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Kensington SD4700P USB-C & USB 3.0 Universal Dual 2K Docking Station review


REVIEW – For the past few months, I have been working on expanding the versatility of my several workstations so that I have all of the capabilities I need regardless of what platform I am using. I have found that using computer docks is a great way to do so and a great way to accommodate all of the drives and other peripherals that I may use. The Kensington SD4700P USB-C & USB 3.0 Universal Dual 2K Docking Station is another such device that I got the opportunity to test. Here is my experience with it.

What is it?

The Kensington SD4700P Universal USB-C and USB 3.0 Docking Station allows you to expand your laptop’s connectivity and capabilities to accommodate various types of computer accessories using the included USB Type-C/USB 3.0 Type-A cable.

What’s in the box


1 x Kensington SD4700P Universal USB-C and USB 3.1 Docking Station
1 x USB Type-C/USB 3.0 Type-A to USB Type-C Cable
1 x 135W AC Power Supply
1 x Quick Start Guide and Warranty Booklet

For this review, Kensington also included the 60W USB 3.0 Power Splitter for the SD4700P dock.


1 x 60W Laptop Power Splitter
8 x Power Tip Adapters
1 x User Guide, Warranty Guide, Communications Statement
3 x Power Tip Adapter Retention Rings

Design and features

Specifications

  • Support: USB-C or USB 3.0 Laptops, Ultrabooks and Monitors that support up to 2K
  • Monitors Supported: Single Monitor: 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz, Dual Monitors: 2048 x 1152 @ 30Hz
  • USB Ports: 5 x USB 3.0 Ports: (1) front with 5V/2.1A fast-charging & (4) back supporting 5V/0.9A
  • USB-C Ports: 2 x USB-C Ports: (1) front with 5V/3A and (1) rear supporting 60W power delivery
  • Audio: 1 x 3.5mm Combo Microphone & Headphone Port (front)
  • Compatibility: Windows 7 or above, Mac OS 10.14
  • Video Output: 1 x HDMI v1.3, 1 x DisplayPort v1.1 ++ (Passive cables/adapters for HDMI or DVI conversion)
  • Plug & Play: DisplayLink driver installation required
  • System Requirements: USB-C host device must support Power Delivery. Power Delivery is not supported on USB 3.0 host devices
  • Mounting Option: VESA Mount Compatible: Mounting plate (K33959WW) for 75mm or 100mm (sold separately)
  • Warranty: 3 Years

On the front of the dock from left to right, there is a LED power light, a combination microphone/headphone jack, USB port, and a USB-C port.

On the back of the dock from left to right, there is the power port, a USB-C port, the HDMI port, the DisplayPort, the ethernet port and 4 USB ports.

The 60W Laptop Power Adapter uses the power supply from the SD4700P to provide power to USB 3.0 enabled laptops with 20V power inputs (20V/60W).


The 8 included Power Tip Adapters provide a variety of connections for laptop brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo and other leading manufacturers. The ones that you use most frequently can be kept connected to the cable of the splitter using the included retention rings.

Performance

I started out by connecting the Power Adapter Splitter to the power supply so that I could power the dock and the HP laptop that I used as the primary computer for this testing.

As shown below, I was able to find the correct size power adapter tip for the HP.

I then connected a monitor via HDMI and my iStorage encrypted secure drive.

I plugged one of the Power Adapter Splitter ends into the dock to power it and the other with the tip adapter that I chose into the HP laptop.

I downloaded the DisplayLink driver from the Kensington website and it installed without any issues. Once installed, the laptop (Windows 7 OS) was able to see the dock and access the devices connected to the dock. However, as you can see in the picture below, it did not work to power my laptop. The laptop remained operational on its own battery.

I was able to successfully connect to a second monitor via HDMI and I was also able to successfully access the USB drive and use a wireless mouse with a wireless dongle all plugged into the dock.

A few of the USB-C docks that I previously tested worked with my iPad even though their specifications did not indicate such support. Just to see what happened I did test it with my 12.9″ iPad Pro (2018) and it did not work. This is not a negative but rather just my exploration.

What I like

  • The build quality
  • The number of ports
  • The USB-C Power Delivery capability
  • The included power splitter

What can be improved

  • The size of the dock
  • The relatively large and  heavy power supply
  • The addition of 4K support

Final thoughts

The Kensington SD4700P USB-C & USB 3.0 Universal Dual 2K Docking lives up to almost all of the capabilities that it is designed for. I did not experience any issues other than the inability to power my laptop, and while the large power supply and the additional power splitter means carrying around more with more weight, the use of the two together would be very useful when using laptops that cannot be charged via USB-C. Although in my case, the power adapter splitter did not work to power my laptop, I feel confident that it would for others and this is more of a compatibility issue. Since I leave this dock in place at work, I do not have to carry it around. Overall, this is a very solid product that is very capable and it does provide for a lot of flexibility.

Price: $189.99
Where to buy: Amazon and B&H Photo Video
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Kensington.

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Kensington SD4700P USB-C & USB 3.0 Universal Dual 2K Docking Station review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 30, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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Amazon says Big Mouth Billy Bass is back and better than ever with Alexa compatibility!

NEWS – Amazon has been expanded the list of items that have Alexa built in.  There’s even a microwave with built-in Alexa.  The Big Mouth Billy Bass is being introduced into the Echo universe as an “Alexa compatible device.”  Billy doesn’t have Alexa built-in, but he pairs with an Echo device you already own.  Once paired, the fish will lip sync with everything that Alexa says.

According to Amazon, Billy responds to inquiries about the weather, your commute, the news, random facts, and more; he reacts to timers, notifications, and alarms; and he’ll even dance to the beat when Alexa is playing music.

The plaque measures 11″ x 3″ x 7″.  Big Mouth Billy Bass is available to pre-order for $39.99.  Never fear, you’ll get him in time for Christmas with no problem, because shipping begins December 1, 2018.  Order yours at Amazon.

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Amazon says Big Mouth Billy Bass is back and better than ever with Alexa compatibility! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 30, 2018 at 8:16 am.

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Bag Branch Folio 5 review

REVIEW – My wife was excited when I showed her the Bag Branch Folio.  She said, “Oh yeah, I need that.”  So we got the 5-pocketed Bag Branch Folio 5 so she could give it a spin.  You see, my wife spends inordinate amounts of time fumbling through her bag/purse to find things.  Where are my glasses?  Oh yeah, in the bottom of the bag.  Where the heck is a pen when you need one?  Oh yeah, in the bottom of the bag.  So she was looking forward to the Folio 5 solving some of her problems.  Let’s see how it turned out.

What is it?

The Bag Branch Folio is a multi-pocketed leather accessory that holds all the essentials inside your bag/purse (glasses, credit cards, lipstick, cellphone, etc) and enables you to easily transfer them between bags/purses.  You can get a 5-pocket or a 6-pocket version.  My wife reviewed the 5-pocket Folio 5.

Product specs

  • Overall size: 4.5″W x 6.5″H
  • 5 connected-pockets: 1 full-height, 2 mid-height, and 2 card slots
  • Removable keychain: 8.5″L
  • Adjustable loop: 4.5 to 6.5″L
  • Rose-gold tone hardware
  • Weight: 5 oz
  • Lightweight Vegan leather
  • Lined
  • 30-Day Money Back Guarantee

Design and function

The Folio 5 has 1 larger pocket that easily holds a cellphone or sunglasses, although not both at the same time (more on that soon).  It has 2 mid-height pockets that could hold many things such as earbuds, lipstick, money, etc.  And there are 2 ‘card’ pockets, which are designed to hold credit/debit cards.

There is an adjustable loop that is used to attach the Folio 5 to your bag/purse by attaching it around the handle/strap.  There is also a slender chain that attaches inside the Folio 5 with a clasp on the other end to attach to any number of things such as keys.

If used as designed, it works great.  Which means, it is designed to live inside your bag/purse to hold your essentials that usually get lost in the bottom of the bag, making them easily accessible when you need them.  Transferring the Folio 5 to the next bag/purse you are using is a breeze.  Simply remove the loop and attach it inside the next bag/purse.

When my wife first got the Folio 5 it was right before we went out for the day to do some shopping.  She put her cellphone in the larger pocket and filled the other pockets with things she normally takes everywhere with her: A few lipstick/lip gloss items, her cellphone, various credit cards, and cash.  She grabbed the handle/loop and away we went. She quickly discovered that the Folio 5 is not meant to be a substitute for your clutch.  She was constantly worried about the lipstick items and credit cards falling out because the pockets aren’t designed to close (although one of the mid-sized pockets does have a single snap-button to semi-close it).  She was also unable to put both her cellphone and glasses inside the Folio 5 because there was only 1 large pocket.

To be fair, Bag Branch never claims that the Folio should be used as a stand-along bag/purse solution.  And my wife can confirm this.  When she started using it as designed, she discovered the handiness of the Folio.  After several weeks with the Folio 5 she had wished that she had opted for the Folio 6 simply because of the aforementioned issue of not being able to put both her cellphone and sunglasses in the Folio.  The Folio 6 has 2 large pockets to solve this.

My wife did have some small issues with the Folio 5 though.  The handful of bags/purses she currently uses all have zippered openings.  That means she can’t zip the bags closed because the Folio attaches to the handle of the purses.

The Folio is not designed to hold loose change.  So she still has to carry her wallet in the bag to keep track of the change.  She also has literally dozens of credit/debit/gift cards in her wallet, along with old receipts, notes, business cards, etc.  The entire contents of her wallet can’t find inside the Folio, which is not really designed to do anyway.  The same goes with her makeup bag.  She has dozens of items in that makeup bag, all of which aren’t designed to fit inside the Folio.  You are only supposed to fit your most essential items in there.  So she found herself switching items in and out of the Folio quite a bit.

None of those things are deal-breakers for her, but they are worth noting.  And she would recommend the Folio 6 over the Folio 5 for sure.

What I like

  • Ease of use
  • Great price
  • Fits just about any bag/purse

What needs to be improved

  • The Folio 5 can’t hold both a cellphone and sunglasses at the same time
  • No loose change compartment
  • If your bag has a zipper, you probably won’t be able to zip it closed using the Folio

Final thoughts

My wife thinks that the best situation where the Folio shines is when she is traveling.  It is handy for daily use, for sure.  But it really shines when you are traveling because you normally minimize what you carry with you on trips anyway.  She also has to forgo zipping up her purse right now when she uses the Folio, which is a little inconvenient.  But she still recommends the Folio as a great gift for someone because of how handy it is.

Price: $29.00
Where to buy:  Bag Branch or Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Brag Branch

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Bag Branch Folio 5 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 29, 2018 at 1:06 pm.

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Do some good while decorating your Christmas tree

NEWS – In addition to buying gifts for friends and family members, Christmas is also a time to do a little good for others.  Buying the St. Jude’s Hospital Carson Light-Up Light Bulb Ornament is a way to get a gift for someone or an ornament for your own tree while doing good.  While supplies last, Rejuvenation will donate 30% of the purchase price to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, “which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”

The ornament is a snow globe in a standard light bulb.  It is a snowy scene with trees and a lamp post that looks like the Carson light produced by the Rejuvenation company.  The lamp post actually lights up by flipping a small switch on the ornament.  It is made of glass, tin metal, sisal, cardboard, and it is 3.25″ wide x 5.5″ tall.

Each St. Jude’s Hospital Carson Light-Up Light Bulb Ornament is $19.00.  You can purchase one at Rejuvenation.

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Do some good while decorating your Christmas tree originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 29, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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The Instant Pot is one of my fave products of 2018 and it’s on sale now!

NEWS – I reviewed the Instant Pot back in January and continue to use it regularly because I love how easy it is to use and how it makes my favorite foods taste so much better. The one that I reviewed was the Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt but the one that is currently on sale is the 8 Qt sized version which I actually wish I had because well… bigger is always better! The Instant Pot DUO80 8 Qt is a 7-in-1 multi-use programmable pressure cooker, slow cooker (like a crock pot), rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, warmer, and more. I use mine to make the BEST pot roast I’ve ever eaten and I’m not exaggerating. Check out my review (linked above for more info on that) and quickly head over to Amazon where over 80% of the 28,000 +people who submitted reviews gave it 5 stars. You buy an Instant Put right now while it’s on sale for only $79. Trust me, you will LOVE it. Buy on Amazon.

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The Instant Pot is one of my fave products of 2018 and it’s on sale now! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 29, 2018 at 10:02 am.

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