beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock review
The beCreatus DP1310 is a pretty decent 13-port USB-C dock and KVM switch for your Mac, iPad, or PC that strikes a great balance between work and play.
In the age of hybrid work, many find themselves at their desk for their job and recreation. When it’s time to relax, it can be hard to switch to your gaming or recreation device.
In my experience, switching the inputs on your monitor is an awkward, necessary step to switch from my MacBook to PC. The DP1310 simplifies this process with the press of a button on the dock, switching one of your three monitors to your alternate device.
BenQ has been in the consumer electronics market for 40 years, recently specializing in projectors, monitors, and now docks.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock – Design & Setup
The DP1310 is all gray except for the green button, which serves as both the power and HDMI input switching buttons. Everything has a matte finish, which is nice when the key feature of the dock is the daily use of the button.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock review – A lot of potential wires in the back.
BenQ assumes you work before you play and thus only switches one monitor to another input, leaving the other two on for your laptop. You put your HDMI inputs for your computer and another device into the dock, and it handles the switching through a singular output HDMI into your primary monitor.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock review – It’s a big dock, but can still be held in your hand.
Thirteen ports mean a lot is going on, and I’d recommend getting some solid wire management in place before committing the DP1310 to your setup.
You’ll need to download DisplayLink for your MacBook as an additional part of the setup. If you’ve downloaded it before for other reasons, it’ll work fine as you plug everything in.
See BenQ’s video below if you’re new to docks with many ports.
If you want a four-screen setup with the DP1310, ensure one of your monitors has DisplayPort. I couldn’t get three monitors hooked up to the dock, but two and the laptop screen is more than enough for my day-to-day.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock – Specs
| Product Detail | Spec |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.14 x 4.06 x 1.57 |
| Weight | 1.21 lbs |
| Video Output | x1 HDMI 2.1, x1 HDMI 2.0, x1 DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Audio | x1 3.5mm Audio Jack (IN/OUT) |
| Networking | x1 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 |
| USB To Devices (front) | x1 USB-C 10Gbps, x2 USB-A 10Gbps |
| USB To Devices (rear) | x1 USB-A 10Gbps, x2 USB-A 480Mbps |
| System | Windows: 10+; macOS: 11.5+; Linux: Ubuntu 14.04+; Android: 5.0+; Chrome OS: R55 Build+ |
| Included In Box | Hybrid Dock, USB-C Cable, HDMI 2.1 Cable, Power Adapter+Cable |
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock – Use
In my use of the DP1310, I was able to make the most of my pre-existing MacBook and PC setup.
Before, I would leave a monitor for my MacBook and have to press a few more buttons to switch my primary widescreen monitor back and forth. Now, the process is streamlined while also powering my MacBook’s accessories.
After wrapping up my tasks, I’d turn on my PC, press the button, and often enjoy the Hades II early access or some Minecraft. The DP1310 works well for those who want a console setup or have a dedicated work laptop they bring.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock review – MacBook Pro and PC in use.
Frequent PC users may not like that the dock only switches one screen, which is understandable. The product design emphasizes productivity first with your laptop, and a single dock can only do so much.
As a note, I found that a Bluetooth keyboard goes well with the DP1310 for switching between different computers.
Some monitors have KVM switches built in, which make seamless switching hassle-free. Still, this requires an equivalent or greater cost than the DP1310, so I’d research what you want from your setup before purchasing something new.
The refresh rate for both my MacBook and PC was the same as usual, holding up to all use. And, as promised, this extends to 4K60 displays in testing too.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock review – I’d recommend putting the dock near the back of your desk to manage wires.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock – Wraps up your setup neatly
Overall, the DP1310 is a great dock with a relevant standout feature. It is a great fit for my newer MacBook and aging PC.
It works well if you game at your desk, go back and forth from the office, or just need a good balance between productivity and recreation. If you already have a good setup for switching between devices and need a USB-C dock, I’d settle for something else.
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock Pros
- Seamless input switching with one button
- 13 ports for extensive connectivity
- Compact and sleek design
- Supports multiple operating systems
beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock Cons
- Only switches one monitor input
- Pricey compared to basic docks
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Where to buy the beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock
The beCreatus DP1310 Hybrid Dock is available on Amazon and the BenQ store for $299.
