What we have here for review is the Minisopuru MD6950D. This is a 15-in-1 docking station and is also the higher-end brother of the DS808. That said, it is priced at ₱13,200 PHP (directly from Minisopuru) while it is about $209.89 USD at Amazon.
The MD6950D introduces some features that the DS808 surely missed such as the inclusion of a 140 W power adapter capable of charging your host device on its own. A power switch has been added too along with a more convenient display port configuration. Minisopuru also added an SD and TF card slot for utmost versatility. Other changes includes yet another USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 port with 45 W of output. In exchange for these new features, two USB-A 2.0 ports have been removed which is more than acceptable in my book.
Disclosure: Minisopuru sent the MD6950D for the purpose of this review. The company did not ask me to say anything particular about it.
Technical Specifications
| Docking Station | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Mac, PC (USB Type-C) |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Controller | N/A |
| Connectivity | |
| Display | 2x DisplayPort, 3x HDMI |
| Storage | SD, TF |
| USB | 3x Type-A, 3x Type-C |
| Network | RJ45 (1000 Mbps) |
| Audio | 3.5 mm (Combo) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 168 mm |
| Width | 80 mm |
| Height | 26 mm |
| Weight | 508.3 g |
Packaging and Accessories
The Minisopuru MD6950D comes in a multi-part packaging, similar to the DS808.
Scope of delivery are as follows:
- Minisopuru MD6950D
- 140 W power adapter
- USB cable (Type-C to Type-C)
- Flash drive
- USB Type-C to Type-A adapter
- Documentation(s)
Even the bundled accessories are almost exactly the same – with the exception of the 140 W charger.
Design, Build and Connectivity
The MD6950D follows its predecessor’s extruded aluminum shell design. The obvious differences are the I/O, along with its protruding faceplate now in a matching gun-metal gray instead of a satin black appearance.
From left to right are the following: A single 3.5 mm combo jack for headsets, an SD and TF card reader, three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports in Type-C. Three USB ports are capable of PD charging, denoted by their lightning (ϟ) symbol.
Now as for the rear I/O connections, we have the port here for the 140 W power adapter, a USB host adapter in Type-C with its own PD 85 W power, a Gigabit LAN port, and the said updated display port configurations. The MD6950D now has 2x DisplayPort and 3x HDMI ports combined.
Driving the docking station’s features is its 140 W charger. By the looks of it, this is a proper GaN charger or a rather meaty power brick. It actually looks like my VoltMe Revo 140 charger, even featuring the same collapsible two-prong power plug.
Like many Minisopuru products, the MD6950D is a well-made device. Design and feature wise, this is a much better dock compared to the older DS808 model.
Input Lag
The MD6950D improves upon its predecessor’s input lag, featuring better Display 1 and Display 3 latency performance – especially with the latter. This is a nice start for the new docking station.
Storage
Storage performance has also been improved, but it is no secret since the MD6950D now rocks a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface. I also appreciate the implementation of a USB 3.0 interface for both the SD and TF cards.
Audio
Now audio performance remains lackluster for the microphone input. Headphone output on the other-hand is decent enough. Minisopuru barely touched this area of the product – if we compare its performance to the older model.
| RightMark Audio Analyzer | Audio | ||
|---|---|---|
| Interface | In | Out |
| Frequency Response ( dBA) | +13.07, -31.50 | +0.24, -0.66 |
| Noise Level (dBA) | -90.5 | -74.2 |
| Dynamic Range (dBA) | 86.7 | 75.1 |
| THD (%) | 60.293 | 0.031 |
| THD + Noise (dBA) | -2.5 | -66.6 |
| IMD + Noise (%) | 29.522 | 0.056 |
| Stereo crosstalk (dB) | -1.9 | -0.6 |
| IMD at 10 kHz (%) | 155.861 | 0.047 |
Network
As for LAN, the MD6950D sports a tad better performance in comparison to the DS808. Not much has been gained here, but this is definitely better.
Power
With a 140 W power adapter, the MD6950D could handle sub 90 W notebooks and laptops on its own. Its PD 45 W and PD 22 W output are no slouch either. As a package, this power delivery is far superior compared to the usual pass-through options.
Final Thoughts
The Minisopuru MD6950D proves to be a commendable upgrade from its predecessor, the DS808, offering a comprehensive set of features and improvements. Priced at ₱13,200 PHP or $209.89 USD on Amazon, it clearly positions itself as a higher-end docking station with a 15-in-1 functionality which is a fine price for what it delivers to the table.
The introduction of a 140 W power adapter for an instance, enables independent charging for host devices, standing out as a notable enhancement for the desk. The addition of a power switch, a more convenient display port configuration, and the inclusion of SD and TF card slots also contributes to the overall versatility of the docking station. Now while the removal of two USB-A 2.0 ports may be a trade-off, it seems acceptable given the array of new features.
Design-wise, the MD6950D maintains the extruded aluminum shell but with subtle refinements, presenting a more cohesive and visually appealing appearance. The connectivity options, both on the front and rear, are also well-though of, providing users with a variety of ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and Gen 2 Type-C ports, DisplayPorts, HDMI ports, and a Gigabit LAN port.
Performance-wise, the MD6950D exhibits improvements in input lag, USB throughput, and network capabilities compared to its predecessor. The 140 W charger proves to be a robust power delivery solution, catering to sub-90 W notebooks and laptops with ease. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface truly enhanced its performance, though the microphone input could see further improvements.
In closing, the Minisopuru MD6950D emerges as a well-made and feature-rich docking station, addressing the shortcomings of the DS808 and providing an efficient solution for users seeking enhanced connectivity and charging capabilities. With its competitive pricing and notable performance improvements, the MD6950D establishes itself as a reliable choice in the realm of docking stations.
Minisopuru MD6950D $209.89 USD
Product Name: MD6950D
Product Description: This triple display docking station comes with a 140 W power adapter without an additional power adapter, directly provides up to 85 W fast charging for your laptop, and simultaneously can use the USB-C port on the front of the docking station to provide up to 45 W charging for your phone and iPad.
Brand: Minisopuru
Summary
The Minisopuru MD6950D proves to be a significant upgrade from the DS808, offering a refined design with improved connectivity options, and performance enhancements. Its robust power delivery and competitive pricing positions it as a reliable and versatile choice for users in need of an advanced docking station around the $200 USD mark.
