Buy a dock for the screens your laptop can actually drive. A base M1 or M2 MacBook Air supports one external display, so an expensive Thunderbolt dock still gives it one screen. A DisplayLink dock gets around that limit. Windows laptops with Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 can run up to four screens through the right dock.
These four cover the common cases, each for a different laptop:
- CalDigit TS4 for a Thunderbolt laptop that needs the most ports and charging.
- Plugable TBT4-UDZ for driving more screens from a Windows Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 laptop.
- Plugable UD-6950PDH for two screens on a base M1 or M2 MacBook.
- Dell UD22 for an office full of different USB-C Windows laptops.
This guide is AI-generated from manufacturer documentation. GearExplained did not test these docks. The product cards at the end link to Amazon, and GearExplained may earn a commission. That does not decide which docks appear here.
Check your laptop before you pick a dock
Display support depends on three things: the laptop's chip, the port you plug into and how the dock sends video. Get those right and the dock choice gets easy.
Apple's spec page for the MacBook Air with M2 lists support for one external display at up to 6K. Plugable's TBT4-UDZ page states the same limit for base M1 and M2 chips, and notes that an M3 can run two external screens with its lid closed. M4 and M5 Macs, and every Pro or Max chip, can run two through that dock.
Windows laptops vary more. Plugable says Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Windows laptops can drive up to four 4K screens through the TBT4-UDZ, while Thunderbolt 3 and plain USB-C models top out at two. Check your laptop maker's spec sheet for its own limit.
DisplayLink is the exception. It sends display data over USB with a software driver, so it can add screens a laptop would not run natively. The cost is a driver install and, on macOS with the Plugable dock, no playback of copy-protected video.
1. CalDigit TS4: the Thunderbolt dock with the most ports
The TS4 suits a Thunderbolt laptop on a desk that needs a lot plugged in. CalDigit lists 18 ports: three Thunderbolt 4, three 10Gbps USB-C, five 10Gbps USB-A, DisplayPort 1.4, full-size SD and microSD UHS-II readers, 2.5Gb Ethernet and audio. It delivers up to 98W to the laptop from a 230W power supply.
Its display support is where buyers get caught. CalDigit says the TS4 runs two 6K screens on M1 Pro and M1 Max Macs and two 4K 60Hz screens on Intel Macs, Windows and ChromeOS. It also says original M1 Macs do not support dual displays. If you have a base M1 or M2 MacBook, this dock gives you one external screen.
Choose it if you want one cable for charging, storage, network and one or two screens on a Thunderbolt laptop. Skip it if you need two screens from a base M1 or M2 Mac.
2. Plugable TBT4-UDZ: the most screens from a Windows laptop
The TBT4-UDZ has two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs, so screens plug straight in without adapters. On Windows Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 laptops, Plugable says it runs up to four 4K 60Hz screens. On a Mac it runs two 4K screens with M3 lid closed, M4, M5 or any Pro or Max chip, and one with base M1 and M2.
It charges at up to 100W, which Plugable notes is 98W certified. You also get 10Gbps USB-C, three 10Gbps USB ports, two 5Gbps USB ports, a USB 2.0 charging port, SD and microSD slots, audio and 2.5Gb Ethernet.
Choose it for a Windows Thunderbolt 4 laptop driving three or four screens, or a newer Mac driving two. It is a vertical tower, so it takes more desk space than a flat dock.
3. Plugable UD-6950PDH: two screens on a base MacBook
This is the dock for an M1 or M2 MacBook Air that needs two external screens. It uses DisplayLink, and Plugable says it enables two 4K 60Hz screens on M1 through M5 Macs, base models included. It also works with Windows and ChromeOS on USB-C, Thunderbolt and USB4 laptops.
The tradeoffs are real. You must install the DisplayLink driver, and macOS asks you to grant it Screen Recording permission. Plugable also says HDCP is not supported on macOS while the dock is connected, so protected video from streaming services will not play on any screen, including the laptop's own.
It charges the laptop at up to 100W and adds USB-C and USB-A ports, SD and microSD readers, Ethernet and a headset jack. The front ports only supply up to 7.5W, so they will charge a phone slowly.
4. Dell UD22: a universal dock for mixed Windows fleets
The UD22 is built for offices where people bring different USB-C laptops to the same desk. Its user guide lists two DisplayPort 1.2 outputs, HDMI 2.0 and a USB-C port with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode, plus Ethernet and USB ports. It delivers up to 96W to the laptop.
It handles video two ways. With the DisplayLink driver installed, it runs up to four 4K 60Hz screens, provided the laptop's DisplayPort Alt Mode supports DP 1.4, HBR3 and DSC. Without the driver, it still works through DisplayPort Alt Mode, which helps when someone plugs in a laptop that has never seen the dock.
Some extras only work with Dell laptops. Wake on LAN from sleep and MAC address pass-through are limited to select Dell systems. If your laptops are not Dell, plan without those.
How the four compare
| Dock | Connects over | Screens | Laptop charging | Needs a driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CalDigit TS4 | Thunderbolt 4, 3, USB4 or USB-C | One or two, set by the laptop | 98W | No |
| Plugable TBT4-UDZ | Thunderbolt 4, 3, USB4 or USB-C | Up to four on Windows TB4 or USB4, two on newer Macs | 98W certified | No |
| Plugable UD-6950PDH | USB-C, Thunderbolt or USB4 | Two 4K 60Hz, base Macs included | 100W | Yes, DisplayLink |
| Dell UD22 | USB-C with DP Alt Mode | Up to four 4K 60Hz with DisplayLink | 96W | Only for the full screen count |
Which dock to buy
Start with your laptop. If it is a base M1 or M2 MacBook and you want two screens, buy the UD-6950PDH and accept the driver and the copy-protection limit. If it is a newer Mac or a Windows Thunderbolt laptop, pick between the TS4 for ports and the TBT4-UDZ for screen count. If you are equipping desks for several laptop brands, the UD22 is the practical choice.
Sources
- Apple, MacBook Air (M2, 2022) tech specs
- CalDigit, TS4 specifications and TS4 overview
- Plugable, TBT4-UDZ and UD-6950PDH product pages
- Dell, Universal Dock UD22 user guide
All sources were checked on October 5, 2026.
