Miscelleneous by stefan @ 2021-05-10
With a lot of modern non-gaming laptops, we have seen a drop regarding available interfaces for connecting different peripherals and this docking really helps with this issue. By using the USB PD port, you can still charge your device and use the multiple ports in order to use your peripherals but also gave other storage devices at your disposal.
We would like to thank at first Silicon Power for supplying their Boost SU20 7-in-1 USB-C Docking Station in order to present in-depth.
"Founded in 2003 by a group of enthusiastic data storage industry experts, Silicon Power is committed to delivering outstanding product and service quality. Headquartered and with our own state-of-the-art production site in Taipei, we have become a leading manufacturer of flash memory cards, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, solid state drives, DRAM modules and industrial-grade products. As an international player with four branch offices around the globe, we continuously strive to offer the perfect data storage solution for all requirements of modern digitalized life. With a strong focus on combining innovative technology and award-winning design, we live up to our brand promise to reliably preserve and protect your most valuable data.
Because memory is personal."
7-In-1 Ultimate Workstation
Create the ultimate workstation with our SU20 7-in-1 multiport dock. This complete solution gives Type-C laptops, notebooks, and tablets access to ports that have been eliminated on newer models. Connect to 1 HDMI port, 3 USB Type-A ports, 1 USB-C PD port, 1 SD card reader, and 1 microSD card reader all from a single Type-C input.
Amped Up Power
The SU20 was designed to deliver all-in-one power and speed. Its Type-C input supports passthrough charging to power your device without needing to sacrifice power for port expansion. Up to 5Gbps of bandwidth via its 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, plus 1 USB-C PD port (max. 60W), yields quick data transfers between your device and peripherals.
Efficiency At Its Best
The HDMI port supports resolution up to 4K (3840x2160) @ 30Hz for high-definition quality on multiple displays with no lag time. SD and microSD card readers are compatible with SDHC/SDXC and can work simultaneously for accelerated workflow. 4 USB ports (3 Type-A and 1 Type-C) permit a variety of different peripherals to be connected to your device at the same time.
Stays Cool Under Pressure
With its durable and lightweight aluminum housing, the SU20 provides maximum heat dissipation. It's a small but important detail for a dock that's able to power up to 7 peripherals simultaneously!
Dimensions: 130.0mm x 35.0mm x 13.0mm
Weight: 71.6g
Material: Aluminum
Color: Grey
Input: USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
Output: USB Type-A (x3) (USB 3.2 Gen 1), USB-C PD (x1), HDMI (x1), SD Card (x1), microSD Card (x1)
Operating Temperature: 0°C - 45°C
Storage Temperature: -10°C - 70°C
Humidity: <85% (Non-Condensing)
Operating Humidity: <85% (Non-Condensing)
Certification: CE, FCC, BSMI
Warranty: 1.5 year limited warranty, 2 years limited warranty (EU)
In this article we will concentrate our view upon an interesting and useful docking station from Silicon Power: the SU20, which also supports USB Type-C passthrough charging. The product is shipped inside a very compact cardboard enclosure and on its top cover we will note the main product highlights, along with a photo of the dock while connected to a laptop:
On the side of the box, we will note a description of all available dock ports:
Moving on to the bottom layer, we will find the main product features, specifications but also the package contents; as noted from the system requirements, the dock is compatible with a large number of devices sporting USB Type-C ports:
After unsealing the box and opening it, we will get to see the product, but also some documentation:
The instructions note compatibility with Power Delivery standard 3.0, with a max value of 60W (the standard though supports up to 100W); in order to make use of this feature, the USB-C PD port must be connected to a suitable USB-C charger:
The SU20 docking station is additionally protected inside a foam bag:
The dock is accompanied by a short USB Type-C cable, which will be used for transferring data but also for charging the laptop (if applicable):
Due to power delivery feature, Silicon Power went with an aluminum design for the SU20, which also acts as a heatsink; the gunmetal grey should fit with the rest of your setup scheme, while the product logo is available right on top:
The SDXC card readers do support standards up to UHS-I U3 and can be used simultaneously:
Next, we do have three USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for connecting more peripherals:
The PD port is where the charger should be connected:
In the front, Silicon Power has placed the HDMI port, which can drive displays up to 4K, 30Hz refresh rate:
The bottom layer of the docking station is identical to the top, only here we will note the logos of the supported standards:
The USB connector which will be plugged into the laptop/mini-PC/other device does feature a similar color scheme:
If you do not need the charging feature, the installation can be done right away and you can use the docking in order to enhance the connection capabilities of your station. Getting an USB-C charger should not be an issue though if packing a modern laptop, since most new laptop manufacturers have already switched from jack plugs to USB-C interfaces:
With a lot of modern non-gaming laptops, we have seen a drop regarding available interfaces for connecting different peripherals and this docking really helps with this issue. By using the USB PD port, you can still charge your device and use the multiple ports in order to use your peripherals but also gave other storage devices at your disposal.
The USB cable is quite short, which means that this product was meant mostly to be used with portable devices and can be also recommended for people which are working from home and also need to connect and additional display to their workstation. The SU20 docking offers a professional look and is quite compact.
Silicon Power has never let us down regarding the pricing of their products and the SU20 is no exception! The 7-in-1 docking station could be found online at the time of the review for just about 36.6 Euros!
We would like to thank again to Silicon Power for making this review possible!