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HP USB-C Dock G5 vs G4 - USB-C Dock Comparison 2026
By Adrian Cel| Specification | HP USB-C Dock G5 | HP USB-C Dock G4 |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Connection | USB-C | USB-C |
| Max Data Rate | 5 Gbps | 5 Gbps |
| Max Displays | 3 | 3 |
| Driver | Native | Native |
| USB Ports | 5 | 6 |
| Video Ports | 3 | 3 |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes |
| Card Reader | No | No |
| Power Delivery | 100W | 60W |
| Power Input | DC-barrel | DC-barrel |
| MSRP | N/A | N/A |
HP USB-C Dock G5 vs G4: Same Idea, Different Generations
The HP USB-C Dock G5 and HP USB-C Dock G4 are both HP business docking stations built around USB-C, Power Delivery, and native DisplayPort Alt Mode video. Neither one is a Thunderbolt dock. Neither one uses DisplayLink. That makes them attractive for simple managed office desks, but also means their display limits depend heavily on the host laptop.
The short verdict: The HP USB-C Dock G5 is the better choice for most buyers. It scores higher in our testing data, charges supported HP laptops at up to 100W instead of 60W, lists broader Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS compatibility, and has stronger advertised triple-display support. The HP USB-C Dock G4 is still useful if you find it cheaply and only need a conservative office setup.
If you are still deciding between USB-C and Thunderbolt docks, our USB-C vs Thunderbolt docking stations guide explains the bigger trade-offs.
Quick Specs Comparison
| Feature | HP USB-C Dock G5 | HP USB-C Dock G4 |
|---|---|---|
| Model | 5TW10AA#ABA | 3FF69AA |
| Our Score | 7.4/10 | 6.8/10 |
| Host Connection | USB-C, 5 Gbps | USB-C, 5 Gbps |
| Drivers Required | None | None |
| Display Technology | Native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode | Native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode |
| Max Displays | 3 | 3 |
| Best Listed Display Mode | Up to 3x 4K@60Hz on compatible hosts | 1x 4K@60Hz or up to 3 lower-resolution displays |
| Power Delivery to Host | Up to 100W for supported HP laptops, up to 75W non-HP | Up to 60W |
| USB-C Ports | 1x USB-C 3.2 with 15W accessory charging | 2x USB-C |
| USB-A Ports | 4x USB-A 3.0 | 2x USB-A 3.0, 2x USB-A 2.0 |
| Video Outputs | 2x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0 | 2x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI 2.0 |
| Ethernet | 1GbE | 1GbE |
| Audio | 3.5mm combo | 3.5mm combo |
| Host Cable | Fixed 1m USB-C cable | Included 1m USB-C cable |
| Power Adapter | 120W external adapter | 90W external adapter |
| Warranty | 1 year limited | 1 year limited |
Design and Desk Setup
Both docks are made for corporate desks rather than creator workstations. They use a single USB-C cable to connect the laptop, an external DC power adapter, rear-facing monitor and network ports, and a compact enough layout for everyday office use.
The G5 has the cleaner modern positioning. Its product data describes a compact business dock with a fixed 1 m USB-C host cable and a 120W external power adapter. The fixed cable is less flexible than a detachable design, but it also keeps the dock simple for fleet deployments.
The G4 is an older HP USB-C design. It ships with a 90W AC adapter and 1 m USB-C cable, and it still offers a practical port spread. The main issue is not desk ergonomics. It is headroom. HP’s own notes for the G4 mention bandwidth trade-offs when the dock is pushed into heavier display modes.
Design winner: HP USB-C Dock G5. The G4 is still usable, but the G5 is the more modern and better-rounded office dock.
Ports: More Modern USB on the G5, One Extra USB-C on the G4
The port comparison is closer than the overall verdict.
The HP USB-C Dock G5 includes four USB-A 3.0 ports plus one USB-C 3.2 port with 15W accessory charging. For most office setups, that is a better mix than the G4 because all four USB-A ports are the faster 3.0 type in the YAML data, and the front USB-C port has a clearly stated 15W accessory charging role.
The HP USB-C Dock G4 has two USB-C ports, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and two USB-A 2.0 ports. That means it technically gives you one more USB port overall and one more USB-C port, but two of its USB-A ports are older USB 2.0. It also carries a specific warning in its product data: in 4-lane DisplayPort mode, USB ports can fall back to USB 2.0 speeds and Ethernet can drop to 10/100.
For video outputs, both docks offer two DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI 2.0 output. The G5 specifies DisplayPort 1.4. The G4 product data lists two DisplayPort outputs without a version.
Port winner: HP USB-C Dock G5. The G4 has one extra total USB port, but the G5 has the stronger modern USB mix and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs.
Display Support
This is the biggest practical gap.
The HP USB-C Dock G5 is listed for up to three displays, with a configuration entry for up to three 3840x2160 displays at 60Hz on compatible hosts. The product data is careful about the caveat: actual limits depend on host DisplayPort Alt Mode bandwidth, GPU capabilities, and OS support. That caveat matters, but the G5 still has the stronger advertised ceiling.
The HP USB-C Dock G4 is also listed for up to three displays, but the useful limits are lower. Its product data supports one 3840x2160 display at 60Hz or up to three 1920x1080 displays at 60Hz. It also has a known limitation where high-bandwidth display modes can reduce USB and Ethernet performance.
Neither dock is magic. If your laptop lacks USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, external display support will not work correctly. If you need predictable high-end multi-monitor behavior across laptops, a Thunderbolt dock is safer. But between these two HP USB-C docks, the G5 clearly has the stronger display story.
Display winner: HP USB-C Dock G5. It has the higher listed display ceiling and fewer explicit bandwidth penalties in the product data.
Power Delivery
Power delivery is a clean win for the G5.
The HP USB-C Dock G5 can provide up to 100W to supported HP laptops and up to 75W on non-HP systems. That is enough for many business ultrabooks and some larger productivity laptops, though heavy mobile workstations may still need their original charger.
The HP USB-C Dock G4 is listed at up to 60W host charging. That can work for lighter business laptops, but it leaves less margin for high-load use or larger notebooks.
Power winner: HP USB-C Dock G5. Up to 100W for supported HP laptops is a meaningful advantage over the G4’s 60W ceiling.
Compatibility and Driver Requirements
Both docks avoid DisplayLink. That is good if you want a simpler driver-free setup, lower latency, and fewer software layers. It also means you need to respect the host laptop’s USB-C capabilities.
The G5 has the broader official OS story in the YAML data: Windows 10 and 11, macOS, and ChromeOS are all listed. There are caveats. HP notes it does not provide Ethernet and audio drivers on Mac PCs, and macOS can be restrictive with MST-style multi-display behavior.
The G4 lists Windows 10 and ChromeOS support in the product data. It also includes enterprise-oriented features such as PXE Boot, Wake-on-LAN, MAC address pass-through, and 802.1x authentication. Those are useful in business deployments, but the G4’s older platform and bandwidth trade-offs make it less flexible overall.
Both docks share the same basic warning: laptops without USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode will not deliver the expected monitor experience.
Compatibility winner: HP USB-C Dock G5. It has broader listed OS support and better charging flexibility, though Mac users should still read the caveats carefully.
Common Issues
The G5 is not trouble-free. Its product data mentions flickering screens, wake-from-sleep issues, inconsistent monitor detection, and occasional Ethernet reliability problems on some systems. The suggested fix pattern is familiar: update dock firmware, laptop BIOS, graphics drivers, and reconnect the dock if displays fail to wake.
The G4 has its own issues. The product data mentions monitor flicker or instability with mixed resolutions, reduced USB and Ethernet throughput in higher-display-bandwidth modes, and inconsistent reliability with some non-HP or refurbished setups.
The difference is that the G4’s limitations are more structural. The G5 has real-world reliability complaints, but the G4 explicitly gives up USB and Ethernet performance in some heavy display modes.
Reliability winner: HP USB-C Dock G5, narrowly. Both need host compatibility checks and current firmware, but the G4’s bandwidth trade-offs are harder to work around.
Verdict: HP USB-C Dock G5 Wins for Most Buyers
The HP USB-C Dock G5 is the better HP USB-C dock in this matchup. It wins on score, charging power, display ceiling, OS compatibility, and modern port mix. It is not as predictable as a Thunderbolt dock for demanding multi-monitor setups, but it is the stronger choice if you specifically want an HP USB-C dock.
The HP USB-C Dock G4 still has a place. It can handle one 4K screen or simpler lower-resolution office layouts, it avoids DisplayLink, and it includes useful enterprise features. But in 2026, it only makes sense if the price is meaningfully lower or you are replacing an existing G4 in a known-good setup.
Choose the HP USB-C Dock G5 if:
- You want the better overall HP USB-C dock
- You need more than 60W laptop charging
- Your setup may involve triple-display workflows on compatible hosts
- You want listed Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS compatibility
- You prefer four USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C 3.2 front port with 15W accessory charging
Choose the HP USB-C Dock G4 if:
- You find it much cheaper than the G5
- You only need one 4K display or conservative lower-resolution monitor layouts
- You want two USB-C ports on the dock itself
- You are using it with known-compatible HP business laptops
- You can live with the documented bandwidth trade-offs in heavier display modes
For individual deep dives, read our HP USB-C Dock G5 review and HP USB-C Dock G4 review. If you want stronger multi-monitor headroom, compare these against the options in our best docking stations for dual monitors guide.