Head-to-Head: Plugable TBT4-UD5 vs HP USB-C Dock G5 for Business

Today, we will be looking at the Plugable TBT4-UD5, and comparing it to the HP USB-C Dock G5 for Business. Both of these docks can natively support multiple 4K displays, but there are some significant differences that make the TBT4-UD5 the more appealing package for your business.

Feature Comparison: Plugable TBT4-UD5 vs HP USB-C Dock G5 for Business

Why The TBT4-UD5 Pulls Ahead

Price

At the date of publish, the TBT4-UD5 comes in at under $200, which is cheaper than the HP dock. While it may not be too significant for a single unit, scaling this price difference across an entire office or business can result in huge savings. Not to mention some of the additional features you get with the TBT4-UD5 at this cheaper price point!

Port Selection

The TBT4-UD5 has 13 downstream ports compared to the HP dock’s 10 ports. The TBT4-UD5 comes with built-in SD card readers that can handle full-size and microSD cards, which is not available on the HP dock.

One of the downstream USB-C ports is a Thunderbolt 4 port, which supports 40Gbps bandwidth and can connect to monitors up to 8K resolution. This means that Thunderbolt 4 SSDs, external GPUs, and Thunderbolt monitors can all be connected to this port. The HP dock has a downstream USB-C port, but it only supports data and power which limits the devices that you can connect to.

Monitor Support

It is worth noting that the HP dock can support up to 3x 4K displays, whereas the TBT4-UD5 can only support two. However, 3x 4K displays on the HP dock are only possible on hosts with USB-C ports that support DisplayPort 1.4 and Display Stream Compression.  If 3 monitors are necessary for your setup, the addition of USB graphics adapters to the TBT4-UD5 could allow you to add more displays.

While the TBT4-UD5 only supports 2x displays natively, they can both be connected via HDMI if desired, which is compatible with nearly every modern monitor. The HP dock offers one HDMI port and two DisplayPort outputs. While DisplayPort is also available on a lot of monitors, it is less common than HDMI, which may require additional adapters. The TBT4-UD5 also allows you to connect to USB-C monitors via the downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, which cannot be done on the HP dock without an adapter. It is important to note that if you connect a monitor via the downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, only one HDMI port will be able to connect to a second external monitor.

Host Connectivity

The TBT4-UD5 features a replaceable USB-C cable, addressing a significant pain point of fixed cable designs like the one on the HP dock. This reduces downtime if the cable becomes damaged—an essential consideration for IT teams striving to minimize disruptions. This also allows you to replace the cable with a longer one if the setup requires it.

Certifications

The TBT4-UD5 is both Thunderbolt Certified and part of the Engineered for Evo program. The TBT4-UD5 has gone through an extensive and rigorous testing process by Intel to ensure it meets the requirements for both of these certifications. This translates to confirmed compatibility with Thunderbolt ports as well as Evo laptops. While the HP dock may still be compatible with these laptops, it has not been as thoroughly tested as the TBT4-UD5.

The TBT4-UD5 Comes Out on Top

Plugable’s TBT4-UD5 is the best choice for consumers and businesses alike. Compared to the HP dock, you get an increased port selection and peace of mind knowing that this dock is Thunderbolt-certified and Engineered for Evo. While it’s true the HP dock can support an additional display, you should also consider the fact that the TBT4-UD5 is significantly cheaper, especially when deployed across hundreds of desks. 

At Plugable, we also stand by our products and are committed to providing excellent support. If you reach out to us, you will be put in touch directly with our product experts, so you can purchase the TBT4-UD5  for your enterprise knowing that we have your back and are here to help.