Plugable USBC-MD103 vs USBC-4IN1: Compact USB-C Hub Comparison

Plugable USBC-MD103 vs USBC-4IN1 at a glance

The Plugable USBC-MD103 and Plugable USBC-4IN1 are close cousins. Each is a small, driverless USB-C hub with a captive host cable, one HDMI output, and a USB-C Power Delivery input. Both are built around native DisplayPort Alt Mode rather than DisplayLink, so they can connect a compatible laptop or tablet to one HDMI screen without installing display software.

The distinction is simple. The USBC-MD103 is a three-port adapter for a basic HDMI, USB-A, and charging setup. The USBC-4IN1 costs $5 less at MSRP and adds a faster 10Gbps USB-C data port, a 10Gbps USB-A port, and a second USB-A 2.0 port. It also has the higher review score, 7.1 versus 6.8.

Short verdict: Choose the Plugable USBC-4IN1 for most one-monitor travel and light desk setups. It carries more useful ports, doubles the host data rate to 10Gbps, and preserves the same one-display, 4K 60Hz ceiling as the USBC-MD103. Choose the Plugable USBC-MD103 only when its simpler three-port layout and up-to-100W pass-through rating fit your needs better than extra USB connectivity.

Neither hub replaces a full docking station. They have no Ethernet, audio jack, card reader, second display connection, or detachable host cable. If those are everyday requirements, start with our docking station buying guide rather than trying to stretch either compact hub beyond its design.

Quick specs comparison

Ports and data speed

The USBC-MD103 makes a deliberate trade. Its only data connection is one USB-A 5Gbps port. That is enough for a keyboard receiver, mouse, flash drive, or occasional external drive, and it avoids making a small adapter more complicated than it needs to be. It does not offer a downstream USB-C data connection, another USB-A connection, or a lower-speed port dedicated to a keyboard or mouse.

The USBC-4IN1 offers a more useful split for people who carry an SSD or use more than one peripheral. Its USB-C port supports 10Gbps data when it is not accepting charger input. It also has one USB-A 10Gbps port and one USB-A 2.0 port. The faster ports are the right place for an external SSD or other bandwidth-sensitive device. The USB 2.0 port is a better fit for a mouse, keyboard, or wireless receiver.

That difference extends to the host side. The USBC-MD103 is specified for 5Gbps host data, while the USBC-4IN1 is specified for 10Gbps. A faster host connection does not turn every USB device into a faster device, but it gives the USBC-4IN1 a better starting point when a high-speed drive is connected to its 10Gbps USB-C or USB-A port.

The USBC-4IN1 wins this category because it provides a clearer way to separate fast storage from low-speed accessories. The MD103 is still reasonable if the one USB-A port is all you will use. It is the smaller port list, not a hidden display or compatibility advantage, that defines the choice.

Port winner: Plugable USBC-4IN1. It has three downstream USB connections rather than one, including two 10Gbps-capable options.

HDMI and external-display support

These hubs have the same fundamental video model. Both use native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode for one HDMI display, not DisplayLink. That means there is no display driver to install, which is useful when working on a managed laptop or a borrowed computer. It also means that the USB-C port on the laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or phone must support video output. A USB-C connector by itself is not enough.

Both product records list one 4K display at up to 60Hz on a compatible host with sufficient DisplayPort Alt Mode bandwidth. The MD103 notes that 4K 60Hz requires a DisplayPort 1.4 class host and may drop to 4K 30Hz when the host does not offer the required bandwidth. The USBC-4IN1 records the same 4K 30Hz fallback for restricted or older Alt Mode implementations. Both also list 1080p at 60Hz as a common mode for projectors, TVs, or older displays.

The USBC-4IN1 uses HDMI 2.0 and its 4K 60Hz listing includes HDR support. The MD103 is recorded with HDMI 1.4, although its product record also lists 4K at 60Hz on the right DisplayPort 1.4 class host. The practical rule is the same for either model: check the host’s USB-C video capability and use a known-good HDMI cable before expecting the top display mode.

There is one limitation worth stating plainly. Neither model can create a second external display. The MD103 has only one HDMI output. The USBC-4IN1 has only one HDMI output, and its downstream USB-C port does not carry video for a USB-C monitor. Neither uses MST, DisplayLink, or a Thunderbolt downstream display path. Base Apple Silicon MacBooks also retain their native external-display limit, because neither hub adds DisplayLink-driven displays.

For a dual-monitor setup, look at our best docking stations for dual monitors instead. This comparison is about two one-monitor travel hubs.

Display winner: Tie for monitor count and headline resolution. Both run one HDMI display up to 4K 60Hz on a suitable host. The USBC-4IN1 has HDMI 2.0 and a listed HDR mode, but it does not add a second screen.

Charging behavior

Both hubs have a USB-C Power Delivery input, and both need an external charger to pass power to the laptop. Neither includes that charger. Their stated limits differ in a useful way.

The USBC-MD103 lists pass-through charging up to 100W on compatible chargers and hosts. This makes its specification easy to understand if you have a laptop that accepts USB-C Power Delivery and a charger with enough output. Its product record also notes that unplugging the pass-through charger can temporarily disconnect the monitor and USB device, so it is best to connect power before settling into a presentation or desk session.

The USBC-4IN1 accepts up to 100W Power Delivery input and passes up to 92W to the host. The difference is reserved for the hub and attached devices. Its USB-C port is dual-purpose: it can be the 10Gbps data port or it can accept PD input, but it cannot do both jobs at once. That trade is sensible in a compact hub, though it matters if you expected to charge the laptop and connect a USB-C SSD through the same port.

In practice, the MD103 has the higher listed pass-through ceiling, while the USBC-4IN1 has the more capable peripheral layout. A laptop that needs more than 92W under load has a reason to favor the MD103, provided one USB-A port is enough. For many ultrabooks and light workloads, the USBC-4IN1’s 92W host output is still substantial.

Charging winner: Plugable USBC-MD103 by rated host output. Its record lists up to 100W pass-through, compared with up to 92W to the host for the USBC-4IN1. Both require a compatible USB-C PD charger and host.

Compatibility and setup

Both hubs work through standard USB-C capabilities rather than proprietary software. Their HDMI output depends on DisplayPort Alt Mode, and their charging depends on USB-C Power Delivery support. A data-only USB-C port may still work for attached USB accessories, but it cannot drive HDMI through either hub.

The USBC-MD103 lists Windows 10 or later, macOS 11 or later, ChromeOS, Linux, and Android support, with behavior tied to the host’s video and charging capabilities. It specifically calls out tested Samsung DeX-capable devices and explains that other Android phones or tablets need USB-C video output or desktop-mode support.

The USBC-4IN1 lists Windows 10 or later, macOS 11 or later, ChromeOS 100 or later, and Android. Its product record separately notes compatible USB-C iPads and recent iPhones, although device-level behavior still depends on video output or desktop-mode support. Both models state that they do not bypass Apple Silicon display limits.

The USBC-4IN1’s extra USB-C port is data-only from a video perspective. Do not buy it for a USB-C monitor. The MD103 does not create that confusion because it has no downstream USB-C data port at all. On the other hand, the USBC-4IN1 is more adaptable when the port is used for a 10Gbps drive or accessories instead of a display.

Compatibility winner: Tie. Both need the same core host features for HDMI and charging. The USBC-4IN1 adds a data-only USB-C option, while the MD103 keeps the layout simpler.

Value and the right use case

The USBC-4IN1 has the lower MSRP, $34.95 compared with $39.95 for the USBC-MD103. It also earns the higher score, 7.1 versus 6.8, and has a more flexible collection of data ports. That combination makes it the better value for a typical laptop bag, conference room, or one-monitor home setup.

The MD103 should not be dismissed as obsolete because it has fewer ports. Its single USB-A port, HDMI output, and up-to-100W pass-through charging cover the basics with little setup to think about. It is a fit for someone who connects a monitor, one USB accessory, and a charger, then packs the adapter away. It also avoids the USBC-4IN1’s dual-purpose USB-C decision because the MD103 reserves its USB-C connection for charging input.

The USBC-4IN1 is better for a person who regularly moves files from an SSD, uses a wired USB-C device, or needs separate ports for storage and a keyboard or receiver. Its USB 2.0 port is not a speed feature, but it is useful because it leaves the faster ports free for the devices that benefit from them.

Neither hub is the economical choice if your permanent desk requires Ethernet, an SD card reader, audio, multiple monitors, or a longer detachable cable. A larger model such as the Plugable USBC-7IN1E is a more suitable starting point for that sort of setup.

Verdict: USBC-4IN1 is the better compact hub for most people

The Plugable USBC-4IN1 wins because it retains the same core one-monitor, driverless HDMI experience while adding faster 10Gbps connectivity, a second USB-A port, a USB-C data option, a lower MSRP, and a higher 7.1 score. It is the stronger all-around companion for a modern USB-C laptop that needs HDMI plus real peripheral flexibility.

The USBC-MD103 has a narrower job. It is a valid choice when you want a basic one-display adapter with one USB-A port and the higher listed 100W pass-through charging ceiling. It is not the better choice for high-speed storage or several accessories, because those omissions are part of its three-port design.

Choose the Plugable USBC-MD103 if:

• You need one HDMI display, one USB-A accessory, and charging in the simplest possible layout.
• Your laptop can use the up-to-100W pass-through charging rating and you do not need multiple data ports.
• You do not need a downstream USB-C data port, Ethernet, card reader, or second display.
• You have confirmed that the host USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode for HDMI.

Choose the Plugable USBC-4IN1 if:

• You want the better overall score, lower MSRP, and a more capable port mix.
• You connect external storage and benefit from 10Gbps USB-C or USB-A data.
• You need a spare USB-A 2.0 port for a keyboard, mouse, or wireless receiver.
• You are comfortable with up to 92W host charging and understand that the USB-C port switches between data and PD input.

For the individual product details, read the Plugable USBC-MD103 review and the Plugable USBC-4IN1 review. If the port count still feels tight, our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking stations guide explains when a compact hub is enough and when a full dock is the better fit.