Plugable Launches Its First-Ever Chromebook-Certified Docking Station

Many people use Chromebooks because these slim and light laptops offer most of the functionality that people like schoolchildren need but at a sensible price. Now US computer accessory brand Plugable has announced in a press release that it’s now shipping a USB-C Dual Display Docking Station made especially for Chromebooks.

Google has validated the new device to ensure it functions seamlessly in the Google ecosystem and it’s now one of the few docks to have received the official Works With Chromebook certification.

Plugable has partnered with Google to design the product to work specifically for the Chromebook ecosystem and it’s the company’s first-ever Works With Chromebook docking station. The UD-MSTHDC can turn a USB-C Chromebook or Windows laptop into a fully functional workspace by adding the capability to add two displays, Ethernet, plenty of USB ports and more.

With its excellent security, simplicity of use and low cost, the Chromebook system has become a popular choice for students, teachers and government employees. However, many people may not know that the Chromebook has plenty of scope to be expanded. The Plugable UD-MSTHDC docking station can upgrade a Chromebook to drive two extended displays using HDMI or DisplayPort connections. It can even use a combination of both. The two displays can be up to 4K resolution and have a refresh rate of 60Hz.

Regarding charging, the UD-MSTHDC offers 60W host charging so the user can both power and charge their Chromebook simultaneously. The dock offers Gigabit Ethernet, a combination audio port, four USB 5Gbps ports, two USB 10Gbps ports, and a single USB-C 10Gbps port. That’s enough connectivity to elevate a Chromebook into a handy workstation.

Google’s Works With Chromebook program ensures that devices have been validated to work seamlessly with current and future ChromeOS devices. The product must meet specific criteria and features to ensure it fits well with other ChromeOS devices. The UD-MSTHDC is a Google reference design manufactured specifically for Plugable. The company says the dock has been rigorously tested by Google, making it one of the few models on the market bearing the official Works With Chromebook certification.

As a WWCB-certified dock, users also get other benefits like automatic secure firmware updates when connected to a Chromebook so users can always have the latest compatibility improvements and features. The dock also provides flexible HDMI or DisplayPort connectivity so that the dock can work with a wide range of monitors in enterprise and remote working environments

Many large organizations have a mixture of laptops and platforms for their employees. And although the UD-MSTHDC has been designed for ChromeOS, it’s also compatible with Windows devices. The docking station provides full functionality to Windows 11 and Windows 10, with support for VESA DisplayPort Alternate Mode over USB-C. Laptops with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB4 ports also support VESA DisplayPort Alternate Mode on those same ports.

The new dock can also be used with Macs; however, because of the lack of MST functionality in macOS, the dock only enables one additional extended display and only in mirror mode.

Pricing & Availability: The new Plugable UD-MSTHDC Works With Chromebook Docking Station is available now from Amazon and costs $199 with a $15 off coupon.

More info: plugable.com