Dock Pro 60 USB-C 4K Station with Game+ Mode provided for review by IOGEAR
Update 1/02/20: Video review added to the article.
One of the greatest things about the Nintendo Switch is that you can take it anywhere. The system’s ability to be played on screen and off depending on the situation makes it very versatile. But, what about the times you are out and drop by a friend’s house and the call comes out that it is time to throw down in Smash or Mario Kart? You can play in table-top mode sure, but come on they have a TV right there! If only the Nintendo Switch Dock wasn’t so big and awkward to lug around and fit into your travel case. Well, impromptu multiplayer sessions on a bigger screen are no longer an issue with the IOGEAR Dock Pro 60 USB-C 4K Station with Game+ Mode (affiliate link)! This tiny dock fits nicely into Switch travel cases along with an extra set of Joy-Cons to allow for an impromptu multiplayer session no matter where you might be.
What’s In The Box
The Dock Pro comes in a nice box with the front showcasing what the dock is intended to do: provide USB-C output to supported devices. So while I might be focusing on Switch for this review, the Dock Pro does also provide output support for compatible Android phones and tablets, as well as Mac and PC. The back of the box provides a nice diagram of connectivity along with bullet points of features. Inside the box, we have the Dock Pro, USB-C to USB-C cable, and a Users Guide.
Aesthetics and Build Quality
The Dock Pro comes in a nice silver plastic with the IOGEAR branding on top being the only visible markings with the rest of the usual product ID's being placed underneath. The color and lack of obtrusive writings really give the Dock Pro a sleek presentation once hooked up.
The Dock Pro is nice and compact measuring just a mere .47" tall, 2.7" wide, and 3.6" long. It honestly looks relatively the same size as the PlayStation TV system which is the exact form factor I would be looking for from a travel dock like this. The device is also very lightweight, making it much easier to travel with compared to some other options out there.
Along the back of the device are a couple of USB-C ports for power and video input, and an HDMI port for video output. The front of the dock has one USB 2.0 port and one USB 3.0 port for connecting accessories to. Uses can include keyboard and mouse, controllers or even external drives.
Gameplay
Setting up the Dock Pro is very easy. Simply plug in power and HDMI then use the included USB-C cable to attach to your Switch. Or you know, other devices you might want to use the dock on. For the Switch do make sure to use the official AC adapter, otherwise video might not display! I encountered this lack of video when experimenting with a couple of my third-party power cords that could drive the official Switch dock.
If you need to use any additional accessories they plug into the USB ports on the front as you would expect. I have used these front USB ports for the GameCube controller port adapter, charging Pro Controllers, and even the Switch wired network adapter. Each attached device has worked exactly as expected without missing a beat. When I connected the dock to my PC, keyboard and mouse also worked without issue as well as my USB hard drive showing up without a problem.
The dock outputs full 1080P video from the Nintendo Switch to my TV in fantastic quality. There were no visual artifacts or dropped display input of which I have encountered on some third-party docks in the past. I also wasn't able to distinguish any image differences between the Dock Pro and the official Nintendo Switch dock. So overall I am very happy in this regard.
Because of the Dock Pro's size it is very easy to take with me on the go in my Satisfye Elite Case. Sadly, the official Switch charger doesn't fit at the same time but that isn't related to the Dock Pro, so whatever. Because the dock features a removable USB-C to USB-C cable it also ensures that the dock and cable won't take damage from being transported. Man, there would be nothing worse than to break a permanently attached video input cable and have to buy an entirely new dock because of it!
One thing to note when using the Switch with the Dock Pro is to make sure you don't lay it down completely flat on a surface. This could result in overheating your Switch and nobody wants that! Even with Joy-Cons attached the angle isn't my favorite for air intake. Ideally, I use it with my Satisfye grip but I haven't been able to experiment with 90° USB-C to USB-C cables that work with the Dock Pro yet so it kinda just lays there. It works, but it isn't anything super visually appealing.
What It Could Have Done Better
The Price tag attached to the Dock Pro is a bit on the high side. At $79.95, I am not sure how feasible the Dock Pro is when $30 alternatives exist that provide the same functionality. Though to be fair those cheaper alternatives likely offer cheaper quality and might even brick your Switch as some cheaper docks have done. Still, something to keep in mind when deciding on your purchase.
Verdict
After using the Dock Pro (affiliate Link) for the last month, I can happily say it works exactly as advertised! It is a compact lightweight dock that can be used for the Switch and other devices while at home or at a friends. Best yet, it hasn't bricked my Switch after multiple hours of use. If price is of no concern to you and this is the type of functionality you need, the Dock Pro is ready to go no matter where you are when the need for a multiplayer throwdown occurs.
