This docking station lets you connect five screens to your MacBook

Macworld

Even with 14-inch and 16-inch screens, many MacBook users have already upgraded to two larger desktop screens at home or in the office—often using a laptop docking station to benefit from the extra video ports required for such a setup, plus extras such as multiple USB ports and Ethernet. Some hook up three monitors and there are even docks that support up to four external screens.

At CES, accessory maker Plugable unveiled the first docking station that can support five external monitors. Through the use of DisplayLink technology this expanse of screen real estate is available even to owners of the plain M1 and M2 MacBooks previously limited by Apple to just the solitary one external display.

The UD-7400PD is a hybrid docking station that uses two technologies to drive the connected displays: USB-C Alt Mode Video and DisplayLink (third-party software that the user downloads before setting up the dock). For more details, see our explainer on how to connect multiple external displays to a Mac using DisplayLink.

Up to five high-resolution displays can be added: three 6K screens, or one 6K plus four 4K displays. For Windows PCs, the 6K screen can be upgraded to a full 8K one. This mega multi-screen support is made possible by the dock’s use of the DisplayLink DL-7400 chipset.




Plugable

Do you need five screens?

Probably not. Very few people actually need or desire five monitors, but the UD-7400PD dock offers flexibility. Users can choose from the five video options—one HDMI 2.1 for the highest 6K resolution, one HDMI 2.0 for 4K at 60Hz, and three 10Gbps USB-C ports with DisplayLink enabled for 4K at 60Hz—with any unused USB-C ports free for other devices with full data, video and power potential (up to 15W).

Having the same and full USB-C options available for each port makes usage simple for the user, rather than having to select a particular one for video and others for power or data. The UD-7400PD dock offers PD 3.1 140W Power Delivery, meaning it can be used to fast-charge even the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro.




Plugable

The top-end specs continue with a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, which will dramatically speed up a network supported at the same speed. At the front is another USB-C port capable of outputting 30W of power, enough to fast-charge any iPhone. Two legacy but speedy 10Gbps USB-A ports (7.5W) and a combo 3.5mm audio socket round out the front ports.

The UD-7400PD dock is expected to be available in March for approximately $265. For more options, check out our roundups of the best docking stations for Mac and best DisplayLink docks.




Plugable

Plugable USB-C Quad HDMI Graphics Adapter

Plugable also announced a smaller video-only solution using the same DisplayLink DL-7400 chipset that supports four independent high-resolution displays via one USB-C cable but without the extra ports boasted by the fuller five-display docking station.

The compact USB-C Quad HDMI Graphics Adapter (USBC-7400H4) uses the same DisplayLink technology as the UD-7400PD dock to drive four 4K 60Hz HDMI outputs from a single USB-C port, and allowing for up to 100W USB-C PD pass-through charging. 

The USBC-7400H4 will cost $125.

Simon Jary attended CES at the request of Plugable, which paid for hotel and travel. The company did not influence Macworld’s editorial content.