Plugable UD-3900Z Review 2026 - Specs, Pros & Cons

Name: Plugable Dual Monitor Universal Docking Station
Brand: Plugable
SKU: UD-3900Z

The Plugable UD-3900Z is the vertical dual-HDMI version of Plugable's budget USB 3.0 DisplayLink dock family. It is built for office desks that need two ordinary monitors, wired Ethernet, audio, and several USB peripherals from one USB connection, not for high-resolution creative setups. Plugable lists two HDMI outputs up to 1920x1200 at 60Hz, two front USB 3.0 ports, four rear USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and both USB-A to USB-B and USB-C to USB-B host cables in the box. Because video runs through DisplayLink, it can add extended displays to Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS systems without relying on native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode. That is especially useful for shared offices and base Apple Silicon MacBooks that normally have strict external-display limits. The trade-off is software. Windows can install DisplayLink through Windows Update, ChromeOS has built-in support, and macOS needs DisplayLink Manager with Screen Recording permission. The other big caveat is power: the included 24W adapter runs the dock, but it does not charge the laptop.

Budget DisplayLink Dual HDMI Office Dock

Pros & Cons

What We Like

Includes both USB-C and USB-A host cables for mixed laptop fleets
Dual HDMI 1920x1200 60Hz output covers common office monitor setups
Vertical design saves desk space compared with horizontal budget docks
Six USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and combo audio cover basic peripherals
Two-year warranty and lifetime Plugable support are strong for the price
Can extend displays on base Apple Silicon MacBooks through DisplayLink

What Could Be Better

No laptop charging, so it is not a one-cable power setup
Workaround: Keep the laptop's normal charger connected, or choose a USB-C Power Delivery dock such as the Plugable UD-3900PDZ.
Dual-display mode is limited to 1920x1200 at 60Hz
Workaround: Use a dual 4K DisplayLink dock, native USB-C MST dock, or Thunderbolt dock if you own 1440p, 4K, or ultrawide monitors.
DisplayLink software is required for video output
Workaround: Install DisplayLink Manager before setup on macOS. On Windows, allow Windows Update to install the driver or use Plugable's driver page.
Four rear USB ports are USB 2.0 only
Workaround: Use the two front USB 3.0 ports for webcams, storage, or higher-bandwidth devices. Reserve USB 2.0 ports for keyboard, mouse, headset receivers, or printers.
Not suitable for gaming, creative video work, or protected streaming on dock displays
Workaround: Connect a monitor directly to the laptop for GPU-heavy work or protected video playback.

Display Support

Max Displays: 2

2 displays (Plugable lists dual HDMI support up to 1920x1200 at 60Hz. The schema uses the nearest supported enum value. DisplayLink software is required for video.)

1920x1080 @ 60Hz

1 display (Single display through either HDMI port. DisplayPort monitors are not supported directly.)

1920x1080 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

2x USB-A 3.0

4x USB-A 2.0

1x USB-B 3.0

Video Outputs

2x HDMI

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Audio

1x 3.5mm combo

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer	Plugable
Model	UD-3900Z
Release Date	2020-07
MSRP	$119.99
Connectivity
Host Connection	USB-C
Max Data Rate	5 Gbps
Driver Required	DisplayLink
Display Output
Max Displays	2
2x Display	1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Plugable lists dual HDMI support up to 1920x1200 at 60Hz. The schema uses the nearest supported enum value. DisplayLink software is required for video.)
1x Display	1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Single display through either HDMI port. DisplayPort monitors are not supported directly.)
Ports (9+ total)
USB-A 3.0	2x
USB-A 2.0	4x
USB-B 3.0	1x
HDMI	2x
Ethernet (RJ45)	1x 1 Gbps
Audio (3.5mm-combo)	1x
Power
Power Input	DC-barrel

Compatibility

Windows (7+)

Plugable lists Windows 11, 10, 8.x, and 7 support. Windows Update can install the DisplayLink driver automatically, or the driver can be installed manually.

macOS (10.14+)

Manual DisplayLink Manager installation required. Apple Silicon Macs can use DisplayLink displays for office work, but Screen Recording permission is required and protected video playback is not supported on dock displays.

ChromeOS (100+)

Plugable lists ChromeOS 100 or newer. ChromeOS has native DisplayLink support with no separate installation.

Known Issues

Linux and Unix systems

Not officially supported

Laptops that need dock charging

No host power delivery

4K, 1440p, and ultrawide monitor setups

Office-class display ceiling

HDCP protected video services

HDCP not supported

Gaming, video editing, and motion-heavy work

DisplayLink compression and CPU overhead

6.5 /10

Our Verdict

Good

The UD-3900Z is a sensible buy only if its limits match your desk. For two 1080p or 1920x1200 office monitors, keyboard, mouse, headset, Ethernet, and mixed USB-A or USB-C laptops, it is straightforward and backed by Plugable's two-year warranty and lifetime support. The vertical chassis takes less desk space than the older horizontal UD-3900H, and the two physical HDMI outputs avoid the DVI adapter awkwardness of that model. It is still an old-school DisplayLink dock at heart. Four of the six USB ports are USB 2.0, there is no USB-C downstream port, there is no card reader, and there is no laptop charging. DisplayLink also brings the usual compromises: driver setup on macOS, CPU/video-compression overhead, no HDCP protected streaming on dock-connected monitors, and a poor fit for gaming or video editing. If you own 1440p or 4K monitors, the UD-6950Z or a Thunderbolt dock is a better match. If you just need a dependable dual-HDMI office dock that works across a mixed fleet, the UD-3900Z remains useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Plugable UD-3900Z charge my laptop?

No. The UD-3900Z powers the dock and connected peripherals from its 24W adapter, but it does not provide USB-C Power Delivery to the host laptop. You need to keep the laptop's normal charger connected.

How many monitors does the Plugable UD-3900Z support?

It supports two HDMI monitors up to 1920x1200 at 60Hz through DisplayLink. The site schema records this as 1920x1080 because 1920x1200 is not an allowed enum value. It is not a 1440p or 4K dock.

Does the UD-3900Z work with MacBooks?

Yes, with DisplayLink Manager installed on macOS 10.14 or newer. It can add external displays to Apple Silicon MacBooks through DisplayLink, but you must grant Screen Recording permission and accept DisplayLink limits for protected video and high-motion work.

Can I use the UD-3900Z with an older USB-A laptop?

Yes. Plugable includes both a USB-A to USB-B host cable and a USB-C to USB-B host cable, so the dock can connect to older USB-A laptops as well as newer USB-C systems.

What is the difference between the UD-3900Z and UD-3900C?

Both are dual-HDMI DisplayLink office docks with USB-A and USB-C host support, six USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet, audio, and no laptop charging. The UD-3900Z uses a vertical chassis and has longer separate USB-A and USB-C host cables, while the UD-3900C is the later compact update with a hybrid USB-C cable and adapter.