Microsoft has recently released Windows 10 in S mode a version of Windows 10 heavily reliant on the Windows Store for applications and hardware support. More recently Microsoft announced Windows 10X designed for mobile and dual-screen devices like the new Windows Surface Neo dual-screen tablet.
Microsoft has previously dabbled into portable computing and ARM based devices like the Surface RT, we will briefly touch on these products and which of our adapters, hubs, and docking stations are compatible.
Windows 10X and the Surface Neo
Right now we don't know much about the final hardware configuration of the Surface Neo, it is built on an Intel chipset and includes a USB-C port so it will likely support USB-C Power Delivery for charging, and possibly USB 3 data and it may also support USB-C DisplayPort Alterante Mode for external display capability. As more details are released we will be able to start filling in compatible docking stations, graphics adapters, and hubs to extend the functionality of this unique tablet.
Windows 10 S Mode
Windows 10 S Mode is streamlined for security and performance, this is achieved by heavily relying on the Microsoft Store for application delivery and limiting 3rd party software installations on the system. Unfortunately this can limit some hardware as well, for example our USB 3.0 docking stations require installing DisplayLink USB 3.0 Graphics Software which is not available in Windows 10 S Mode. Windows 10 S Mode can be disabled restoring the normal Windows 10 experience and allowing for the installation of software from other sources than the Microsoft Store.
Docking Stations
Our USB 3.0 docking stations are not recommended for systems with Windows 10 S Mode unless the user intends to disable S Mode and install the DisplayLink USB 3.0 Graphics Software, however many systems with Windows 10 S Mode may be compatible with our USB-C docking stations that require no additional software installations. If you are unsure if your system will be compatible with these docking stations please contact our support team at support@plugable.com and we will be happy to help!
The Plugable UD-CAM USB-C Docking Station with 90W Charging supports one HDMI monitor, up to 4K at 30Hz refresh rate, or upto 1440P resolution at 60Hz (including 1080P/Full HD at 60Hz refresh rate), and provides four USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm TRRS headset (combined headphone + microphone) port, and can provide up to 90W to a connected computer with support for USB-C Power Delivery.
The Plugable UD-CA1A USB-C Docking Station with 60W Charging supports one HDMI monitor, up to 4K at 30Hz refresh rate, or upto 1440P resolution at 60Hz (including 1080P/Full HD at 60Hz refresh rate), and provides three USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, with 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports, and can provide up to 60W to a connected computer with support for USB-C Power Delivery.
USB Hubs
The Plugable USB 3.0 7-Port Hub with 2 BC 1.2 Charging Ports and 36W Power Adapter provides seven USB 3.0 ports perfect for external storage, connecting a printer, keyboard, or mouse. Two ports support USB 3 Battery Charging 1.2 specification (BC 1.2) which provides more power than a standard USB 3.0 port for faster charging phones and tablets (does not charge iPad Pro).
The Plugable USB 3.0 3-Port Bus Powered Hub with Gigabit Ethernet includes both USB 3 Standard-A and USB-C cables for connecting to the host computer and provides three USB 3.0 ports, as well as a Gigabit Ethernet connection. This USB hub is great for working remotely, in a hotel room, at a hot desk, or at school allowing for quickly connecting a full sized keyboard, mouse, USB headphones, or external storage to the computer along with Gigabit Ethenet for when WiFi is either not available or not reliable.
USB Audio
The The Plugable USB Audio Adapter adds a 3.5mm headphone and microphone jack to computers that may not include separate audio ports.
Windows RT and ARM based Surface Tablets
Microsoft's Surface RT tablets, an early entry in the Surface line of products, since discontinued, used Microsoft Windows RT operating system, a version of the Windows operating system for ARM processors instead of the x86_64 processors in almost all desktop, laptop, and tablets running Windows.
Windows RT requires specific drivers that are not cross-compatible with standard releases of Microsoft Windows, and many devices that require 3rd party drivers are incompatible with Windows RT based devices.
Input Devices
Plugable has been producing input devices for a number of years. Below is our current lineup of USB keyboards and mice, these are compatible with Windows 10X, 10 S Mode, and Windows RT.
The Plugable Compact 87-Key Mechanical Keyboard with Blue-Style Switches provides a tactile and "clicky" typing experience and backlit keys that won't lose their legend over time. This keyboard omits a 10-key for a smaller keyboard design. For a quieter typing experience, consider our keyboards with red-style mechanical switches.
The Plugable Compact 104-Key Mechanical Keyboard with Blue-Style Switches provides a tactile and "clicky" typing experience and backlit keys that won't lose their legend over time. This keyboard features a full keyboard layout with 10-key. For a quieter typing experience, consider our keyboards with red-style mechanical switches.
The Plugable Compact 87-Key Mechanical Keyboard with Red-Style Switches provides a linear experience and backlit keys that won't lose their legend over time. This keyboard omits a 10-key for a smaller keyboard design.
The Plugable Compact 104-Key Mechanical Keyboard with Red-Style Switches provides a linear typing experience and backlit keys that won't lose their legend over time. This keyboard features a full keyboard layout with 10-key.
The Plugable Performance USB Gaming Mouse features a superb imaging sensor for accurate tracking of hand movements. Requiring no additional software, the DPI sensitivity of the mouse can be adjusted via a switch on the bottom of the mouse, and the DPI level is communicated by the color of the LED lighting in the mouse. This is a great entry-level gaming mouse contoured to fit your hand it works great in the office or at school.
The Plugable Full-Size Bluetooth Folding Keyboard is a great input device if you'd rather go for wireless input on systems featuring Bluetooth connectivity. This keyboard can also be used via a wired USB connection using the included Micro USB to USB-A cable.
USB Storage
Most USB storage devices can be used across all versions of Windows, our USB storage products rely on drivers provided by Microsoft and provide expandable storage and connectivity for hard drives, SSDs, and SD Cards.
The Plugable USB 3.1 Gen 2 to NVMe Drive Enclsoure allows for using high performance NVMe SSDs as USB storage drives! This ultra portable enclsoure can be taken with you and used to backup photos, videos, and documents quickly.
We provide both USB-A and USB-C cables for connecting to a wide variety of computer systems but we do recommend connecting to computers with USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 Gen 2 capability for best performance.
The Plugable USB 3.0 Flash Memory Card Reader adds SD and MicroSD card connectivity to your Windows system.
This card reader can be connected to the computer's USB-A port to add support for SD, SDHC, SDXC, MicroSD, MicroSDHC, and MicroSDXC cards, as well as MS, MS Pro, MS Duo, MS Pro Duo, and MSXC cards. We also make a USB-C version of this adapter.
The Plugable USB 3.1 Gen 2 Vertical Hard Drive Docking Station adds SATA hard drive and SSD storage to your Windows computer, great for system backups or expanding the storage of your computer at home or at the office.
Wired Network Adapters
Plugable offers a wide array of wired network adapters that are compatible with Windows 10 S Mode, and WIndows RT devices!
Using the ASIX AX88179 chipset, the Plugable USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet adapter is a great option for adding a Gigabit Ethernet port to your laptop or tablet. We also manufacture this Ethernet adapter with a USB-C connection for newer systems with USB-C ports.
Using the Realtek RTL8153 chipset, the Plugable USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet adapter with 3-port USB 3.0 Hub is a great way to add a couple more USB 3.0 ports to your Pi along with an additional Gigabit Ethernet port.
Using the Realtek RTL8156 chipset, the Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet adapter can add a new generation of Ethernet connectivity your system. Most consumer networking hardware is limited to 1Gbps and this adapter will need to be connected to a 2.5Gpbs or 5Gbps Ethenret switch or directly connected to another 2.5Gbps adapter to acheive a higher link rate. Additionally to take advantage of 2.5Gbps Ethenet both the computer's internal storage and the external network resource must also support 2.5Gbps or faster data transfer.
Power
Newer computers with USB-C ports and USB-C Power Delivery can be charged from a USB-C charger, this allows for computers from different manufacturers to be charged from a standardized power connection, USB-C.
The Plugable USB Type-C Power Delivery 60W Power Supply can replace a manufacturer's USB-C power supply rated up to 65W, or the manufacturer propriety power supply up to 65W for systems with USB-C Power Delivery support. Not all computers with USB-C ports support Power Delivery, if you are unsure if this will work with your computer please feel free to contact our support team at support@plugable.com and we will be happy to help!