PSA: I finally found a docking station (for cheap) that lets me use my dual 4K monitor setup with both my M1 Pro MBP and my Wintel laptops (DL)

[izzy0242mr]

This may be basic knowledge for some folks but I recently got a DisplayLink dock and it works amazingly with both my M1 Pro MacBook Pro and my Intel Windows laptop (Lenovo). I know Thunderbolt is better but I really just didn't want to spend much money.

I think I lucked out because I found this eBay seller who is currently selling a lot of used docks, some of which are DisplayLink, and many of which appear to be $100-200 docks that they're selling for like $25-30. Not sure why, maybe they just came into a bunch of surplus, but it's a great deal. At any rate, I know DisplayLink has some hate, but so far everything I've done works fine. I just like having both of my 4K monitors working on both macOS and Windows and not having to switch docks completely like I've had to do in the past. Now, I can simply just plug/unplug the USB C cable from the dock to either the Mac or the Wintel laptop and it works like it should. Obviously I did have to install the DisplayLink driver.

The specific dock that worked for me is the Codi A01200, which retails for $262. I bought it used on eBay for $25. In case anyone else is looking for something similar, this is my review. I have a friend with an M1 MacBook Air and I want to see how it'll work with that, so I'll update this post when I get a chance to test that out.

(This is not an ad, I am not the seller, I have no affiliations with this seller, I'm just a random joe, see my post history. I thought I'd pass along my good findings.)

 

[drrich2]

The specific dock that worked for me is the Codi A01200, which retails for $262. I bought it used on eBay for $25.

That does sound like an exceptionally good price, though I suspect the MSRP is pretty 'dated.'

1.) HDMI 2.0 sounds okay but DisplayPort 1.2 is old.
2.) The 4 USB-A ports are 3.0, not 3.2, though the 2 USB-C ports are 3.1.

But if it works and you only spent $25, that rocks!

Do you run both 4K displays at the same time off a given computer?

 

[izzy0242mr]

That does sound like an exceptionally good price, though I suspect the MSRP is pretty 'dated.'

1.) HDMI 2.0 sounds okay but DisplayPort 1.2 is old.
2.) The 4 USB-A ports are 3.0, not 3.2, though the 2 USB-C ports are 3.1.

But if it works and you only spent $25, that rocks!

Do you run both 4K displays at the same time off a given computer?

Fair enough—I hadn't checked DP 1.2, but not too familiar with the benefits of 1.4 (which is the latest?) vs 1.2. I figure if I don't know the difference, it probably won't matter too much for me. USB 3 is fine and since it has some 3.1 USB C ports, that's more than good enough for me!

Yep, both 4K displays simultaneously from a single computer (which I keep open for a total of 3 screens).

 

[drrich2]

I hadn't checked DP 1.2, but not too familiar with the benefits of 1.4 (which is the latest?) vs 1.2. I figure if I don't know the difference, it probably won't matter too much for me. USB 3 is fine and since it has some 3.1 USB C ports, that's more than good enough for me!

It may not make a practical difference for you. I used the Wikipedia page on DisplayPort when I was trying to get a vague handle on it. Version 1.2 was introduced Jan. 2010, and can support 4K resolution at 60 Hz. Per this bit - "The most significant improvement of this version is the doubling of the data rate to 17.28 Gbit/s in High Bit Rate 2 (HBR2) mode, which allows increased resolutions, higher refresh rates, and greater color depth, such as 3840 × 2160 at 60 Hz 10 bpc RGB."

Per the article, with DP 1.3 - "This bandwidth is enough for a 4K UHD display (3840 × 2160) at 120 Hz with 24 bit/px RGB color, a 5K display (5120 × 2880) at 60 Hz with 30 bit/px RGB color, or an 8K UHD display (7680 × 4320) at 30 Hz with 24 bit/px RGB color."

"Using Multi-Stream Transport (MST), a DisplayPort port can drive two 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) displays at 60 Hz..."

DP 1.4 came out March 2016; the latest version mentioned in that Wikipedia page: "2.1b VESA announced version 2.1b of the DisplayPort standard on January 6, 2025. It will be released in Spring 2025.[35]"

With HDMI and DisplayPort, there may be substantial lag between standard release and widespread adoption, and older version may still be common in products.

If you shop for lower end Windows PCs, pay attention to what version HDMI or DisplayPort they support, and whether any USB-C port is 'data only' or also supports video out (if you intend to drive a display using that port).

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I had a somewhat similar experience; I picked up a $90 used Caldigit TS3+ Thunderbolt 3 dock off FaceBook Marketplace, then learned the USB-C ports don't support video out, though the single Thunderbolt 3 port does (and it's got a DisplayPort 1.2).

P.S.: If this sounds like hairsplitting, here's why I make an issue of DP 1.2. Years ago, I bought a nice 4K 27" display, a Philips Brilliance 279P1 and hooked it up via USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode). It uses DisplayPort 1.4 and can do 4K at 60 Hz, but there's a catch. It has hub function, some USB ports, but unless you restrict them to USB 2 speeds instead of USB 3 speeds, you might get 30 Hz refresh rate rather than 60 Hz. In the Amazon reviews, J. T. Rhea wrote: "And I had no problem getting 60fps at 4K and still getting the USB 3 speeds as many have complained." My point is, consider all you plan to do when deciding on bandwidth needs. I like DisplayPort 1.4 or higher so I have some overhead.

P.S.#2: To sum it up, if you're just using a plain 4K display with no hub function (i.e.: no USB ports), then DP 1.2 may be fine. I elaborated hoping it might help someone else who stumbles across this thread, since I could've used the help last year.