Hey gang, Valkor here. It's been some time since I've given the Val-Cave a real workout. But who would have guessed that something so small, from the new company into the cave UtechSmart, would be the one? On deck is their USB 6-in-1 USB Type-C Hub Pro Portable Dock (UNC3273) that's small in size, packs a lot of punch, and comes with plenty of connection options. However, can this portable dock pass the TOV smell test? Let's dive in.
Before we get into it, let's look at the features of the UNC3273; From the outset, the UNC3273 is small – very small! Like "put it in your pocket and you won't notice that it's there" small. But it also has a USB-C tail, so you'll have that to deal with should you decide to carry it on your person. At the top of the device you have a Gigabit Ethernet port with small indicator lights on either side. Once the device is connected, they'll light up to let you know it's working. On the right of the Ethernet port, you get two USB 3.0 ports. And on the left, you get another USB 3.0 port, an HDMI port that supports 4K resolutions, and a USB-C port.
To test the UNC3273, I used my HP Omen 15 Gaming laptop as it's power source, bringing along multiple devices to test the hub of its connection capabilities. I started with my Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and a standard USB to USB-C plug. I was able to move and delete files while charging once my phone connected. I believed I could use a USB-C to USB-C cable to connect/charge my phone through the UNC3273's onboard USB-C connection and then through the USB-C port on my laptop. However, it didn't seem to connect. Looking closer at the UNC3273, I could see there was a power adapter logo next to that port. And upon inspection, I discovered that the UNC3273 USB-C port was used to power gadgets like laptops, Mac books, tablets, etc. So, I attempted to test the hub's abilities with my HP Omen 15 to see if it would charge. However, that was a no go. For me, this is not an issue. And who knows, maybe HP will deliver a driver that would be compatible with the device. I don't need it to charge my laptop. However, I need it more to connect my other devices, which it can handle with ease.
I kept testing other gadgets, including an iPhone 12, an ancient external DVD player, a Galaxy Note 9, and even a Zune. You read that right! Valkor still owns a Zune! But I brought these out to see how well the UNC3273 can work with a variety of tech. And they all worked perfectly! Did I make a mess of things in the Cave? Absolutely! Was it worth it? It was! And let's delve deeper with the TOV Breakdown!
The Bang:
UtechSmart is making its Val-Cave debut, and their 6-in-1 USB-C dock has earned them a TOV victory. You get the addition of an Ethernet and HDMI port should you feel the need for them, in addition to the fact that it has enough power to handle many items at once. I like that it works well when connecting to older devices, however there aren't many problems when using new ones. Its small size makes the UNC3273 easily portable as you can slip it into most bags or even your pocket. Finally, you have enough ports for all of your needs, whether they be personal or professional. You've done well, UtechSmart with the 6-in-1 USB-C portable dock. And anyone and everyone who has such a need for this product should invest in one.
The Slack:
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The UtechSmart USB 6-in-1 USB Type-C Hub Pro Portable Dock is available now. And if you're interested in getting one, TOV is providing a link by clicking that logo to the right, where you can get 10% off. The UNC3273 has a slim and portable design, a wide range of ports, and exceptional performance that can easily manage your connection needs. I highly recommend picking one up. So, out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving UtechSmart USB 6-in-1 Type-C Hub Pro a 4.5.