Review on 💻 Targus USB-C Universal Dual Video 4K Laptop Docking Station: Ultimate Charging Power, Audio, & 4 USB Ports for PC, Mac, & Android (DOCK180USZ) by Brandon Grzankowski

Tried this docking station on several different laptops via USB-A, USB-C (3.1 and Thunderbolt 3). As long as it works, I wouldn't call it "universal". It doesn't use the host's set capabilities, but instead always uses what works on all laptops - DisplayLink. Even on a TB3 laptop that supports DP Alternate Mode, DisplayLink is still used. Why is that important you ask? Well, it's driver based, that's why. I have to open my laptop to enter my BitLocker password or select an operating system to boot because until you get into your operating system, the external monitors don't light up. Same for other hardware - I'm not even sure if the PXE boot will work with this "dock". Yes, I might be spoiled with Thinkpad docks being proper docking stations/port replicators, but that's it. It's just a USB hub with many devices connected to it, such as an Ethernet adapter, a sound card, etc., and in order for all of these devices to work, you need to install drivers and not use the ones on your laptop. I kind of understand what USB "docking stations" are, but at least they can rely on MST for display when it's available.