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Targus DOCK520USZ Review 2026 - Specs, Pros & Cons

6.3 Good
Adrian Cel By Adrian Cel

The Targus DOCK520USZ is an older DisplayLink dock built for an office that needs more screens than a normal USB-C hub can handle. Its dual DisplayLink DL-3950 chips drive four 1920x1080 monitors at 60Hz or two 2560x1440 monitors at 50Hz through four HDMI 1.4b outputs. The dock connects through USB-C, but Targus includes a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter, so a computer with a USB 3.0 or faster Type-A port can use it too. There are four USB-A ports, one USB-C data port, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm headset jack. The limitation that matters most is power: the included 65W adapter powers the dock and peripherals, but it does not charge the connected laptop. That is a poor fit for a modern one-cable desk, but it can still make sense for a fixed Windows workstation where four Full HD screens matter more than USB-C charging.

Pros & Cons

What We Like

  • Supports four 1080p monitors at 60Hz from a single USB connection
  • Works with USB-C hosts and includes an adapter for USB-A 3.0 or faster hosts
  • Four HDMI outputs suit desks that already use HDMI monitors
  • Gigabit Ethernet, four USB-A ports, USB-C data, and combo audio cover basic desk peripherals
  • Three-year limited warranty suits fixed office deployments

What Could Be Better

  • Does not charge the connected laptop

    Workaround: Use the laptop's original power adapter alongside the dock.

  • Four-monitor mode is limited to 1080p, while two 1440p displays run at up to 50Hz

    Workaround: Use it for office monitors rather than high-resolution or high-refresh displays.

  • DisplayLink software is required for the multi-monitor setup

    Workaround: Download the current driver from Targus, then confirm the displays work before deploying the desk.

  • No DisplayPort outputs, SD reader, or USB-C host charging
  • Older 5 Gbps USB design is less capable than current USB4 and Thunderbolt docks

    Workaround: Connect fast storage and performance-sensitive displays directly to the laptop when possible.

Display Support

Max Displays: 4
4 displays (Four extended Full HD displays through the four HDMI 1.4b outputs.)
1920x1080 @ 60Hz
2 displays (Two 2560x1440 displays at up to 50Hz through the HDMI outputs.)
2560x1440 @ 50Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

4x USB-A 3.1
1x USB-C 3.1

Video Outputs

4x HDMI 1.4b

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Audio

1x 3.5mm combo

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer Targus
Model DOCK520USZ
Release Date 2018-11
MSRP $274.99
Connectivity
Host Connection USB-C
Max Data Rate 5 Gbps
Driver Required DisplayLink
Display Output
Max Displays 4
4x Display 1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Four extended Full HD displays through the four HDMI 1.4b outputs.)
2x Display 2560x1440 @ 50Hz (Two 2560x1440 displays at up to 50Hz through the HDMI outputs.)
Ports (9+ total)
USB-A 3.1 4x
USB-C 3.1 1x
HDMI 1.4b 4x
Ethernet (RJ45) 1x 1 Gbps
Audio (3.5mm-combo) 1x
Power
Power Input DC-barrel

Compatibility

Windows (7+)

Targus lists Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 support. Install the DisplayLink driver for the external display path.

macOS (10.10+)

Targus lists Mac OS X 10.10 through 10.12. Use current DisplayLink software and confirm support for the macOS release in use.

ChromeOS (R51+)

Targus lists Chrome R51 or later. Actual display support depends on the Chromebook and current DisplayLink support.

Android (5.0+)

Targus lists Android 5.0 or later for compatible devices.

Linux

Targus lists Ubuntu Linux. DisplayLink support depends on the distribution, kernel, and available driver.

Known Issues

Laptops that require USB-C charging from the dock

No host Power Delivery

Gaming, high-refresh, or color-critical display setups

DisplayLink is a compressed software display path

Systems where DisplayLink software cannot be installed

Multi-monitor display output unavailable

6.3 /10

Our Verdict

Good

The DOCK520USZ does one specific job well: it puts four HDMI office monitors on a DisplayLink-equipped desk without requiring Thunderbolt. Amazon's listing shows a 4.3 out of 5 rating from 92 global ratings, and several verified reviewers report successful four-monitor Windows setups. It is also a dated product. Its four outputs top out at Full HD across all displays, or two 1440p displays at 50Hz, and there is no host charging. The 5 Gbps USB connection and DisplayLink video path make it a poor choice for gaming, color-critical work, fast-motion video, or a laptop that needs a single cable for power and data. The newer Targus DOCK570USZ and DOCK710USZ deliver higher-resolution quad-display modes and laptop charging, while a current Thunderbolt dock is the cleaner answer for two high-resolution native displays. Buy the DOCK520USZ only if you can find it at a sensible price, already have separate laptop power, and need four basic HDMI productivity screens.

Available at Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Targus DOCK520USZ run four monitors?
Yes. Targus specifies up to four 1920x1080 displays at 60Hz through its four HDMI 1.4b ports. The dock uses dual DisplayLink DL-3950 chips, so install the required DisplayLink software before setting up the monitors.
Can the DOCK520USZ charge my laptop?
No. The included 65W adapter powers the dock and its connected peripherals, but the DOCK520USZ does not provide USB-C Power Delivery to the host laptop. Keep the laptop's own charger connected.
Does the Targus DOCK520USZ need Thunderbolt?
No. It connects through USB-C and includes a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter for USB 3.0 or faster Type-A hosts. Targus lists compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, and USB 3.0 or 3.1 hosts because its displays use DisplayLink rather than a native Thunderbolt display path.
Can it run two 1440p monitors?
Yes. Targus specifies up to two 2560x1440 displays at 50Hz. For four displays, use 1920x1080 at 60Hz instead.
Is the DOCK520USZ good for gaming or video editing?
No. It is an office-focused DisplayLink dock with a 5 Gbps USB host connection and 1080p or 1440p output modes. Use a native USB4 or Thunderbolt dock, or connect a performance-sensitive display directly to the laptop, for high-refresh gaming or color-critical video work.

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