In today’s hybrid work world, the humble docking station is the nerve center of your setup; connecting monitors, charging laptops, and managing a growing pile of peripherals. Choosing the right dock can mean the difference between a seamless workstation and a daily cable scramble.

We’re comparing two solid contenders:

  • Plugable UD‑6950PDZ: A USB-C dock with triple 4K support, 100W charging, and broad compatibility.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad Hybrid USB-C Dock (40AF0135US): A DisplayLink-based dock with a hybrid USB-C/USB-A host connection.

Let’s dive into specs, ports, charging, compatibility, and which dock delivers the most value for real-world use.

Quick Specs at a Glance

Feature Plugable UD-6950PDZ Lenovo 40AF0135US
Display Support Triple 4K @ 60Hz (1x DP Alt Mode + 2x DisplayLink) Dual 4K @ 60Hz (DisplayLink only)
USB Ports 6x USB-A 5Gbps 3x USB-A 10Gbps, 2x USB-A 480Mbps, 1x USB-C 10Gbps
Ethernet Gigabit RJ-45 Gigabit RJ-45
Audio 3.5mm combo jack 3.5mm combo jack
Host Charging 100W USB-C Power Delivery 90W USB-C PD (no charging over USB-A)
Compatibility Windows 10+, macOS 11+, Chrome OS Windows 10+, macOS 13+, ChromeOS
Driver Requirement DisplayLink required (2 displays), auto-install on Windows/ChromeOS
DisplayLink Manager installation required for macOS		 DisplayLink required, auto-install on Windows/ChromeOS
DisplayLink Manager installation required for macOS
Warranty 2-Year + Lifetime Support 3-Year Limited
Price Under $200 (budget-friendly) Typically over $200

Connectivity and Ports

The Plugable UD‑6950PDZ connects via USB-C and offers six USB-A 5Gbps ports. This makes it ideal for modern accessories like webcams, headsets, and external storage, all without the need for a separate hub.

The Lenovo 40AF0135US takes a hybrid approach, with a host cable supporting both USB-C and USB-A connections. Note: host charging is unavailable when using USB-A. It includes a mix of USB-A ports at different speeds, including some slower USB 2.0 (480Mbps) ports.

Both docks offer standard Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5mm combo audio jack.

Display Support

Here’s where the Plugable UD‑6950PDZ really shines. It supports three 4K @ 60Hz displays using a hybrid video approach:

  • One display connects via native DisplayPort Alt Mode from the host (no driver required)
  • Two displays connect via DisplayLink, which provides cross-platform flexibility (macOS, ChromeOS, Windows)

Each of these three outputs can use either HDMI or DisplayPort, giving you the freedom to match your existing monitors without adapters.

The Lenovo 40AF0135US supports dual 4K @ 60Hz displays, both powered by DisplayLink. Like the Plugable dock, it also offers either DisplayPort or HDMI connectors for both outputs, making it flexible for a variety of display setups.

While both docks are DisplayLink-based, the Plugable UD‑6950PDZ’s addition of native DP Alt Mode means it can go one step further by powering a third display at full resolution, all without the need for extra video adapters or daisy-chaining. This added functionality allows you to take full advantage of your system’s capabilities without leaving anything behind.

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Host Charging

The Plugable UD‑6950PDZ delivers up to 100W of USB-C Power Delivery, enough to power laptops like a 16" MacBook Pro or business-class Windows systems.

The Lenovo dock provides 90W charging, which may be less desirable for those with more higher-performance systems for graphics-intensive workloads, where the extra power could be taken advantage of.

Support and Warranty

Plugable’s UD‑6950PDZ comes with a 2-year warranty and lifetime North America-based support - from the engineers who design and test the products.

Lenovo offers a 3-year warranty, but support quality can vary based on purchase channel and geography.

Final Verdict

Why Plugable UD-6950PDZ stands out:

  • Triple 4K @ 60Hz display support with a hybrid DisplayPort Alt Mode + DisplayLink design
  • 100W host charging - more power for more demanding systems
  • Uniform 6x 5Gbps USB-A ports - no 2.0 bottlenecks
  • Budget-friendly price
  • Lifetime support from the team that designs and tests the dock

Where Lenovo ThinkPad Hybrid USB-C Dock fits:

  • Hybrid USB-C/USB-A host support offers legacy compatibility
  • Higher-speed USB-A (10Gbps) ports, but also includes USB 2.0

For users needing more displays, more charging power, and more value, the Plugable UD‑6950PDZ is the clear winner. Built for modern hybrid work and backed by a support team that knows their tech, it’s a dock that keeps up with the way we work today.

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