Many excellent docking stations exist for gaming handhelds, however, a majority of them do not accommodate the newest USB4 and HDMI 2.1 specifications.
Among many USB hubs available, only a handful come with a useful stand to elevate your portable or additional devices.
With the BenQ beCreatus USB4 Gaming Handheld Dock (GR10), they’re bringing in a device that combines an intelligent design with 40GBps of data speed, making it a versatile and excellent accessory for various purposes.
Indeed, the USB4 feature comes at an additional cost, and it might be more bandwidth than necessary for your specific setup. What frustrates me most about this product, though, is its miniaturization. It appears that BenQ aimed to make this device as small as a portable USB hub.
Typically, that would work well, but there’s a limitation due to physics: the collapsible stand only fits within specific dimensions. This issue prevents many high-end, handheld devices with USB4 ports from utilizing it fully, and even devices compatible with the stand will be excluded if you choose to use a case.
BenQ USB4 Dock review: Cheat sheet
- What is it? A compact USB4 docking station designed for mobile and handheld gaming.
- Who is it for? Those who want to dock their gaming handheld or device with high-speed USB ports, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet.
- How much does it cost? You can buy the BenQ beCreatus USB4 Gaming Handheld Dock (GR10) for $109 at Amazon.
- What did I like? The clever, adjustable design and reliable performance of the ports.
- What did I not like? The compact size of the stand, the price, and the limited number of ports.
BenQ USB4 Dock review: Specifications
Inside the container, you’ll discover the BenQ beCreatus USB4 Gaming Handheld Dock (GR10). The USB4 host connection cable is not removable, but it does come with a 90-degree adapter for convenience. Regrettably, there is no charger provided within the package.
BenQ USB4 Dock review: What I like
As soon as you remove the GR10 from its packaging, it gives off a vibe that’s more akin to a compact USB4 hub rather than a traditional docking station.
This gadget doesn’t need an external power supply to add more ports to your device, making it a handy choice for many users. BenQ designed it with both portable devices like handhelds and dockable devices in mind.
On one part of the GR10, you can extend it to establish a robust, grip-enhanced base for your gadgets. This thoughtfully designed feature offers great adaptability. The bottom half of the GR10 is lined with semi-adhesive silicone, ensuring its stability on any hard surface.
As an analyst, I’d rephrase it like this: While the USB4 connecting cable isn’t removable, it’s conveniently stowable due to a hidden slot located on the base of the dock. Additionally, there’s a detachable 90-degree adapter at the cable’s end, which is particularly useful for gaming handhelds with ports situated at the top.
The ports are neatly arranged at the back and on one side, and BenQ employs a blend of grey aluminum and matte black plastic to ensure structural integrity. This straightforward, space-saving, and adaptable design is something I genuinely admire.
If your device can fit in that stand (more on that later), it also feels decently stable.
The GR10 is compact and light, making it convenient to store in your backpack pocket. However, due to its size, it has limited connectivity options. BenQ refers to this dock as a “7-in-1,” but in reality, there are only five functional ports available. The remaining two are the USB4 upstream cable and the 100W Power Delivery input.
You’ll have a good selection of ports to work with. Specifically, you’ll find two USB Type-A and one USB Type-C ports, all offering data transfer speeds of up to 10GBps and charging capabilities ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 watts. Additionally, there’s a Gigabit Ethernet port available, which maxes out at 2.5GBps. This speed should suffice for most users.
As an analyst, I can express that the display output is managed by the advanced HDMI 2.1 standard, enabling one external monitor to reach Full High Definition (FHD) at a blazing 360Hz, or stretch up to 4K resolution at a swift 120Hz, or even extend all the way to an impressive 8K at 60Hz. However, when working on macOS, you are restricted to 4K and 60Hz for optimal performance.
It would be convenient to include a fast microSD or SD card slot, as well as an additional USB port or two, but BenQ has opted for utilizing the 40GBps bandwidth provided by USB4 instead. Regardless of how many ports are used concurrently at once, there should be no problems encountered.
I must say, it’s quite a delight to possess a device that can dish out up to 100W of Power Delivery, catering perfectly to my gaming handheld, tablet, or any other gadget I might have.
Discussing gadgets, it’s worth mentioning that compatibility is excellent. The GR10 docks well with a wide range of devices sporting USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 ports, which can handle data, video, and power transmission. It’s also compatible with slower USB standards such as those found on numerous devices and handhelds, but be aware that there might be potential issues related to performance and stability when using these connections.
BenQ USB4 Dock review: What I don’t like
You might find it straightforward to identify the potential drawbacks of the GR10 model, such as its higher price tag compared to other well-liked USB4 docking stations on the market.
Many individuals find they don’t require USB4 functionality, and there exists a multitude of USB4 docking stations and hubs offering a greater number of connectivity options compared to this particular model.
It may have come as a surprise, but I should note that the extra expense doesn’t include a charger in the package. So, you’ll need to provide your own 65-100W power source for Power Delivery.
It’s not shocking, given that; the GR10’s most notable flaw is also one of its advantages, and that’s its compact construction.
As a researcher, I found that the foldable stand offers a suitable amount of room for some slimmer gaming handhelds such as the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. However, none of these devices possess USB4 ports capable of fully utilizing the dock’s bandwidth potential.
Handheld gaming devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally X, MSI Claw 8+ AI, and Lenovo Legion Go S, which feature USB4 or Thunderbolt technology, are too large to accommodate in the GR10’s stand. If you use a case with your handheld device, it is highly likely that it won’t fit either, even if it is compatible, due to its size.
Taller handheld devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go may feel quite wobbly on this stand, and this issue is likely to extend to many tablets as well. Unfortunately, considering you’re shelling out extra for USB4, it seems this dock wasn’t tailored to accommodate the high-end devices that can take advantage of this technology.
BenQ USB4 Dock review: My final thoughts
✅You should buy this if …
- You want a docking station that can double as a portable USB hub.
- You’re willing to pay extra for USB4 and HDMI 2.1 features.
- You plan to connect more than just your handheld to this dock.
❌You should not buy this if …
- You have a larger gaming handheld, like the ASUS ROG Ally X.
- You won’t take advantage of the USB4 bandwidth.
The BenQ beCreatus USB4 Gaming Handheld Dock is incredibly handy due to its intelligent and adaptable design, allowing it to transition seamlessly from a powerful 100W charging station to a comprehensive portable USB hub within seconds.
As a researcher examining this device, I can confidently say that its construction is robust and reliable, ensuring top-notch performance with the current standards. Leveraging a 40GBps bandwidth, it delivers an exceptional user experience. While it’s priced significantly higher than your typical gaming handheld dock, its features more than justify the investment.
Despite having plenty of bandwidth, the device lacks multiple ports, which is a drawback since larger devices designed to fully utilize this speed are too big to fit into the stand. This inconvenience serves to highlight the price tag even further.
The GR10 might not be exactly like a docking station in certain aspects, but rather resembles a USB hub more closely. However, it remains an dependable partner that I would wholeheartedly endorse. If its features suit your needs perfectly, the BenQ beCreatus USB4 Gaming Handheld Dock is available for just $109 on Amazon.
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2025-04-13 15:10