EZQuest’s Pro Series USB 4 Dual Display 8-in-1 hub
good and bad
- Advanced features like Fast Role Swap make this a reliable unit.
- We don’t need an AC power brick.
- Its design is very compact and lightweight.
- If you lose or forget the input cable, the dock is useless.
- It does not have a built-in Ethernet port.
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Although manufacturers want to reduce the number of ports on laptops and desktop systems to save a few bucks, their demand among end users has never been higher.
The obvious solution is to throw a dock into the equation, but this is always a compromise, and the trick is to choose a dock that brings the most to the table with the least compromise.
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This is especially true with a portable booth because the last thing you want to buy is a booth that requires a large brick of AC power that weighs several pounds.
For the past few months, I have been using EZQuest’s Pro Series USB 4 Dual Display 8-in-1 huband with one more device, it replaced all my other docks.
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So, what makes this dock special?
It’s powered by Intel’s “Hoover Ridge” JHL8140 chipset, a cut-down (another phrase for cost-cutting) version of Intel’s JHL8440 “Goshen Ridge” chip found in many large docks, which are fully equipped with Thunderbolt 4. The drawback of the JHL8440 is that docks built around this chipset require an external power brick. That’s fine for desktop use, but not particularly portable or friendly when it comes to travel.
Also: I tested this fan-mounted MagSafe charger in a heat wave — and it actually kept my iPhone cool.
This EZQuest 8-in-1 measures 5.5 × 1.7 × 0.4 inches and weighs 1.6 ounces. That size and weight is perfect for slipping into a laptop bag.
It’s small and lightweight, yet packs a full set of 8-in-1 features.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Besides cutting costs, the JHL8140 chipset supports full DisplayPort 1.4a video over a USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 link, and unlike third-party controllers like VIA Labs or Realtek, it’s real Intel silicon.
How does this dock protect against data loss
The USB 4 Dual Display 8-in-1 hub has nine USB-C ports in total. One connects to the host device, and the other is a 100W PD (Power Delivery) input that can feed power to the dock. The dock can split that power — up to 77W to charge the laptop and 23W to use the dock.
Also: Use multiple monitors? Why I recommend this docking station for both Windows and Mac
The weakness of some cheap docks is that if the power goes down, there is a risk of data loss and peripherals going down unkindly. This dock supports a technology called Fast Role Swap (FRS), a feature of USB Power Delivery 3.0+ that allows the dock to quickly switch to drawing power from the host device if the input fails.
Another strong point is that the host input is a port, not a built-in cable.
The host’s input cable is detachable, which is a feature I like to see in a dock.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
This means that if the cable is damaged, you can use a different one. The downside is that if you forget or lose the cable — it comes with a 19.6-inch cord — your dock is a paperweight. Also, if you end up using a lower-spec cable — this one is rated for 240W and 40Gbps — then performance will suffer.
Don’t just lose the cable!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The dock has three USB 4 ports that support 8K video output at 30Hz, 10Gbps Gen 2 data speed, and up to 15W output power, and four more USB-C Gen 2 ports that support 10Gbps data speed and 7.5W (5V/1.5A) power output.
The video output ports support up to 8K/30Hz for one display or two 4K@60Hz displays.
I tested the performance of all the ports, and even the most used ports, deliver what is promised in the specification sheet.
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Dual display is supported on all major operating systems — Windows, Linux, Android, Chrome OS, and macOS systems using M1/M2/M3 Pro or Max chips, as well as all M4 and M5 chips (and later).
One thing I added
One accessory I added is a USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
So, what’s one resource I added to the dock to take it from great to perfect? It is a USB-C to Ethernet adapterwhich will set you back about $25. Why? I need Ethernet often, but not often enough to need a dock with a dedicated Ethernet port, so this is a good compromise.
Also: I tested my USB-C cables with this free app for Mac – some weren’t what they were asking for
If you need Ethernet regularly, you may be better off choosing a dock with one, such as EZQuest 12-in-1 USB-C hub or the greatest USB-C triple display dock station.
ZDNET shopping advice
At $120, the EZQuest Pro Series USB 4 Dual Display 8-in-1 hub isn’t cheap, but if you need what it offers, it’s a dock worth the money. I’ve been using this on both my MacBook Pro and several mini PCs and have had no issues with it. I even tested the FRS while the external drives were attached to the dock, and the power switched just fine.
Also: I’ve checked out the best laptop docking stations – here’s what I recommend for your office setup
If you need a dock to connect a USB stick, then this will be overkill (and you’re better off with something like this), but if you’re going to rely on the dock to do the actual work and the port configuration and details on the line, this is a unit that won’t disappoint.
