Head-to-Head: Plugable TBT4-UDX1 vs. Microsoft Surface Dock 2

Today, we will be looking at the Plugable TBT4-UDX1, and comparing it to the Microsoft Surface Dock 2. Both of these docks can natively support multiple 4K displays, but we’ll be diving deeper into the features and specifications to help you decide which dock is best for your setup.

Feature Comparison: Plugable TBT4-UDX1 vs Microsoft Surface Dock 2

Why the TBT4-UDX1 Is the Right Choice

Wider Compatibility:

The Surface Dock 2 uses Microsoft’s Surface Connect port to connect to the host. This proprietary port is only present on Microsoft Surface devices, which means that the dock will only connect to Surface hosts. That’s fine until you want to switch to a non-Surface laptop. The TBT4-UDX1 connects to hosts via Thunderbolt 4, which uses the popular USB-C connector. Thunderbolt 4 ports are present on many modern Windows laptops, MacBooks, and Chromebooks. They are even present on modern Surfaces and Surface Laptops, meaning the TBT4-UDX1 can still be compatible with your Surface. Besides a different shape, the Surface Connect port does not offer any major differences from a Thunderbolt 4 port, as they both support data, video, and charging. All this to say that the TBT4-UDX1 allows for more compatibility across a multitude of devices, including Surface hosts.

Port Selection

The TBT4-UDX1 has 11 downstream ports compared to the Microsoft dock’s 8 ports. The TBT4-UDX1 comes with a built-in SD card reader that can handle full-size SD cards, which is not available on the Surface Dock 2.

The downstream USB-C ports on the TBT4-UDX1 are Thunderbolt 4 ports, which support 40Gbps bandwidth, 15W power delivery, and displays up to 8K resolution. This means that Thunderbolt 4 SSDs, external GPUs, and Thunderbolt monitors can all be connected to this port. The Surface Dock 2 has 4 downstream USB-C ports, but they only support up to 10Gbps bandwidth, and vary between supporting video and 15W power delivery. If you are a serious power user, you definitely want the flexibility and full 40Gbps bandwidth that downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports offer.

Additionally, the TBT4-UDX1 boasts a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, 2.5x the bandwidth of the Surface Dock 2’s 1.0 Gigabit port. Don’t let your dock be the bottleneck between you and multi-gigabit speeds! *Note that supported routers, modems, and internet service providers are required for 2.5 GbE speeds.

Monitor Support

Both the TBT4-UDX1 and Surface Dock 2 can support up to 2x 4K displays when connected to compatible hosts. The Surface Dock 2 only has USB-C ports for displays. If you want to connect via HDMI, you will need to purchase separate adapters. However, the TBT4-UDX1 offers the flexibility to connect your monitors via USB-C or HDMI. You may notice that the TBT4-UDX1 only has one HDMI port, but it comes with a USB-C to HDMI adapter in the package to connect a second HDMI display if desired. HDMI is on nearly every modern monitor, while USB-C monitors are on the market, they are not commonplace quite yet. 

Detachable Cable

The TBT4-UDX1 features a replaceable USB-C cable, addressing a significant pain point of fixed cable designs like the one on the Surface Dock 2. This can get expensive if the cable becomes damaged, as you will likely need a full new dock if the cable is permanently attached. Instead, you can simply replace the cable on a dock like the TBT4-UDX1 and get connected again. This also allows you to replace the cable with a longer one if the setup requires it.

Overall Thoughts

Plugable’s TBT4-UDX1 is a more comprehensive and robust choice. Compared to the Surface Dock 2, you get wider compatibility, an increased port selection, and more flexible monitor support. And given that the TBT4-UDX1 is still compatible with many Surface systems, you won’t be missing out by not choosing a Surface dock.  Whether you are an IT department looking to deploy a dock across multiple models of laptops, or a tech-savvy consumer who wants to future-proof their home setup, look no further than the Plugable TBT4-UDX1.

At Plugable, we also stand by our products and are committed to providing excellent support. If you reach out to us, you will be put in touch directly with our product experts, so you can purchase the TBT4-UDX1  for your enterprise knowing that we have your back and are here to help.