StarTech 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT Dual 4K DisplayPort USB-C Multiport Adapter

Overview

The StarTech 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT is a USB-C multiport adapter built for professionals who need dual 4K 60Hz DisplayPort outputs, a full USB hub, 100W Power Delivery pass-through, and Gigabit Ethernet — all from a single host connection. Measuring just 5.9 x 2.2 x 0.6 inches and weighing 0.3 lb, it sits flat on a desk or tucks behind a monitor without adding clutter. If you're provisioning dual-display workstations for security operations centers, video review stations, or field engineering desks, this adapter handles the display, network, and peripheral load without requiring a separate power brick or a second USB hub.

For integrators evaluating StarTech connectivity solutions or spec'ing out USB-C docking adapters for multi-monitor workstations, the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT consolidates what used to require three separate devices into a single 0.3 lb unit. That matters in a rack-room or operations desk environment where cable management is already a problem.

Key Features

• Dual DisplayPort Outputs at 4K 60Hz: Both outputs drive 4K at 60Hz simultaneously — not the compromised 4K/30Hz you get from many budget docks. For VMS review stations, evidence playback, or dual-monitor analyst desks, full-frame 4K 60Hz on both screens means no dropped frames during video scrubbing.
• 100W USB-C Power Delivery: The adapter passes up to 100W back to the host laptop, which covers charging requirements for most commercial ultrabooks and workstations. You plug one USB-C cable into your laptop and get power, displays, network, and peripherals — no separate charger needed on the desk.
• Gigabit Ethernet: Wired Gigabit replaces the unreliable Wi-Fi connection that most laptop docking scenarios default to. For VMS clients pulling multi-stream 4K video from NVRs, a stable wired connection removes the packet-loss variable that causes stream drops on busy wireless networks.
• 3x USB-C 5Gbps Ports: Three SuperSpeed USB-C ports at 5Gbps each handle external SSDs, USB-C display adapters, or additional hubs without throughput contention at the USB 2.0 ceiling. Useful when a field engineer needs to pull footage from a USB-C camera or recorder at full speed.
• 2x USB-A 5Gbps Ports: Two USB-A ports at 5Gbps support legacy peripherals — barcode scanners, USB keyboard/mouse combos, external drives — without the throughput penalty of USB 2.0. Standard in most commercial environments where not every peripheral has gone USB-C yet.
• 1x USB-A 2.0 Port: Handles low-bandwidth peripherals like wireless mouse dongles or smart card readers without consuming a 5Gbps port. Keeps your high-speed ports available for storage and display tasks.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 70°C: The rated 0–70°C operating range covers standard indoor office and control room environments. Not rated for outdoor or unheated enclosure use — plan accordingly for edge deployments in unconditioned spaces.
• Compact Form Factor (5.9 x 2.2 x 0.6 in, 0.3 lb): Small enough to travel with a laptop kit or mount behind a monitor on a VESA arm. At 0.3 lb it won't stress a cable tray or a laptop's USB-C port under normal desk conditions.

Integration and Compatibility

The 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT connects to any host with a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery. The DisplayPort outputs are compatible with standard DP 1.4 monitors, and the adapter's Gigabit port integrates with any managed or unmanaged switch without driver configuration on Windows or macOS — the NIC enumerates as a standard USB-to-Ethernet adapter. For network switch pairing in structured cabling environments, any 802.3ab Gigabit port handles this without configuration changes.

For operations centers running dual-monitor VMS clients — Milestone, Genetec, or similar — this adapter provides the connectivity stack from a single cable drop to the analyst laptop. Pair it with a KVM switch if multiple operators need access to the same set of displays, or consult a USB-C docking and connectivity guide for multi-user workstation design. The 189B USBC MULTIPORT (often searched as 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT) ships with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT drive two 4K monitors simultaneously at 60Hz?

A: Yes. Both DisplayPort outputs support 4K at 60Hz simultaneously, provided the host system's USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode with sufficient bandwidth for dual 4K output.

Q: Does the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT charge my laptop while connected?

A: Yes. It supports up to 100W USB-C Power Delivery pass-through, which covers charging for most commercial laptops. Verify your laptop's PD input rating — some systems cap at 65W or 90W regardless of adapter output.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT?

A: The operating range is 0°C to 70°C (32°F to 158°F). It is not rated for outdoor or unheated environments below freezing.

Q: How many USB ports does the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT provide?

A: Six total: three USB-C at 5Gbps, two USB-A at 5Gbps, and one USB-A 2.0.

Q: Does the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT include Ethernet connectivity?

A: Yes. It includes a Gigabit Ethernet port for a stable wired network connection, which enumerates as a USB-to-Ethernet adapter on both Windows and macOS.

Q: What warranty does the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT carry?

A: StarTech covers this product with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Eden Phillips

The spec I keep coming back to on the 189B-USBC-MULTIPORT is the dual 4K 60Hz DisplayPort output — not because 4K is impressive on paper, but because running two outputs at full 4K 60Hz simultaneously is where most compact docks quietly fall apart. Budget adapters will advertise 4K but drop the second monitor to 30Hz or throttle resolution once both ports are active. This one holds both outputs at 60Hz, which matters specifically for VMS review stations where dropped frames during playback scrubbing create real forensic workflow problems.

Technical Highlights:

• 100W Power Delivery: Full 100W pass-through means a single USB-C cable to the host handles power, both displays, Gigabit network, and six USB peripherals — eliminating the second cable run and the power brick that otherwise lives on every analyst desk.
• Gigabit Ethernet: Wired Gigabit is non-negotiable for multi-stream VMS clients. Even a congested 5GHz Wi-Fi connection introduces enough jitter to cause stream drops when pulling three or four 4K feeds simultaneously from an NVR. A wired port removes that variable entirely.
• 6-Port USB Hub (3x USB-C 5Gbps + 2x USB-A 5Gbps + 1x USB-A 2.0): The split between 5Gbps and 2.0 ports is well thought out — high-speed ports for storage and cameras, a 2.0 port for the dongle or smart card reader that doesn't need bandwidth.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 0°C to 70°C operating range is fine for conditioned office and control room environments, but don't deploy this in an unheated equipment closet in a northern climate — you'll hit the floor temperature limit in winter.
• Dual 4K 60Hz output requires the host's USB-C port to support DisplayPort Alt Mode. Thunderbolt 3/4 ports handle this without issue; some USB-C-only ports on budget business laptops do not support Alt Mode at all — verify the host spec sheet before ordering.

This adapter is the right fit for security operations center analyst desks where a laptop is the primary workstation, dual 4K monitors are standard, and the desk needs to stay clean — one cable in, full connectivity out, no compromise on frame rate.