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Out of all of the docking stations I’ve examined, the Baseus Spacemate RD1 Pro is likely one of the most original, sporting options not generally seen on different docks.
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It instantly distinguishes itself with an adjustable wi-fi charging pad on high and a small, high-resolution show on the entrance. What’s nice is that these additions do not feel like gimmicks; they ship genuinely helpful data for busy work setups, along with all the advantages of a high-end docking station.
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All of the ports
The Spacemate RD1 Professional is a reasonably large docking station with an intensive array of ports and controls:
Entrance:
- 2 × USB-C (as much as 100W PD)
- 2 × USB-A (5 Gbps)
- 240 x 240 show with management button (decision TBD)
Again:
- 2 × USB-C (10 Gbps)
- SD/TF card slot (V3.0)
- 2 × USB-A (480 Mbps)
- HDMI (as much as 4K@60Hz)
- HDMI (as much as 4K@120Hz)
- 1 Gigabit Ethernet
- Full-featured USB-C host port
- DC enter (as much as 100W PD)
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It is a fully-loaded docking station with quick USB ports for near-instant file transfers and a full-gigabit Ethernet connection for low-latency networking. For the typical person, that is overkill, however for energy customers, I believe it is almost excellent.
One thing chances are you’ll not discover at first look is the warmth vents, that are a part of its cooling system. Spacemate RD1 makes use of a graphene-enhanced thermal construction together with vents to effectively dissipate warmth. In my expertise, the cooling system does a superb job of protecting it cool. It bought a little bit heat throughout testing, however by no means uncomfortably scorching, and there have been no indicators of instability as a result of overheating.
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What’s attention-grabbing in regards to the dock is that it ships with two interchangeable energy plugs: one for the US commonplace, the opposite for the European commonplace. Each connect by sliding over the adapter’s pegs on the entrance. I discovered the US plugs simple to take away: simply press the button on high, and it slides off.
The European plug, nonetheless, was surprisingly tougher to detach. It makes use of the identical launch mechanism, however in my expertise, it bought caught on the progs. I had to make use of a little bit of elbow grease to take away.
For all its strengths, my largest criticism in regards to the Spacemate RD1 Professional is its energy adapter. It is enormous; almost half the dimensions of the dock, and you may’t go away it behind. The system can not function off simply energy siphoned from a bunch laptop computer, it wants the adapter. Good luck discovering an area for it. I truly needed to unplug my desktop PC from an influence strip throughout testing simply to make room for each the adapter and my monitor’s energy cable.
You do not see this on a regular basis
By far essentially the most eye-catching characteristic is the Qi 2.2 wi-fi magnetic charging pad on high. It delivers as much as 25W of wi-fi charging energy and could be positioned in one in all three positions: fully flat, at roughly 45 levels, or almost upright. To get essentially the most out of this pad, make certain your cell system helps the Qi commonplace; in any other case, you will be ready for a very long time. I positioned a 2026 Motorola Razr Ultra on high, which does not help Qi2.2, and it took roughly 4 hours to achieve 50% cost from a totally depleted battery.
After that, I positioned an outdated iPhone 13 Mini (which helps Qi) on high, and the recharge time to 50% was almost lower in half: 2 hours and 14 minutes, to be precise. It’s doable to attain larger speeds, offered your cell system helps Qi 2.2.
These numbers have been obtained whereas the Spacemate was in Charging Mode. In Charging Mode, almost the entire system’s options are disabled aside from charging. You’ll be able to’t switch information or output a video sign. For those who press and maintain the button above the show for 2 seconds, it switches over to Hybrid Mode.
Operational modes
Hybrid Mode is the default setting and allows the entire dock’s performance. You’ll be able to join exterior shows, switch information between gadgets, and cost related {hardware}. Nevertheless, charging efficiency is proscribed in comparison with Charging Mode since energy is being distributed throughout a number of gadgets.
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I needed to see how the Spacemate RD1 Professional dealt with real-life workloads, particularly multi-monitor setups and file transfers. Unsurprisingly, the dock did nice. It had no bother driving high-resolution video alerts. Textual content seemed crisp on my HP Omen gaming monitor, colours seemed correct, and I did not encounter any unusual flickering or bizarre visible artifacts. It even adjusted the facet ratio of the laptop computer’s video sign to match the monitor’s.
File switch efficiency was equally spectacular. Transferring a 22GB film from a WD_Black SN770M SSD to my laptop computer took roughly 43 seconds, whereas a separate 85GB switch completed in roughly two minutes and 30 seconds.
One neat characteristic is the small 240 x 240 pixel RGB show on the entrance. It generates a visible map of your setup, detailing what’s plugged in and the way energy is being distributed. You will see issues just like the setup’s host system, related peripherals, energetic shows, and real-time energy supply.
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Multi-monitor help varies relying on whether or not you are utilizing a Home windows or Mac system. Home windows customers get essentially the most flexibility, since they’ll mirror a laptop computer’s display screen, prolong the video sign throughout a number of displays, or have every display screen run an impartial video sign.
On macOS, you possibly can solely mirror content material or prolong the sign throughout the displays, however you possibly can’t have all three be impartial from one another.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Baseus Spacemate RD1 Pro is on the market from Amazon and Baseus for $300. To assist soften the sticker shock, Baseus is at the moment providing a promotional low cost on Amazon with the code BASEUSPR at checkout for $100 off.
Total, the Spacemate RD1 Professional is likely one of the higher docking stations I’ve used, and definitely essentially the most distinctive. It’s a nice mixture of a beneficiant port choice, considerate thermal administration, and helpful extras like its Qi2 wi-fi charging pad. For those who’re searching for a extra inexpensive different, take into account the Baseus Nomos Air 12-in-1with comparable options, just like the charging pad.
