Ethanet Multi-Port USB-C Laptop Docking Station / Hub Review
Ethanet 12 ports, include 4K HDMI, 4K DisplayPort, VGA, USB-C PD 3.0 100W, USB-C (5Gbps), USB-A 3.0 (5Gbps), USB-A 2.0, (1Gbps), Ethernet, SD + MicroSD card readers, and a 3.5mm audio jack
Laptops seem to shed ports every year, requiring the use of USB Hubs to accommodate your legacy peripherals, ethernet connectivity and various SD card sizes. We’ve reviewed OWC’s excellent hubs in the past (See OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock review. —Ed.), but they’re a bit bulbous and weighty to carry around on a daily basis. While others may have a slimmer silhouette, they lack the variety of ports necessary to save the day. Enter Ethanet’s 12-in-1 Multi-Port Laptop Docking Station, a portable USB-C solution which also doubles as a laptop stand.
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What stands out immediately is that Ethanet’s Docking Station is made of quality aluminum, giving it modern aesthetic and lux feel in the hand. The aluminum also acts like a heatsink to dissipate rising temperatures if the majority of ports are in use, and while using the USB-C PD (see below). The wedge shaped hub is 10.75″ long, perfect to sit comfortably underneath most laptops and providing the ideal amount of lift to angle your computer’s keyboard while seated. A rubber strip along the top provided excellent grip to keep your computer firmly planted.
Ethanet’s Docking Station is made of quality aluminum, giving it modern aesthetic and lux feel…
The Ethanet’s 12 ports, include 4K HDMI, 4K DisplayPort, VGA, USB-C PD 3.0 100W, USB-C (5Gbps), USB-A 3.0 (5Gbps), USB-A 2.0, (1Gbps), Ethernet, SD + MicroSD card readers, and a 3.5mm audio jack. If your computer can support multiple displays, we were able to run two from the hub without a problem on a MacBook Pro.
Ethanet’s Laptop Docking Station features 100w Pass Through Power Delivery, meaning that the hub can pass up to 100 watts of power from a power source through to the laptop, while still allowing you to use the hub’s ports for devices like external drives, monitors, or peripherals. While PD can be great for streamlining your cabling, there are some limitations, including the fact that the hub usually steals 5-15w of the power from the pass through, so you’re only really getting 85w of power. You also need to make sure you have a USB-C cable that’s rated for 100w and that your laptop supports charging via USB-C PD. Finally, PD can generate additional heat to the hub, which is why the aluminum enclosure can help mitigate a rise in operation temperature. That said, you can power your MacBook with its OEM charger and use the PD port to separately power the hub, eliminating the need for the Dock to do all the heavy lifting.
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It only costs $75 and comes with a one-year warranty
In our tests, the Ethanet Dock was able to handle an additional SSD drive, a MIDI Controller Keyboard, an Ethernet connection, USB MIDI to a synth and an external monitor without breaking a sweat. Even better, it only costs $75 and comes with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects and workmanship under normal use.
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Ethanet Laptop Docking Station Features:
- 12 ports including 4K HDMI, 4K DisplayPort, VGA, USB-C PD 3.0 100W, USB-C (5Gbps), USB-A 3.0 (5Gbps), USB-A 2.0, 1Gbps Ethernet, SD and MicroSD card readers and a 3.5mm audio jack.
- 100w Pass-Through Power (85w Usable For Laptop Power) Charge your laptop without sacrificing port expansion. Can be also used to just power the hub.
- Up To 5Gbps Data Transfer Fast USB-C data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps between your computer and devices.
- Laptop Stand: The docking station tucks nicely under your computer as a laptop stand
- Multiple Displays: Connect multiple displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and VGA ports. The HDMI docking station supports high-definition display resolutions of up to 4K.
- Robust Build: Tough aluminum enclosure for ruggedness and heat dissipation.
- Dimensions: 10.75″ L x 3″ W x 0.63″ H
- Weight: 9.1 Ounces
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Conclusion
A great looking portable dock with a variety of useful ports at a great price – what else could you ask for? Highly Recommended.
Ethanet Multi-Port Dockstation Rating: 94%
Cheers:
+ Well built
+ Sleek Design
+ Wide Variety Of Connectivity
+ Laptop Stand
+ PD 3.0 Power Delivery
Jeers:
– Larger Than Most Portable Hubs
– No S/PDIF
Ethanet’s Multi-Port Hub Dock Station costs $75.
The Future: We’d love to see a digital audio connection in the next version, as well as an analog audio input.
