When it comes to docking stations, your business doesn't just want a dock that works, you need a dock that works smarter. In a hybrid workplace, you need the best docking station for Mac, Windows, and everything in between. That means flexibility, reliability, and performance are non-negotiable. So, we’re comparing Thunderbolt docking stations, specifically a Plugable vs a Lenovo docking station. 

Today, we’re pitting two premium Thunderbolt 4 docking stations against each other: the Plugable TBT4-UDZ and the Lenovo 40B00135US ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock.

Both promise to deliver seamless connectivity, high-speed data transfer, and robust charging. But which one is the right investment for your team?

Let’s dive into the details.

Quick Specs at a Glance

The TBT4-UDZ Advantage

Connectivity and Ports

Plugable TBT4-UDZ:

• Offers four display outputs: two HDMI 2.0 ports and two DisplayPort 1.2 ports, supporting up to four displays on Windows 
• Two displays on M1 Pro/Max, M2 Pro/Max, M3 Pro/Max, M4 Macs; one display with base M1, M2 Macs.
• Includes six USB-A ports (3x 10Gbps, 2x 5Gbps, 1x USB 2.0) and one 10Gbps USB-C port with 7.5W charging.
• Features both UHS-II SD and UHS-II microSD card readers for fast file transfers.
• Provides a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for ultra-high-performance wired networking.
• Comes equipped with a 3.5mm analog audio jack for headsets with audio and mic support.
• Designed to deliver maximum flexibility for mixed-device work environments.
  
  

Lenovo 40B00135US:

• Provides two DisplayPort 1.4 ports, one HDMI 2.0 port, and one downstream-facing Thunderbolt 4 port (requiring adapters for additional display connections).
• Uses an MST chip to power DisplayPort and HDMI outputs, which causes the ports to mirror displays on macOS since MST is not supported.
• To connect dual displays to a compatible Mac, one display must be connected through the downstream Thunderbolt 4 port using a USB-C to HDMI or DisplayPort adapter.
• Includes four 10Gbps USB-A ports and one 10Gbps USB-C port.
• Does not include SD or microSD card readers.
• Offers Gigabit Ethernet (1000/100/10 Mbps) network connectivity.
• Better suited for Windows environments, with added complexity for Mac users.

Display Support

Plugable TBT4-UDZ:

• Supports up to four external displays at up to 4K resolution (3840x2160) at 60Hz each.
• Offers two DisplayPort 1.4 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports - no adapters needed.
• Supports Thunderbolt 4/USB4 DisplayPort Alt Mode (native GPU output) - no DisplayLink drivers required.
• Windows laptops: Up to four extended displays.
• MacBooks (M1 Pro/Max, M2 Pro/Max, M3 Pro/Max, and M4): Dual extended displays natively.
• MacBooks with standard M1/M2 chips (without "Pro" or "Max"): Limited to one external display, due to macOS system restrictions.

Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock:

• Also supports up to four external displays at up to 4K resolution (3840x2160) at 60Hz each.
• Provides two DisplayPort 1.4 ports and one HDMI 2.0 port, with the last display connecting through the downstream Thunderbolt port - a separate adapter would be required to connect to HDMI or DisplayPort through this port.
  Native Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Alt Mode video output (no DisplayLink driver required).
• Windows laptops: Up to four extended displays.
• MacBooks (M1 Pro/Max, M2 Pro/Max, M3 Pro/Max, and M4): Dual extended displays.
• Note: one of the two displays must be connected to the dock’s downstream facing Thunderbolt 4 port using a USB-C video adapter since the HDMI/DisplayPorts on the dock are only capable of mirror mode in macOS.
• MacBooks with standard M1/M2 chips (without "Pro" or "Max"): Limited to one external display due to system restrictions.

Detailed Mac Display Support per Dock

Total number of displays possible when using Mac hosts

Compatibility

When it comes to compatibility, the Plugable TBT4-UDZ stands out as the ideal choice for businesses and users with mixed environments.

Plugable TBT4-UDZ: 

Fully compatible with Windows 10+ and macOS 11+ systems equipped with Thunderbolt 4, USB4, or full-featured USB-C ports.

• Supports Windows and Mac laptops, with no reliance on proprietary host cables or brand-specific limitations.
• Perfect for hybrid workspaces with a variety of device types - one dock works across your entire fleet.

Lenovo ThinkPad Universal Thunderbolt 4 Dock:

• Primarily optimized for Lenovo ThinkPad systems.
• Official compatibility focuses on Windows platforms.
• Certification bias towards ThinkPad models means limited flexibility, especially when mixing brands or adding MacBooks into the environment.
• Connecting dual displays to Macs requires additional adapters - an added complexity Plugable users can avoid.
• Offers proprietary cable options which may not work with non-Lenovo laptops

Why It Matters
In modern work environments, especially in business, education, and hybrid workplaces, teams use a mix of Windows PCs and MacBooks. Plugable’s cross-platform compatibility and open, standards-based design make deployment simple and futureproof, while avoiding costly brand lock-ins.

For IT managers juggling different laptops and operating systems, Plugable offers the true "plug and play" experience, with no asterisks.

Performance and Charging

When it comes to performance, both docks are beasts:

• Data speeds up to 40Gbps
• Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C compatibility

On the charging side, both docks provide up to 100W Power Delivery (PD) to the host laptop. This is enough power to fully charge high-performance laptops like the 16-inch MacBook Pro or powerful Windows mobile workstations under load.

Whether you’re running intensive tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, or just multitasking across three screens, both the Plugable TBT4-UDZ and Lenovo 40B00135US should deliver full-speed performance without compromise.

Price and Support

Here’s where Plugable really shines:

• Lower MSRP
• Dedicated North America-based support team available even before and after purchase
• 2-Year Limited Warranty + lifetime product support

Meanwhile, Lenovo's support experience varies depending on reseller, region, and warranty extension options - and typically carries a higher initial price.

Final Verdict

Both docks deliver outstanding Thunderbolt 4 performance, but for organizations that value versatility, easy deployment across mixed Mac and Windows environments, and long-term value, the Plugable TBT4-UDZ is the better choice.

Its wider range of ports and competitive price make it a standout for IT managers and hybrid workplaces alike. Plugable’s North America-based support team offers fast, reliable, and technically savvy assistance from people who know the product inside and out.

For IT teams who want fewer headaches and more happy users, Plugable is the easy pick.

Ready to Upgrade Your Setup?

Whether you’re powering a high-performance workstation or building a reliable hybrid workspace, the Plugable TBT4-UDZ helps you stay connected, productive, and future-ready.

Learn more about the Plugable TBT4-UDZ here!