3 4K presentations for nearly any computer

There are numerous docking stations in the marketplace nowadays, and whilst they arrive in many alternative styles and sizes, all of them have something in not unusual – they are in accordance with Thunderbolt. It is a standard interface nowadays, and with speeds of as much as 40Gbps, it is simple to peer why. However Thunderbolt is not supported on AMD laptops, and as with Apple Silicon Macs, the processor limits exterior presentations. That is the place docks just like the Visiontek VT7400 turn out to be useful.

The usage of DisplayLink generation, the VisionTek VT7400 helps as much as 3 4K presentations, and it really works on any computer, whether or not it has an AMD, Intel, or Apple Silicon processor. That is not anything new, however this generation is of serious significance when you wouldn’t have a Thunderbolt-enabled computer. I want there was once an SD card reader, and I might additionally like extra USB Kind-A ports at the similar facet of the dock. This design is not appropriate for each present setup as a result of equipment must be plugged into the back and front, and there is not room for more than one USB peripherals on all sides. Nevertheless it nonetheless has some USB Kind-A ports, USB Kind-C, Ethernet and a headphone jack for extra enlargement, in addition to preferred additions like the ability transfer.

about this overview: VisionTek despatched us the VT7400 for the aim of this overview and didn’t see its contents previous to newsletter.

VisionTek VT7400: Worth and Availability

• The VisionTek VT7400 is to be had from more than a few outlets together with Amazon
• It begins at $349 MSRP however you’ll be able to to find it less expensive

VisionTek introduced the VT7400 docking station in mid-February, and it is to be had during the corporate’s site and more than a few third-party outlets similar to Amazon and Newegg.

The VT7400 begins at a $349 MSRP, which is without a doubt steep for a docking station with out Thunderbolt fortify. That is smartly above the $279 ticket of Plugable’s Triple 4K Show Docking Station, which has identical options. Fortunately, you’ll be able to to find it for round $300 on the time of writing, which makes it extra affordable.

VisionTek VT7400: Design and construct high quality

• The VisionTek VT7400 sports activities an all-black chassis with a number of air flow
• It is made from plastic, however it is solidly constructed

Design almost definitely is not the primary precedence for lots of of those docking stations, however it is touchable, particularly bearing in mind the top class you can pay for it. That stated, the VisionTek VT7400 does not do a lot to face out. It has an all-black chassis that is graceful and subdued, with a form of brushed end on most sensible that assists in keeping it from taking a look Very Box.

In contrast to different in a similar way dear docks, the VisionTek VT7400 does not use a steel chassis, opting to make use of most commonly plastic as a substitute. Whilst you may describe it as plastic, I would not name it affordable. It nonetheless feels forged, even though we aren’t certain it could be robust sufficient to live to tell the tale a drop. The dock has massive rubber toes, but it surely does not look like they do a lot to stay it from slipping. It is not going you can by accident knock it over, however it is one thing to bear in mind.

Something I really like about this dock is that it has an influence transfer, which is undoubtedly preferred.

It is arduous to believe {that a} docking station would overheat, but it surely looks as if the VT7400 has a forged thermal design. There are massive air flow spaces on all sides, and the ground is filled with holes to facilitate airflow. Many docking stations use a steel chassis to function a heatsink of types, so this additional air flow will have to atone for its plastic building.

Something I really like about this dock is that it has an influence transfer, which is one thing I sorely overlooked when the usage of my earlier docking stations. I paintings in the similar room I sleep in, and the little gentle at the dock could be a drawback at night time, however I do not wish to must unplug the ability provide each time. Having an influence transfer to briefly flip it on or off makes issues more practical, so it is undoubtedly preferred. Although you’ve a devoted workplace, this mean you can save power.

Ports and connectivity: 3 4K presentations and a number of USB

• You’ll be able to use as much as 3 4K presentations with 5 show output ports
• There is a just right provide of USB ports, however the way in which they are cut up up may also be inconvenient

In fact, you purchase a docking station for the ports, so what does the VisionTek VT7400 be offering? The primary attraction here’s fortify for triple 4K presentations, thank you to 5 show outputs at the again. You get 3 HDMI 2.0 ports and two DisplayPort 1.2 ports, all of which fortify 4K answer at as much as 60Hz. Two DisplayPort ports are paired with every HDMI port, that means a video sign can handiest be despatched via considered one of them at a time, so handiest 3 presentations may also be supported at a time. 4 of those ports use the DisplayLink interface, whilst the 1/3 HDMI port is DP Alt Mode, which helps 3 4K presentations on nearly any computer, together with the most recent Macs with Apple M1 and M2-series processors.

DisplayLink is a distinct motive force that may take an ordinary USB sign and use it to show video, although the computer does not natively fortify it, so those ports mustn’t compromise show obstacles. The DP Alt Mode port makes use of the graphics motive force in your computer, so this 1/3 show would possibly not paintings on a USB-C port that does not fortify DP Alt Mode. For most present laptops, even though, this should not be an issue.

Whilst reviewing this dock, I realized that after I use either one of my displays during the DisplayLink ports (those are Complete HD displays with 75Hz and 165Hz refresh charges, respectively), there’s every now and then a slight lag in transferring massive gadgets. There is also extend. It is a fraction of a 2d, however sufficient for me to note it. Docking stations normally don’t seem to be intended for refresh charges upper than 60Hz, that may be a part of the issue. Both means, it did not occur steadily, and when it did, it wasn’t a large deal.

All USB ports have a bandwidth of 10Gbps, which many identical docks can not say.

As for the remainder of the ports, there are two USB Kind-A ports at the again at the side of RJ45 Ethernet. The entrance homes two different USB Kind-A ports, two USB Kind-C ports, and a headphone jack. All USB ports have a bandwidth of 10Gbps, which many identical docks can not say. Take note, even though, that the host connection handiest has 10Gbps bandwidth within the first position, so you are going to exhaust that bandwidth briefly if you are the usage of numerous high-speed peripherals. Alternatively, you’ll be able to use other units at other instances and also have the similar excessive velocity.

Whilst the sheer selection of USB ports is superb to peer, I bumped into an issue. For me, it is a lot more straightforward to have all of the ports on one facet since the dock is at the fringe of my table, and I wish to convey cables at once to the related peripherals. That is, sadly, unattainable as a result of I’ve a minimum of 3 USB peripherals attached all the time, and a few cables must be bunched up in the back of the dock. I doubt this can be a distinctive drawback, however if you are any individual seeking to profit from a small desk, you could come upon a moderately identical drawback. Simply take into account of your table setup ahead of your acquire.

Must you purchase the VisionTek VT7400?

You will have to purchase the VisionTek VT7400 Docking Station when you:

• Have an AMD computer or Apple M1/M2 Mac and more than one exterior displays
• Need a dock that works similarly smartly on nearly any computer
• Wishes extra USB ports or Ethernet
• Wish to simply shut the Dock when you are no longer the usage of it?

You should not purchase the VisionTek VT7400 when you:

• A less expensive selection may also be discovered (just like the pluggable UD-ULTC4K)
• need extra top class builds
• like to have all ports facet by means of facet
• want sd card reader

The VisionTek VT7400 is a wonderfully positive docking station, and it gives a good set of options. Triple 4K show fortify is without a doubt great to have on nearly any computer, and there is a just right provide of ports general. It is arduous to not indicate the loss of an SD card reader, even though, as there don’t seem to be many laptops nowadays. I might say that the location of the USB ports may be no longer very best, however most likely no longer a dealbreaker. What makes it sting somewhat is the pricing, particularly bearing in mind you’ll be able to get pluggable triple 4K show docking stations with the similar selection of ports for a lot much less. However if in case you have a computer with out Thunderbolt, this will have to be in your checklist.