Verbatim 13-in-1 Type C Docking Station: Reducing the cable mess

As USB-C continue to remain a staple on most laptops (budget laptops included), the Verbatim 13-in-1 Type C Docking Station with AC Adaptor 100W aims to keep the #donglelife problem out of sight – and maybe, out of mind. It handles all wired connections and charges through a single USB-C cable.

Carrying up to 70W of PD 3.0 charging and maximum bandwidth, it seems that this product aims to leave one cable behind, which leads to the array of ports elsewhere.

What does it contain

Connector(s)	Quantity and Specifications
Type C (PD) – Main Connection	x 1 (70W)
Type C (Data Transfer)	x 2 (5Gbps, 5V/0.5A)
Type A	x 3 (USB 3.0, 5V/1.4A)
HDMI	x 2 (4K, 3840 x 2160p/60Hz)
VGA	x 1 (1920 x 1080p/Hz)
RJ45 Eternet	x 1 (1,000Mbps)
SD Slot	x 1 (104Mbps, up to 2TB)
MicroSD Card Slot	x 1 (104Mbps, up to 2TB)
3.5mm Audio Jack	x 1 (16bit/48KHz)

A dedicated on/off power socket cuts off all connections when the laptop is required to be detached, which also addresses any concerns over hot-swapping of devices, or power drain in the background.

For the purpose of this test, we will be using the MacBook Pro (13”, 2020) which just features USB-C ports. Compared with the original 61W charger provided by Apple, the Verbatim 13-in-1 dock worked flawlessly to charge the 13-inch MacBook Pro at the same pace.

For larger devices such as the MacBook Pro (16”, 2019) that require 96W or the latest MacBook Pro (16”, 2021) at 140W, we are unable to guarantee that the charging speeds from the Verbatim 13-in-1 dock will match up with the original Apple charging adapter. However, tests have indicated that it is generally able to sustain mid-high intensive workloads whilst still charging the device.

It is also worth noting that the 100W AC Adaptor for the Verbatim 13-in-1 Type C Docking Station is Safety Mark certified.

Bandwidth to the max

The Verbatim 13-in-1 dock leverages its bandwidth capability to the max – displaying up to 3 different images with all ports utilised (dual 4K via HDMI, FHD via VGA).

Albeit not 10Gb ethernet, the ethernet port that is rated at 1,000Mbps should achieve much faster download and upload speeds – relative to most wireless WiFi connections. The test results can be seen in the image below.

Zero clutter on the table

The included detachable cable has a length of 1m, allowing the dock to be stowed away out of sight, or away from the field of work. Being detachable, users can swap the cable according to their needs and preferences.

Our wishlist

The Verbatim 13-in-1 dock checks most boxes in terms of what it offers with reference to other options in the market. We do, however, wish for a handful of features to be included in future variants.

With portable SSDs achieving read/write speeds of above 1,000MB/s, it would certainly be a welcomed improvement to include a USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) to take full advantage of the superior transfer speeds.

Since UHS-II will likely be the new norm in the years to come, we believe it would be a smart move for future revisions of the dock to include this upgrade.

On the other hand, the abovementioned can be regarded as niche features. It is understandable how the company would omit them at this point in time in favour of a lowered price tag.

Conclusion

The offered bandwidth and comprehensive port selection make the Verbatim 13-in-1 dock a gold standard for most users. It is updated with the newest connectivity options, unlike some competing products which still carry the dated USB 2.0 ports.

While the charging speed worked flawlessly on the 13-inch MacBook Pro, end-users who are using heavier workloads on more power-hungry devices may encounter unpredictable charging speeds. In those cases, the best bet is to continue using the original charger along with the Verbatim 13-in-1 dock to get the best of both worlds.

The Verbatim 13-in-1 Type C Docking Station with AC Adaptor 100W is launching in Singapore with a standard retail price of S$490.