Article Summary

The Plugable USBC-11IN1E delivers dual 4K 60Hz display outputs and blazing-fast UHS-II card reader speeds, outperforming the legacy video connections and slower UHS-I transfer rates found on the Kensington K33853WW mobile dock. This high-performance hub features a dedicated USB-C data port alongside 100W power pass-through to ensure modern peripherals stay connected without compromising host laptop charging efficiency. It provides mobile professionals and remote workers with an optimal driverless workstation upgrade that maximizes display real estate and data throughput. Deploying the best docking station for MacBook Pro mirroring or Windows MST extension streamlines multi-monitor multitasking during demanding business travel workloads.

When it comes to feature-rich mobile USB-C hubs, the Plugable USBC-11IN1E can match up with the best.

Today, we are putting two popular bus-powered hubs head-to-head to help you make an informed decision: the Plugable 11-in-1 USB-C Hub (USBC-11IN1E) and the Kensington UH1440P USB-C 5Gbps Dual Video Driverless Mobile Dock (K33853WW).

Both devices bring plenty of ports for your devices and monitors, but one is clearly ahead in compatibility for high-resolution displays, charging speeds, and ports for modern connectivity.

Quick Specs at a Glance

機能	Plugable USBC-11IN1E	Kensington K33853WW
合計ポート数	11 Total Connectivity Ports	10 Total Connectivity Ports
Display Output	Dual 4K @ 60Hz Video (via 2x HDMI)	Up to Single 4K @ 30Hz or dual 1080p @ 60Hz Video (via DP/HDMI/VGA)
USB ポート数	1x USB-C 3.0 (5Gbps) 3x USB 3.0 (5Gbps)	3x USB 3.0 (5Gbps)
イーサネット	Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps)	Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps)
PD 充電規格	100W USB-C Power Pass-Through (92W available to host system)	85W USB-C Power Pass-Through
SD Card Readers	Micro SD (UHS-I) 104 MB/s SD/SDHC or SDXC/MMC (UHS-II) 312 MB/s	SD/Micro SD (UHS-I) 104 MB/s
オーディオ	1x 3.5mm audio combo jack (TRRS mic/line)	1x 3.5mm audio combo jack (TRRS mic/line)
互換性	Windows 10+, ChromeOS, on Mac add one extended 4K 60Hz display or two mirrored displays. To achieve dual 4K 60Hz, the host must support DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC) over USB-C or feature a Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 port.	Windows 10+, Mac, iPadOS 13+, Samsung DeX. Supports Thunderbolt 3/4 or USB3.2 Gen1 Type-C port.

The USBC-11IN1E Advantage

Display Output and Resolution Capabilities

Plugable USBC-11IN1E:

The Plugable 11-in-1 USB-C Hub features two HDMI 2.0 ports capable of driving dual 4K displays at a smooth 60Hz refresh rate.

Kensington K33853WW:

Kensington K33853WW relies on a mixture of DisplayPort, HDMI, and legacy VGA ports, capping out at dual 1080p @ 60Hz or a single display at 4K @ 30Hz
VGA might occasionally be useful for old monitors or projectors, but it's rarely seen on modern displays.

Peripheral Expansion and High-Speed Data

Plugable USBC-11IN1E:

Plugable USBC-11IN1E offers 3x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB-C data port, SD and MicroSD card slots, Gigabit Ethernet, and 2x HDMI ports.
The downstream USB-C data port is a key differentiator as it adds a USB-C peripheral connection after the hub is connected to the host system.
The full-size SD card reader on the USBC-11IN1E supports Ultra High Speed II, up to 312 MB/s (UHS-II), while the microSD reader supports Ultra High Speed I, up to 104 MB/s (UHS-I). With compatible UHS-II full-size SD media, the maximum interface rate is up to three times higher than standard UHS-I.

Kensington K33853WW:

Kensington K33853WW provides 3x USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm audio jack
Its Micro/SD card slots operate at Ultra High Speed I, up to 104 MB/s (UHS-I). Compared with the Plugable USBC-11IN1E's full-size UHS-II SD reader, this provides a lower maximum interface rate. The Plugable microSD reader is also UHS-I.

Power Pass-Through and Charging Efficiency

Because both of these hubs are designed for mobility, they do not include their own bulky power bricks. Instead, they leverage USB-C Power Delivery (PD) pass-through. You plug your laptop's USB-C charger directly into the hub, and the hub siphons off a small amount of power to run its internal components while passing the rest through to charge your host device.

Plugable USBC-11IN1E:

The Plugable USBC-11IN1E supports up to 100W power pass-through, providing faster charging capabilities than the Kensington K33853WW 85W limit.
When using a 100W USB-C power adapter, 92W will be available to the host system as the hub reserves 8W for its ports.
We recommend using a 100W charger for best performance.

Kensington K33853WW:

The Kensington K33853WW provides 85W of pass-through power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know if my computer supports Multi-Stream Transport (MST)?

DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) is the underlying hardware technology that allows a single USB-C port to output video to multiple independent displays. To verify MST support, you must check your host laptop's processor and port specifications. For full dual 4K 60Hz output with the USBC-11IN1E, the host must support DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC) over USB-C. DisplayPort 1.4 support alone does not necessarily guarantee the maximum dual-display configuration. Laptops equipped with Intel 12th generation (or newer) CPUs generally support DisplayPort 1.4, which easily handles dual 4K 60Hz displays via MST. Older DisplayPort 1.2 hosts will typically support MST but may be limited to dual 1080p 60Hz. Always check your laptop manufacturer's documentation for "DisplayPort Alternate Mode" and "MST" and, when targeting dual 4K 60Hz, DSC capabilities.

Do I need to install drivers for a dual monitor docking station?

No driver installation is required when using hardware-level USB-C hubs like the Plugable USBC-11IN1E. This hub utilizes DisplayPort Alternate Mode (Alt Mode) to route video directly from your system's GPU through the USB-C port. Because they rely on native hardware protocols rather than software virtualization (like DisplayLink), they are entirely "plug-and-play." This driverless design is highly favored by IT departments because it bypasses administrative permission requirements and eliminates software conflicts during deployment.

Do Macs support DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST)?

macOS does not support DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) for multiple extended displays. When you connect a dual-monitor MST hub like the Plugable USBC-11IN1E, the macOS limitation forces the external monitors to mirror each other. You will receive one extended display desktop, but both physical external monitors will show the exact same image.

Conclusion: The Clear Winner for High-Performance Workspaces

The Plugable USBC-11IN1E delivers higher supported display resolutions on compatible hosts and additional connectivity options compared to the Kensington K33853WW.

While both devices offer the convenience of driverless, plug-and-play operation, the Plugable 11-in-1 USB-C Hub offers specific advantages for users who prioritize dual 4K 60Hz output on compatible Windows and ChromeOS systems, a downstream USB-C data port, UHS-II full-size SD support, and a higher maximum charging ceiling.

Plugable's direct-access support model dramatically reduces IT headaches and minimizes downtime for end-users. Plugable backs every deployment with lifetime North American-based technical support and a 2-year limited warranty.