Many now opt for laptops instead of desktops because of their convenience and portability. However, you usually sacrifice the number of available ports because you need to keep them thin. So, if you want the best of both worlds, check out theBaseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Station.
Baseus Spacemate Series 11-Port USB-C Docking Station
The Baseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Station allows most laptops, even the most affordable MacBook Airs, to have triple displays. It also gives you many different ports, allowing you to turn a portable computer into a powerful productivity workstation.
Price and Availability
The Baseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Station comes in two flavors: for Windows and for macOS. While both versions of the hub will work on either operating system, only the macOS version is equipped with DisplayLink technology. This allows you to get up to three displays on MacBooks, even if you only have the vanilla Apple M silicon (M1, M2, or M3) and not Apple’s Pro or Max versions.
ThemacOS version of the Spacemate 11-in-1 dockis available on Amazon for $299.99. However, if you have a Windows laptop, theWindows version of the dockis much cheaper. It is normally $199.99 but is currently on sale on Amazon for $139.99.
Specifications
Triple Displays for MacBooks and Windows Laptops
Docks are pretty useful devices for extending your laptop’s functionality, especially if you have a thin-and-light device like the MacBook Air, which only has two USB-C ports, a charging port, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack. But the main reason why you’d want to get a more expensive dock like the Baseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Station over cheaper solutions like theBaseus Metal Gleam Series II 10-in-1 USB Hubis the ability to display up to three external displays.
If you have a Windows laptop with a USB-C port that offersHDMIorDisplayPort Alt Modes,USB Power Deliveryor is compatible with Thunderbolt 3 or later, you can use the Windows version of the Spacemate 11-in-1 dock to output up to three independent displays. However, if the USB-C port on your laptop, like the one on my Windows laptop, doesn’t have any of these functions, you cannot use the dock to attach any monitor—even the macOS version with DisplayLink technology.
On the other hand, Apple-silicon MacBooks with the vanilla M1, M2, or M3 silicon, even if they have all the prerequisites we’ve mentioned above, can only output to one external display (except for the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air, which can output to two different monitors provided that its lid is closed). The Baseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Station’s Mac version solves this using DisplayLink technology. When you install the DisplayLink driver on your MacBook, you may now output to three different monitors even if you only have the basic M1 SoC.
I tried this with my 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, and I’m ecstatic to finally be able to use the triple monitor setup on my Apple laptop. Since I can still use my laptop’s built-in display, the Spacemate 11-in-1 Docking Station effectively gives me four monitors while I’m using Apple’s most affordable 15-inch laptop.
No Shortage of Ports
The dock delivers triple displays and several ports for attaching USB peripherals. Both versions of the Spacemate Docking Station have a USB-C 3.2 and a USB-A 3.2 (both 10 Gbps) up front, useful for attaching portable drives and other peripherals that require fast data transfer speeds. An indicator button at the top of the dock lets you lock the screen if you press it once (for Windows) or twice (for Mac).
In addition to these, you also get one USB-C PD port at the back with a 100-watt capacity for charging everything connected to the dock. It also has a 1Gbps ethernet connection via an RJ45 jack and another USB-A 3.2 (10Gbps) port. It also has a 3.5mm combo jack for connecting audio.
However, if you’re getting the Mac version of the Spacemate dock, you’re getting two USB-A 2.0 ports for slower peripherals (like a mouse and keyboard) and three HDMI ports that deliver 4K@60Hz each—two of which use DisplayLink technology and one uses DP alt mode.
On the other hand, the slightly shorter Windows version of the dock only has one USB-A 2.0 port, but it gives you four display outputs—two DisplayPort and two HDMI ports. Although they all can deliver 4K@60Hz each, you cannot use HDMI 1 and DisplayPort 2 simultaneously. That means it can only support three displays, just like the Mac version.
One thing I’m missing, though, is the SD and microSD card reader. Users who need the Baseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Station are likely power users, so a built-in reader would greatly be appreciated. Since neither version of the Spacemate dock doesn’t have a reader, I must use a separate card reader dongle to transfer files from my camera to my computer, which adds clutter to my desk.
Unique Magnetic Base
Aside from the utility that the extra USB, networking, audio, and display ports that the Baseus Spacemate dock brings me, it’s also a great device to put on your desk. Its solid aluminum build makes it feel like a sturdy little device, and its rubber base means it won’t slide around on your desk when you’re plugging into one of its ports.
The built-in USB-C cable for connecting to your computer has a braided finish for durability and indicator lights in front to show you which ports are active. That way, if one or more of your peripherals plugged into the dock aren’t working as expected, you’ll immediately know if the issue is with its connection.
Another interesting feature of the Spacemate dock is its magnetic base. Its base secures to your desk via its sticky rubber foot, and the dock latches on to it magnetically. This means it will stay put on your desk unless you spend considerable effort removing the base from its position.
Alternatively, you can secure the dock directly on any metallic surface. If you have a metallic desk, the magnetic bond is strong enough to keep it planted. But you can also place it on any flat metal (like the underside of my laptop tray) to save desk space.
Should You Buy the Baseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Station?
TheBaseus Spacemate Series 11-in-1 Docking Stationis one of the last devices you’ll ever need if you want your laptop to turn into a desktop workstation whenever you’re at your office desk. However, if you’re a Windows user, this docking solution might be a tad bit expensive, especially if you don’t need three displays. But the Mac version of this dock would be crucial for productivity if you use an Apple-silicon powered laptop.
That’s because you may only get three external displays if you have the MacBook Pro, which uses a M3 Max chip, starting at $3,200. Even the $2,000 MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip will only give you two external displays. Although the Mac version of the Spacemate dock is pretty pricey at $300, it would allow any Apple silicon MacBook, even the $1,000 13-inch M2 Air, to have three external displays and use the built-in screen simultaneously.
The combined price of the cheapest new MacBook Air and the Spacemate dock, which amounts to $1,300, is nothing to sneeze at. But it’s a far cry from the $3,200 asking price of the MacBook Pro, saving you $1,900—enough money to buy an iPad Pro, an Apple Pencil Pro, and then some.
