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At a glance
- UD-6950PDZ: $229.99; three 4K outputs via DisplayLink; 100W charging (current revision).
- TBT4-UDZ: $289.99; native video; up to four 4K on Windows, one external display on base M1/M2 Macs; 2.5Gbps Ethernet.
- Ten docks: $2,299.90 vs $2,899.90.
Two Plugable docks compared
Swipe or scroll sideways to compare all options.
| Buying difference | Plugable UD-6950PDZ | Plugable TBT4-UDZ |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer US hardware price | $229.99 | $289.99 |
| Display technology | Hybrid: DisplayLink plus a native USB-C Alt Mode output | Native display path; does not use DisplayLink |
| DisplayLink software | Required for full display functionality; macOS needs installation and permission | Not required |
| Display capacity | Up to three 4K displays at 60Hz with a compatible host and configuration | Up to four supported Windows displays; Mac and host capabilities impose different limits |
| Key host constraint | Native output requires a USB-C port with video; DP 1.4 needed for that output at 4K60 | Does not bypass the laptop’s native external-display limit |
| Host charging | Current revision: up to 100W | Up to 100W |
| Ethernet | 1Gbps | 2.5Gbps |
| Hardware revision | Older units provide 60W; check the actual unit | Match the TBT4-UDZ SKU and supported host specification |
| Warranty reference | Manufacturer lists two-year defect coverage | Manufacturer lists two-year defect coverage |
| Main limitation / extra cost | DisplayLink installation/permissions required; the native output still needs USB-C video support | Costs $60 more; it cannot bypass the host's native display limit |
| Best fit (Sigma assessment) | You need three displays on a compatible host and can install DisplayLink | You want native video without DisplayLink and the host supports your display layout |
| Official sources | Plugable: UD-6950PDZ hybrid docking station Plugable: UD-6950PDZ 60W and 100W hardware revisions |
Plugable: TBT4-UDZ US price and specifications Plugable: TBT4-UDZ display output capabilities |
Prices are US manufacturer references before tax and any delivery charge. The advertised free three-day delivery applies to the continental US; it does not establish free delivery to Hawaiʻi. Source links identify the actual models and compatibility documentation.
Which one solves your display problem?
The UD-6950PDZ is useful when the laptop’s native display allowance is the obstacle. Its DisplayLink-driven outputs can add screens beyond some hosts’ native limits. That benefit comes with software deployment and, on a Mac, a required permission. Your IT team must allow and maintain the driver.
The TBT4-UDZ is a stronger starting point when you want native video and the laptop already supports the required layout. Four video connectors do not guarantee four independent screens on every computer. Match the computer model, operating system, resolution and refresh rate to Plugable’s compatibility guidance before ordering.
Both products can be suitable for office work. Neither a Thunderbolt logo nor a higher price proves that a particular laptop will support another display. Test a demanding application and any protected-video workflow before standardizing a fleet.
Check charging and network requirements
The UD-6950PDZ changed from 60W to 100W charging in a hardware revision. Buying older stock can therefore create a different charging result from the current product page. Put the revision or charging requirement in the order.
A laptop that needs more than 100W under sustained load may still need its own charger. Also, the TBT4-UDZ’s 2.5Gbps Ethernet only provides a higher usable link when the connected network supports it. It does not turn a slower internet service into a faster one.
What does a ten-desk rollout cost?
At the listed hardware prices, ten UD-6950PDZ units total $2,299.90; ten TBT4-UDZ units total $2,899.90. The difference is $600, before monitors, cables, tax, shipping and installation. A driver-supported dock that works correctly can be a better purchase than a more expensive native dock that cannot drive the required screens.
Ask Sigma for a dock proposal matched to the laptop models, monitor connections and charging needs. That compatibility decision should come before the volume order.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Which laptops will use the dock, and how many external screens do they support natively?
- Can our IT team deploy and maintain the DisplayLink driver?
- Do any laptops need more than 100W while charging?
- What does shipping to Hawaiʻi cost for our quantity?
What Hawaiʻi businesses should check
Plugable’s free three-day delivery applies to the continental US. Confirm the shipping cost and time to Hawaiʻi before ordering in volume.
Frequently asked questions
Which Plugable dock works best with a MacBook Air?
For base M1 or M2 Macs that need more than one external screen, the DisplayLink-based UD-6950PDZ. The TBT4-UDZ supports only one external display on those models.
Sources and pricing notes
Prices and specifications checked September 27, 2026 against the providers’ published sources below. Prices are US list or published rates before taxes, fees and equipment unless stated; offers change, so confirm the current terms before you buy.
- Plugable. UD-6950PDZ hybrid docking station
- Plugable. UD-6950PDZ 60W and 100W hardware revisions
- Plugable. TBT4-UDZ display output capabilities
- Plugable. DisplayLink drivers and docking stations
- Plugable. TBT4-UDZ US price and specifications
How Sigma is paid. Sigma is a Hawaiʻi technology advisor. Provider or reseller partners compensate Sigma; product and service prices may include a margin. No procurement fee applies. Standalone consulting is quoted separately.