USB-C Docks Gain Thunderbolt Power via DisplayLink

A third option for laptop port expansion is emerging, blending the capabilities of USB-C hubs and Thunderbolt docking stations. DisplayLink docking stations use data compression to bring Thunderbolt-like features, including multi-display support, to standard USB-C ports. This technology is particularly beneficial for office productivity, offering a more stable and often cheaper solution than previous docking technologies.

While standard USB-C offers limited bandwidth, and Thunderbolt provides 40Gbps, DisplayLink effectively bypasses these limitations through compression. This allows multiple high-resolution displays to be driven, even exceeding what native Thunderbolt docks can manage. However, this compression comes with a caveat: gaming performance can be impacted, though office applications and video streaming remain unaffected.