NewQ 16-in-1 Docking Station Front<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThat is, if six devices are running at 1200Mb\/s, a greater-than-gigabit<\/em> speed, each device would share that 1200Mb\/s, meaning 200Mb\/s each, but then that speed is halved, allotting 100Mb\/s to upload and 100Mb\/s to download. Of course, this is a contrived explanation that assumes all devices are demanding data in both directions in equal portions. But in contrast, six devices connected by a gigabit switch can realistically see 1Gb\/s upload and 1Gb\/s download simultaneously, which is far greater than the wireless example, despite the so-called greater-than-gigabit<\/em> speed of wireless. And that’s why, as much as I love wireless technologies, its shared access medium nature will always be its biggest limiting factor. And also why vendors need to start normalizing Ethernet connectivity beyond the Gigabit speeds that have been commonplace for over a decade now.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRepeat rants aside, the NewQ 16-in-1 has excellent connectivity, especially when compared to other options at the price point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NewQ 16-in-1 First Impressions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The NewQ 16-in-1 comes in a fairly large package and uses a closed-cell foam for protection. The package is quite heavy in contrast to other docking stations. Though, that’s largely due to the 150W power supply that’s provided with it.<\/p>\n\n\n
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NewQ 16-in-1 Docking Station In Box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn the box, there is the docking station itself, the power supply, and the user manual. Interestingly, NewQ has decided to go with a fixed cable rather than a USB Type-C port and detachable cable. This could be their approach to remedying the slew of incompatible and potentially dangerous cable possibilities resulting from the ubiquity of USB Type-C and the lack of a proper minimum power specification for use with the Type-C connector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NewQ 16-in-1’s housing is a metallic material, which undoubtedly contributes to the general heft of the device. The overall aesthetics appears, to me at least, to belong to a bygone era. It doesn’t look bad by any means. It just doesn’t embody the simplicity or the less-is-more design language of contemporary devices. Because of this, the NewQ 16-in-1 gives me impressions of a not-so-retro-near-future-istic appeal. Again, the NewQ 16-in-1 isn’t poorly designed. My opinion is simply that it has a lot going on for something that shouldn’t be taking centre stage on your desk.<\/p>\n\n\n
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NewQ 16-in-1 Docking Station Rear<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMy taste aside, the NewQ 16-in-1 would absolutely look fine in any professional business setting. Its appeal, while outdated in my opinion, is still well within the realm of professional and business-minded design language. It would not look out of place in home or business settings. In fact, because of the density of the connectivity, I think that it can make some environments look even more professional due to its potential to declutter desks and wrangle cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daily Driving the NewQ 16-in-1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The NewQ 16-in-1 uses the DisplayLink driver. Before installing that driver there will be some limitations to its functionality, though, I can’t say exactly which limitations because it was already installed on my system. That said, the driver can, and should, install automatically for Windows users as it has for me in the past. Mac users can find it online. Linux users can also find instructions for installing on their respective distributions in the relevant documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To put things succinctly, the NewQ 16-in-1 is my new daily driver. My day job as a Systems Administrator (not with FossBytes)<\/em> lets me work from home a couple of days a week. Because of this, I’m always switching between my setup in the office and my setup at home. Docking stations have made that process extremely easy. And with the NewQ 16-in-1, I no longer have to worry about where my USB hubs or card readers are. I’ve noticed no difference in the quality of life between the NewQ 16-in-1 and the Ugreen docking stations I’ve reviewed, or even the quote-unquote professional-grade<\/em> docking stations I’ve used like the Surface dock or the HP Thunderbolt G2. <\/p>\n\n\n\nOn top of the various connectivity options for workflows, there’s also the 18W charging capability that’s useful when I work late. This has eliminated the need for a standalone charger that’s been occupying space on my desk for the last three years. Docking stations are incredible when it comes to decluttering desk spaces (at least when it comes to cable management)<\/em>, but this was surely a solid bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n