OWC USB-C quad HDMI 4K adapter
Not enough connections.
Well, not enough HDMI connections… and it has always been a problem that I’ve been trying to work around.
On my constant mission to find more productive ways of working, I have attached various external screens and extenders aplenty over the years.
One of the most fundamental challenges I have faced when attempting to go multi-screen is that most laptops only have HDMI port, so I have ended up using cobbled-together USB-C connectors to HDMI and HDMI-mini to just about get there.
But even when I do get all the visual connections made, there’s still the issue of trying to find other ways to use a hub to splay-out enough power cables.
In short, it takes me hours and is counterproductive, or it was.
Thankfully (and all the way from Woodstock, Illinois) comes Other World Computing (OWC), a company known for its storage, memory, connectivity, software and accessories.
The new OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter is apparently targeted at “creative professionals” and power users (**gee-shucks**) and the redesigned OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter is said to be ideal for everyday tasks, classroom use and bring-your-own-device environments.
Prices (at the time of writing) at $149.99 (so, roughly GBP £111) the OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter has allowed me to expand my visual workspace with four 4K UHD displays.
Connection selection
Connections are via a single Thunderbolt, USB4, or USB-C port on a Mac, PC, or Chromebook.
“No more multiple adapters hassle and the burden they put on a notebook’s CPU, interface bandwidth and battery life. Simply plug in this visual upgrade to utilise multiple Ultra-High Definition monitors in business presentations, creative projects, stock trading, or WFH settings. Powered by DisplayLink Pro technology, this adapter simply delivers a smooth and reliable multi-display experience while simultaneously charging a computer,” notes the company.
The usage was extremely plug-and-play and (used on Windows 11, which supports as many displays as you can fit on your desk pretty much) it means screen use can be extended or mirrored in terms of display modes.
OWC says it’s efficient and reduces demand on host CPU, interface bandwidth and notebook battery versus using multiple adapters with higher overall resource consumption. The bus is powered via the 11.8″ integrated USB-C cable for use anywhere.
There is up to 90W pass-through power when used with a USB-C power adapter and HDMI Pass Through Support allows audio signals to pass through the adapter to the connected displays.
OWC USB-C Dual HDMI
It’s smaller cousin, the OWC USB-C Dual HDMI Adapter comes in at $69.99 (so, roughly GBP £50) is purposefully built to solve the one-display limit of base model M-series Mac notebooks as well as expand the visual workspace of port-limited machines. With universal USB-C compatibility, this display expansion solution can be used with millions of Thunderbolt 3/4/5, USB4, and USB-C equipped Macs, PCs and Chromebooks.
Palm-sized with an integrated USB-C connecting cable, this bus-powered adapter can be placed discreetly in a workspace or easily carried to remote multi-display setups and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) business or classroom presentations. Plus, this innovative adapter is backward compatible, so it can be used with any HDMI display, projector, or TV at its maximum resolution.
“Whether you’re working with spreadsheets, streaming data, editing video, or just need more screen real estate to stay productive, we believe your gear shouldn’t hold you back,” said Larry O’Connor, founder and CEO, Other World Computing. “With our new Quad and enhanced Dual HDMI adapters, we’re giving users the power to easily expand their visual workspace, without the complexity or cost of juggling multiple adapters or sacrificing performance.”
Bottom line, OWC has a line of HDMI adapters for any type of display configuration.
The company’s products are durable and nicely presented, packaged and put together… and for me, they really solve a problem in an instant in this case, it’s money well spent.
