Knowledgeable’s Score
Professionals
- As much as 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz
- As much as three exterior displays on the MacBook
- 180 watt energy provide
- Good design
Cons
- No KVM change
- No card slot
- Gigantic energy provide
Our Verdict
The BenQ beCreatus DP1310 is the best dock when you not solely need to work at your desk at house, but additionally use a display screen for gaming, particularly on consoles such because the PS5, Xbox Collection X/S, and Nintendo Swap. The dock helps a 4K monitor at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz or as much as three 4K displays at 60Hz and has 100 watts of energy supply by way of USB-C, which is greater than adequate even for the M3 Max MacBook Professional.
Worth When Reviewed
$299
Finest Costs At this time: BenQ beCreatus DP1310 USB-C Hybrid Dock
$467
Screens have turn into so good, so large, and so inexpensive that you just not essentially want two of them, one on your work gear and one on your playthings. That is the place docks come into play. They’ve lengthy been an integral a part of artists’ workstations, however there at the moment are additionally fashions focussing on leisure, such because the BenQ beCreatus DP1310, which units the bar extraordinarily excessive, particularly with its output choices.
BenQ beCreatus DP1310: Specs, design, and workmanship
- Dimensions: 156 by 103 by 40 mm (6.14 by 4.06 by 1.57 in)
- Weight: 550 g (1.21 lbs)
- Energy provide: 180 watts
- Connections (entrance): 2 USB-A 3.0; USB-C; 3.5 mm jack
- Connections (rear): 2 USB-A 2.0; USB-A 3.0; USB-C (100W DP); HDMI 2.1 In; HDMI 2.1 Out; HDMI 2.0 Out; DisplayPort 1.2 Out; gigabit ethernet
As with most stationary docks, the beCreatus DP1310 is mostly a comparatively voluminous, anthracite-colored field. Other than the back and front, the housing is fabricated from steel, with the highest and backside being ribbed to extend the floor space, because the housing serves to dissipate warmth–the DP1310 will get fairly heat throughout operation.
Eugen Wegmann
The quick left facet is rubberized in order that the dock doesn’t slip simply whenever you stand it upright. There are additionally two rubber strips on the ribbed underside, which to my shock should not glued down and can be positioned on the highest when you actually need to stand the dock the other way up. Nonetheless, the primary objective might be to have the ability to put them nearer collectively in order for you the dock to face on a smaller floor.
The entrance is fabricated from darkish gray plastic and homes two USB-A ports with as much as 10Gbps knowledge throughput and seven.5 watts of energy, a USB-C port, additionally with 10Gbps throughput, however with 36 watts of energy, a 3.5 mm jack for a headset and a small standing LED that lights up blue or inexperienced relying on the supply.
Eugen Wegmann
The attention-catcher and one of many options that visually units the beCreatus DP1310 other than comparable docks is a big inexperienced button that additionally capabilities as an on/off change and permits you to change the linked sources on the contact of a button. Its form means that it may be rotated, however sadly, it is a false impression.
In case you bear in mind the wild Nineties and early 2000s, you should still be accustomed to the idea of the boss button, which allowed you to superimpose a faux work display screen over video games resembling “Moorhuhn” on the contact of a button in order that your boss couldn’t see that you just had been busy doing something aside from working. That is precisely how the DP1310’s inexperienced button works however as an precise {hardware} resolution. You actually can change between work and pleasure on the contact of a button.
The rear is filled with a very powerful connections. There are two USB-A ports for a mouse and keyboard, one other USB-A port with 10Gbps throughput and seven.5 watts of energy, and a gigabit ethernet port.
The video connections are the place issues get attention-grabbing: The BenQ beCreatus DP1310 has an HDMI 2.1 enter, a USB-C port with DisplayPort assist and 100 watts of energy supply, two HDMI outputs (one HDMI 2.0, one HDMI 2.1), and a DisplayPort output.
Eugen Wegmann
There may be additionally a hole plug socket, because the dock, which might distribute round 160 watts to linked gadgets, is provided with energy by a big, heavy 180-watt energy provide unit.
The dock doesn’t have a card reader, nor does it have any USB-C ports other than the one on the entrance. The previous makes the DP1310 lower than perfect for the inventive business, which it isn’t aimed toward anyway, whereas the latter is considerably extra severe, as many gadgets, particularly webcams, now depend on USB-C ports. Additionally noteworthy: no Thunderbolt assist.
BenQ beCreatus DP1310: Vary of capabilities
What do you do with so many ports? Principally, there are (a minimum of) two software examples, maybe you may consider one or two extra.
Mac and recreation console with one show
The primary instance is the one BenQ primarily makes use of to advertise the beCreatus DP1310. When you’ve got restricted house, you need to use your workstation as a gaming nook comparatively simply, which is especially attention-grabbing if you have already got quick, high-resolution displays. Because of the 2 HDMI 2.1 connections (enter and output), the DP1310 helps both 4K decision at 120Hz refresh fee or 8K at 60Hz, each with Dolby Atmos HDR expertise.
Whereas 8K/60Hz nonetheless largely falls into the class of desires of the longer term, 4K/120Hz has lengthy been a actuality, as each the Xbox Collection X and the Sony Ps 5 assist this mode on the supply facet and it has additionally lengthy since arrived on output gadgets. LG’s in style OLED TVs have been capable of output 120Hz natively since 2019, and pc displays with related specs at the moment are accessible from all well-known producers, particularly within the gaming sector.
The dock comes into play when you don’t have house for a TV or don’t need to purchase one (or use one of many small fashions of LG OLEDs as a monitor on your Mac) and need to place your Xbox Collection X or Ps 5 at your workstation. Join your high-performance monitor to the DP1310’S green-blue HDMI 2.1 output, your console to the inexperienced HDMI 2.1 enter, and your Mac to the blue USB-C port on the again. You’ll be able to change between Mac and console utilizing the big inexperienced button on the entrance.
When you’ve got as much as three displays, you may develop the Mac output accordingly. Whereas I’ve no use for it myself, I can think about that streamers and builders will recognize having the ability to rapidly change backwards and forwards between a console and a big workspace.
The particular factor is that just one display screen can change between the console and Mac; the opposite two are at all times reserved for the laptop computer and might proceed for use even in case you are taking part in in your console.
Eugen Wegmann
Prolong Mac output to 3 displays
The second instance is said to the truth that because the introduction of the M-chips, the scenario with Macs supporting a number of exterior displays seems to be a bit of bleak and relies upon closely on the chip. While the scenario has improved considerably with the introduction of the M3 Professional and Max chips earlier this yr, it’s nonetheless so difficult that now we have a detailed guide particularly for it. To summarise briefly: One of the simplest ways to do it’s with a dock.
As talked about above, you may join three displays to the BenQ beCreatus DP1310: two by way of HDMI and one by way of DisplayPort. Your MacBook, alternatively, will be linked as typical by way of USB-C, which additionally provides it with energy. As with many comparable docks, you want the DisplayLink driver for this, however it’s accessible freed from cost.
Whereas the beCreatus DP1310 is definitely appropriate for this software, there are additionally smaller and cheaper options. In case you solely want to attach extra screens to your Mac, you need to due to this fact check out different docks. Nonetheless, there are additionally different docks in the identical measurement and worth class, which is why the BenQ mannequin suits in fairly nicely.
BenQ beCreatus DP1310: No KVM change
Essentially the most annoying factor in regards to the beCreatus DP1310 is that it’s explicitly designed to be used with a console. As such, it additionally doesn’t act as a KVM change, which is why you may’t merely use it to arrange a hybrid Home windows PC and Mac workstation with only one set of peripherals. A KVM change permits you to use the identical peripherals (mouse and keyboard in addition to displays) with two totally different gadgets, on this case, a Mac and a Home windows PC.
I understand it is a barely totally different area of interest, however I can’t think about it could have been that rather more cumbersome or costly to implement this characteristic as nicely. And the icing on the cake could be if I may additionally join my Xbox or Ps inside this hybrid set-up.
Eugen Wegmann
BenQ beCreatus DP1310: Efficiency
Video
There may be little to say in regards to the video connections. Right here, the beCreatus DP1310 delivers what it guarantees: 4K/120Hz (examined with an Xbox Collection X and an LG OLED B1 from 2021) is output by the beCreatus with none issues. I used to be unable to check 8K/60 Hz because of an absence of {hardware}. However as I stated, 8K is just not very widespread anyway and received’t catch on any time quickly.
The largest shortcoming of the output issues switching between the 2 sources. This isn’t instantaneous, as you’ll count on, however takes slightly below 8 seconds on common. That won’t sound like a lot, however have you ever ever pressed a button after which needed to await one thing to occur? It looks as if an eternity.
Of specific curiosity to MacBook customers is the power to attach as much as three exterior shows with the dock with out having to pay the additional worth for a mannequin with an M2 or M3 Max chip. This manner, you may even develop a M1 MacBook Professional with three screens, every with 4K decision and 60Hz refresh fee. This not solely works in clamshell mode, the place you’re employed along with your MacBook closed and use it with an exterior mouse and keyboard, but additionally unfolded. This lets you develop your MacBook setup to a full 4 screens when you want that a lot house.
In case you then change to your console, you’ll lose one display screen on the MacBook, however you may nonetheless use it with the remaining two screens. After all, it’s as much as you what you do on it: handle the chat of your Twitch stream, show the walkthrough for the sport within the browser, watch a TV present on the facet.
Whereas the operate itself labored easily throughout testing (even with an older MacBook) I had a couple of hindrances when setting it up. After putting in the DisplayLink driver, one display screen wouldn’t work in any respect, after restarting the dock it did work however displayed psychedelic colours on one half and after one other restart (and after each restart) every little thing lastly ran easily. So it’s good to know that “have you ever tried turning it off an on once more?” remains to be legitimate.
USB speeds
So far as the pace of the USB ports is worried, there are hardly any surprises with the DP1310. General, the pace examined with the Blackmagic Disk Pace Take a look at is in actuality considerably decrease than the USB normal truly used. Nonetheless, it isn’t solely depending on the expertise used, but additionally on the machine with which it’s examined and even the cable with which it’s linked.
For my exams, I used a 1TB Samsung T7 USB-C SSD, which isn’t the quickest SSD in the marketplace. Linked on to a M3 MacBook Professional M3 Professional, it achieves common learn speeds of 720MBps and write speeds of 835MBps, which is already nicely under the USB specification. In distinction, the identical SSD on the identical MacBook looped via the beCreatus DP1310 achieves common learn speeds of 680MBps and write speeds of 820MBps.
This corresponds to a distinction of 6 p.c in learn pace and solely 2 p.c in write pace, which is totally negligible. It could due to this fact be assumed that higher-performance storage gadgets than the Samsung T7 deviate simply as little from what the connection truly delivers.
Eugen Wegmann
BenQ beCreatus DP1310: Worth and availability
Like most high-performance or extremely specialised docks, the beCreatus DP1310 is just not precisely low-cost. The producer’s worth is US$299/UK£309 and it’s also uncommon to seek out it for much less on third-party retailers, though it needs to be talked about that the worth isn’t out of the vary for such a specialised dock.
For this worth, you get the dock with the aforementioned specs, a huge and heavy 180-watt energy provide with an influence cable, a completely specified USB-C cable and a completely specified HDMI 2.1 cable. The truth that BenQ contains the final two alone should be credited to the corporate, as there may be an unimaginable quantity of snake oil on Amazon, particularly in the case of USB-C cables. So having the appropriate cables proper within the field is one much less downside it’s important to cope with.
Must you purchase the BenQ beCreatus DP1310?
The BenQ beCreatus DP1310 is the right dock if you wish to add a recreation console to your workstation setup. To get the very best setup, your setup ought to include a minimum of a 4K display screen with 60Hz and a MacBook. When you’ve got a desktop Mac, you normally have sufficient connections anyway and might do with out docks.
It’s additionally nice for including as much as three exterior shows to your present MacBook workstation, even when your mannequin doesn’t truly assist it. In case you merely need to develop your vary of connections, there are additionally extra appropriate (and extra inexpensive) docks.
This text initially appeared on Macwelt and was translated by Roman Loyola.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.