TBT4-UDX1 Plug-in Review: Using Thunderbolt 4 for Maximum Connectivity

Review of the plug-in TBT4-UDX1

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TBT4-UDX1 Thunderbolt 4 Plug-in Dock

4.0/5 Buy on Amazon

The TBT4-UDX1 Plug-in is a powerful 11-port Thunderbolt 4 dock that can make setting up your Mac easier.

Docks can make your Mac or iPad much easier to use, but Thunderbolt's strengths justify the often high price tag. Currently, only a few Mac models have Thunderbolt 4 ports, but many are compatible with Thunderbolt 3.

Either way, you'll get 40 Gbps speeds right to your Mac. The TBT4-UDXI is a good way to prepare for the future and add useful features and ports to your Mac workflow.

Plugable TBT4-UDX1-Ports & Connectivity

As mentioned, the UDX1 has 11 ports: 3 Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 HDMI port, 4 USB 3.0 ports, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, SD card reader and audio combo jack.

For most people, that's more ports than you can imagine, but for those who really need it, the UDX1 is a solid solution. We especially liked the two Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports on the back, which allow them to be used for displays, SSD use, and more.

Overview of the pluggable TBT4-UDX1 – rear ports in order from left to right: power, HDMI, 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports, Ethernet, 3 USB 3.0 ports

UDX1 does not support compatibility with DisplayPort. But it's nice that Plugable gives you an HDMI to USB-C adapter, which is useful if you want to create a multi-monitor system.

Thunderbolt 4 can support two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display, which is one of its unique advantages.

TBT4-UDX1 plug-in module – characteristics

Product details	Specification
Laptop compatibility	USB4, Thunderbolt 4/3, USB-C
Thunderbolt output ports	2 Thunderbolt ports
Laptop charging	100 W (96 W certified)
Video output types	1x via HDMI, 1x via included USB-C HDMI adapter
Number of ports	11
Ethernet	2.5 Gigabit
SD	Yes
Orientation	Horizontal

TBT4-UDX1 plug-in – usage

We mainly used the UDX1 for two displays: keyboard and mouse and for charging devices via the front USB port A.

It's well suited for these basic docking use cases and does a great job of transferring files from the SSD and reading SD cards from the camera.

Plug-in TBT4-UDX1 review – top view

The horizontal orientation and space-gray color are good for hiding under a monitor, allowing the wires to fade into the background. New accessories can be easily switched on, plugged in and out as your workflow changes.

UDX1 looks portable, but the problem is transporting all the wires included in the package. Most would leave this at home or the office, but for the determined hybrid worker, it can work.

In terms of heat output, the UDX1 does get warm, but not too noticeably. As a general rule, don't layer other technologies on top of it.

Certified 96W charging claims the M1 MacBook Pro 14-inch charges from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes. Testing on our 2022 MacBook Pro 13-inch M2 showed similar speeds and a 50%-80% charge time of 40 minutes.

TBT4-UDX1 Plug-in Review – Rear Ports + USB-C to HDMI Cable

Connectable TBT4-UDX1 is seamless and convenient

TBT4-UDX1 does an excellent job of its stated functions, but its weakness lies in user preferences.

If you want to take full advantage of the UDX1 with a Thunderbolt 4 compatible Mac, its value increases significantly. Many people still have Macs with Thunderbolt 3, but it's good to prepare for the future.

If you need a lot of USB-C or DisplayPort connections for your peripherals, perhaps look elsewhere. However, the two Thunderbolt 4 serial ports and four USB-A ports are powerful, and 11 ports are difficult to fill at once.

Review of the plug-in TBT4-UDX1 – we hold it in our hands