Upgrade to Dual 4K: How This Revolutionary Display Adapter Outperforms Laptops Lacking Built-In Support | PCMag
Expand Your Visual Experience: How This Revolutionary Gadget Supports Dual √K Screens on Any Laptop | Insights
Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI adapter
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links
If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI adapter is available on Amazon for $90 .
- It’s small, portable dual-HDMI adapter that supports dual 4K 60Hz displays from a single Thunderbolt, USB4, or USB-C port, compatible with macOS 11+, Windows 10+, and ChromeOS 100+ systems.
- This adapter requires drivers to be installed to make use of DisplayLink, and it does not support High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) digital rights management.
There’s nothing like attaching a couple of extra displays to a laptop to boost productivity. Sure, it isn’t mobile anymore, but you gain the ability to transform your device into a powerful, versatile desktop setup.
The problem is, that not all laptops natively support dual displays, not even quite powerful, high-end systems such as the base M1, M2, and M3-powered Macs. These MacBooks only support a single external monitor.
Also: I love everything about this budget Android tablet (especially the price)
So, what can you do?
A simple solution is to use a USB-C to dual-HDMI dongle, such as the Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI adapter .
Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI adapter tech specs
- Connection to host: USB-C, Thunderbolt, or USB4
- OS compatibility: macOS, Windows, and ChromeOS
- Number of displays supported: 2
- Ports: 2 x HDMI
- Max resolution: 3840x2160 @ 60Hz
- Driver installation required: Yes
- HDCP support: No
Newsletters
ZDNET Recommends
ZDNET saves you time and money by delivering the best products and tech deals to your inbox every week.
Subscribe
Laptops were supposed to free us from the shackles of a desk and big displays. But as the power of portable systems has increased exponentially over the years, a laptop can now rival the power of a desktop, so it makes sense to have a single system for the office and for when you’re on the move. The only drawback is the display – there’s nothing like sitting in front of a couple of 4K displays to boost productivity.
Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI adapter
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This is exactly what the Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI adapter offers, and it works even on systems that don’t natively support dual displays. Plug it into a USB-C, Thunderbolt, or USB4 port, install the relevant DisplayLink drivers (a process that’s automatic on Windows systems, Mac users will have to go find them ), and you’re done.
It’s really that simple.
Also: This thermal camera gives your iPhone a cool superpower
While the target market for this adapter includes owners of Macs with the base M1, M2, or M3 chips – processors that don’t natively support dual displays – it also works on Windows and ChromeOS systems.
I’ve tested this adapter with dual 4K displays attached, and it works reliably on both macOS and Windows – the sort of reliability that I’d expect from a Plugable device.
ZDNET’s buying advice
Not everyone needs dual 4K displays connected to their laptop, but if you’re among those who do, the Plugable USB-C Dual HDMI adapter is a great buy if you find yourself with a system that doesn’t support two displays. At $90, it’s not cheap, but it is a solid, reliable solution that works well.
Featured reviews
3 features in Apple’s new AirPods 4 that made me ditch my AirPods Pros
Why I’m recommending the standard iPhone 16 over the Pro this year (and I’m not alone)
The Windows laptop I recommend to most people undercuts the MacBook Air (but is just as capable)
One of the best pool-cleaning robots I’ve tested proved its worth in the most extreme conditions
- 3 features in Apple’s new AirPods 4 that made me ditch my AirPods Pros
- Why I’m recommending the standard iPhone 16 over the Pro this year (and I’m not alone)
- The Windows laptop I recommend to most people undercuts the MacBook Air (but is just as capable)
- One of the best pool-cleaning robots I’ve tested proved its worth in the most extreme conditions
Also read:
- [Updated] A Quick Dive Into OBS-Zoom Fusion Steps for 2024
- 2024 Approved Top Mac MKV Players Compilation
- Artful Annotation Distortion Techniques for 2024
- Expert Gear Insights and Comparisons by Team Tom's Technology
- In 2024, What is Geo-Blocking and How to Bypass it On Samsung Galaxy S24? | Dr.fone
- In-Depth Evaluation of the EVGA SuperNova Series 850 Gen7 PSU: A Comprehensive Review
- In-Depth Evaluation: The NZXT C1500 Platinum PSU - A Comprehensive Review
- Install the Latest Drivers for TP-Link's Wireless Network Adapter: Optimized for Windows 11, 8 & Abstraction and Other Aspects of Cognitive Development
- Optimizing Posts Secrets to Higher Page Rank
- Revolutionary L-Formatted Power Units by Lian Li Ideal for Dual Chamber Gaming Rigs
- The Latest in Viewing: Hitachi's 4K Resolution Sets Comes With Pre-Installed Roku Technology
- Thermaltake's Dr. Power III: A Reliable Tool to Verify Your Power Supply Functionality - Now Featuring Support for Modern ATX Standards
- Title: Upgrade to Dual 4K: How This Revolutionary Display Adapter Outperforms Laptops Lacking Built-In Support | PCMag
- Author: George
- Created at : 2024-10-22 23:20:42
- Updated at : 2024-10-26 19:45:33
- Link: https://hardware-tips.techidaily.com/upgrade-to-dual-4k-how-this-revolutionary-display-adapter-outperforms-laptops-lacking-built-in-support-pcmag/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.