Kensington MD120U4 USB4 Portable Docking Station - Black
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Product Information
Full details
The Kensington MD120U4 USB4 Portable Docking Station is designed for hybrid workers and mobile professionals seeking to expand their laptop's connectivity and display capabilities with a single USB4 port. Its key benefit is delivering dual 4K display support, high-speed data transfer, and 100W power pass-through in a compact, portable design. A potential caveat is that dual 4K performance and certain display resolutions may vary depending on the host device's capabilities. This docking station offers essential ports including HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, and 2.5GbE Ethernet, making it a versatile hub for various devices and operating systems.
All features
| Colour | Black |
|---|---|
| Model Part Number | K32850WW |
| Brand | Kensington |
Extended Product Information
FAQs
What is the maximum resolution and refresh rate supported?
The dock supports dual 4K displays at 120Hz, or a single display up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 144Hz. However, actual performance depends on the capabilities of your host device and the display.
Do I need a separate power adapter for the dock?
You can use your laptop's USB-C power adapter (80W or greater recommended) for power pass-through charging of your laptop and powering the dock's peripherals. An optional 100W power adapter can be purchased separately for dock-only power when not charging a laptop.
What operating systems are compatible with this dock?
It is compatible with Windows 10 and above, macOS 11 Big Sur and above, iPadOS 13 and above, and Samsung DeX. Functionality may vary slightly across platforms.
Can I connect two 4K monitors at 120Hz to my MacBook?
Dual 4K @ 120Hz is supported by USB4 and Thunderbolt. For MacBooks, the exact display capabilities can depend on the specific model and its USB4 implementation. Please check your MacBook's specifications for dual display support at high refresh rates.
What is the data transfer speed of the USB-A and USB-C ports?
The dock features 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports and 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, offering data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Does the dock include the necessary cables?
Yes, the dock includes a 25cm (9.8”) USB4 cable for connecting to your host device. It does not include HDMI or power adapter cables, which should be provided by the user.
What is the Ethernet port speed?
The Ethernet port is a 2.5Gbps (2.5GbE) port, providing faster wired network connections than standard 1Gbps Ethernet.
Troubleshooting
No video output on external monitors.
Ensure the dock is connected to a compatible USB4/Thunderbolt port on your host device. Verify that the HDMI cables are securely connected to both the dock and the monitors. Check if the host device supports dual display output and the selected resolutions. Restart your host device and the dock.
External devices (USB-A, USB-C) are not recognized.
Ensure the devices are properly connected to the USB ports. Try connecting them to a different port on the dock. If using the USB-C port for data, ensure it's not solely in power pass-through mode. Check device compatibility with USB 3.2 Gen 2.
Slow data transfer speeds.
Confirm that the dock is connected to a USB4 or Thunderbolt port on your host device. Ensure the connected peripheral (e.g., external SSD) also supports high-speed data transfer. Check for any background processes consuming bandwidth.
Laptop is not charging or charging slowly.
Make sure you are using your laptop's original USB-C power adapter (minimum 80W recommended) and it is connected to the dock's USB-C port intended for power pass-through. Verify that your laptop supports USB Power Delivery 3.0.
Ethernet connection is unstable or not working.
Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely plugged into the dock and your router. Check the network settings on your host device. Try a different Ethernet cable or port on your router. Restart your router and host device.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-speed data transfer up to 40Gb/s via USB4.
- Supports dual 4K displays at 120Hz or single 8K display.
- 100W Power Delivery pass-through simplifies charging on the go.
- Wide compatibility with various operating systems and devices (Windows, macOS, iPadOS, DeX).
- Includes essential ports: 2x HDMI, 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 2.5GbE Ethernet.
- Compact, portable design with integrated cable storage.
Cons
- Dual 4K support may be limited on certain devices (e.g., iPads, Samsung DeX, some MacBooks).
- Requires a USB4 or Thunderbolt 3/4 port on the host device for full functionality.
- 100W Power Pass-through requires the user's own compatible USB-C power adapter (80W+).
- Higher refresh rates (like 120Hz) for 4K may be restricted by host device limitations.
- Doesn't include an integrated card reader.
Setup, Compatibility & Care
Setup
The Kensington MD120U4 is designed for Plug and Play simplicity. Simply connect the included USB4 cable from the dock to a compatible USB4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 port on your laptop or device. For power pass-through, connect your laptop's USB-C power adapter (minimum 80W recommended) to the dock's USB-C port. Connect your monitors to the HDMI ports, and your peripherals (keyboard, mouse, external drives, etc.) to the USB-A or USB-C ports. The Ethernet port can be connected to your network router.
Compatibility
- Operating Systems: Windows 10 or above, macOS 11 Big Sur or above, iPadOS 13 or above, Samsung DeX.
- Host Interface: Requires a USB4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 port for full functionality. Also supports USB-C 3.2 devices, though capabilities like data transfer speeds and display output may be limited.
- Display Output: Dual 4K @ 120Hz is supported over USB4/Thunderbolt. Single display up to 8K @ 60Hz. Resolution and refresh rate performance for MacBooks, iPads, and Samsung DeX may vary and might be lower than the maximum specifications (e.g., single 4K @ 60Hz for MacBooks, up to 2K for iPads/DeX).
- Power Delivery: Supports up to 100W USB PD 3.0 pass-through. Your laptop's USB-C power adapter must be at least 80W for effective charging.
Care
- Keep the dock in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating. Operating temperature is 0-45°C.
- Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using liquids or abrasive cleaners.
- Ensure the USB4 cable and port are free from debris before connecting.
- Store the dock and cable in a cool, dry place when not in use (Storage temperature: 0-60°C). The cable management clips can help keep the cable tidy during transport.