook up two displays in whatever combination suits your setup – two HDMI screens, two DisplayPort screens, or one of each​. The ability to drive two 4K@60Hz monitors holds true even on computers that natively support only a single display (for example, the Apple M1/M2/M3 MacBooks which typically allow just one external monitor)​. By installing the DisplayLink driver, the UD-6950PDH essentially circumvents those limitations and enables extensive multi-monitor configurations on Mac, Windows, or ChromeOS. This is a considerable advantage for Mac users or anyone with a USB-C laptop with limited display outputs. Please note that DisplayLink driver installation is required.
• Microsoft Surface Dock 2: The Surface Dock 2 also advertises support for dual 4K displays at 60Hz, but with an important caveat – it depends on the host device’s capabilities. The dock’s two rear USB-C ports support DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode. Support for DisplayPort 1.4 is required for dual 4K 60Hz, meaning older Surface models that support DisplayPort 1.2 will be limited to 4K 30Hz.
• If you are looking for more universal flexibility, the UD-6950PDH is the better choice.
• While the Surface Dock 2 is excellent in its limited ecosystem, the UD-6950PDH ensures that no matter what laptop you have – be it a Surface, MacBook, Lenovo, or HP – you can run a dual-monitor setup up to 4K@60Hz

Compatibility

• The Plugable UD-6950PDH offers universal docking station compatibility. It’s built to work with any host with a Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, or USB-C port that supports data—effectively covering most modern laptops. The Microsoft Surface Dock 2 is purpose-built for Microsoft Surface systems and only works via a proprietary magnetic connector found only on Surface devices.  
• The UD-6950PDH is compatible with Windows 10 and newer, macOS, and ChromeOS(Chromebooks)​. That means you can use it with a Windows notebook today, a MacBook tomorrow, or even a Chromebook – the dock will function across platforms. Whether you have a Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple Mac, or a Microsoft Surface, as long as it has a USB-C or USB-A port for data, you can likely use the UD-6950PDH (USB-A hosts can be supported via a USB-C to USB-A adapter for the dock, though you’d lose the host charging in that case). Even within the Surface line, newer Surfaces now come with USB-C ports, which means they can opt to use this Plugable dock instead of the proprietary one. This universality is a huge advantage if you foresee changing devices or if you manage a mix of device types. In summary, the UD-6950PDH is device-agnostic and forward-compatible; it will remain useful even if you switch from a Surface to a different laptop in the future.

Compatibility and Testing

Extensive Interoperability Testing: Compatibility is a top priority for Plugable. The UD-6950PDH has undergone rigorous testing across various operating systems, including Windows, ChromeOS, and macOS. Additionally, it has been tested with multiple models from major laptop brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Apple to ensure seamless functionality in diverse environments. In contrast, Microsoft’s docking station focuses on ensuring compatibility within its ecosystem. While this narrower scope may suit organizations completely standardized on Microsoft Surface hardware, the UD-6950PDH's broader compatibility offers a more flexible and inclusive solution for mixed-device environments.

Support

Dedicated Customer Support: The Plugable support team—made up of the engineers who helped design and test our products—is always ready to assist. With straightforward evaluation, return, and warranty policies, along with extensive resources like updated knowledge base articles, community forums, and FAQs, we are committed to providing reliable and accessible support when you need it most. Furthermore, Plugable's Watts AI chat is accessible 24/7, offering a convenient and efficient self-serve option for troubleshooting and inquiries at your fingertips.

Final Thoughts 

The Plugable UD-6950PDH is the more versatile and feature-rich docking station – a clear winner for anyone who wants maximum connectivity and flexibility from their dock. Whether you’re a creative professional needing multiple monitors and card readers, a multi-device user switching between a work system and a personal Macbook/Windows laptop, or an IT professional looking for one docking station solution to deploy across various laptops, the UD-6950PDH will meet your needs and then some.