Accell K172B Review 2026 - USB 3.0 Docking Station Specs & Verdict

Name: Accell USB 3.0 Universal Docking Station (K172B-002B)
Brand: Accell
SKU: K172B-002B

The Accell K172B-002B is a USB 3.0 universal docking station that connects to your laptop via a standard USB-A 3.0 port and adds dual display output, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB-A 3.0 ports, and a combo audio jack from a single cable. It uses the DisplayLink DL-5900 chipset for its video output, meaning it requires a driver install and works on Windows 7 or newer. Official macOS support is limited to versions 10.6 through 10.11 (El Capitan), which makes it a poor fit for any modern Mac. The display configuration is flexible within limits: connect a single monitor to the DisplayPort for 4K at 30Hz, use the HDMI 1.3 port for up to 2560x1440 at 50Hz, or run dual displays at up to 2048x1152 at 60Hz simultaneously. There is no power delivery to the host laptop - the USB-A connection only carries data and the dock needs its own AC adapter. The dock measures 6 x 3.1 x 1 inches and weighs under 300 grams, making it small enough to slip into a laptop bag alongside a 2-foot USB-A to USB-B cable. At $149.99, it sits at the high end of the USB 3.0 DisplayLink dock category and faces stiff competition from USB-C and Thunderbolt alternatives that offer more bandwidth and laptop charging. It is best suited for Windows users who need a compact DisplayLink dock for an older machine with USB-A only ports.

Pros & Cons

What We Like

Connects via standard USB-A 3.0 - no special ports required on the host laptop
DisplayPort output supports up to 4K@30Hz on a single display
Compact form factor (6 x 3.1 x 1 inch) fits easily in a laptop bag
Front-facing USB and audio ports make daily connections easy without reaching behind the dock
Gigabit Ethernet adds wired network connectivity to any USB 3.0 laptop

What Could Be Better

No power delivery to host laptop - USB-A connection carries data only
Workaround: Use a separate laptop charger alongside the dock. This means two cables instead of one.
Official macOS support ends at 10.11 El Capitan - incompatible with any Mac running Sierra or later
Workaround: Mac users should look for a Thunderbolt or USB-C DisplayLink dock with active macOS 12+ support.
Dual display resolution capped at 2048x1152@60Hz - below 1440p
Workaround: For 1440p or 4K dual display, use a USB-C or Thunderbolt dock with DisplayLink.
Single DisplayPort output limited to 4K@30Hz, which is uncomfortable as a primary display
Workaround: Use HDMI output for 1080p@60Hz if 30Hz is unacceptable. For 4K@60Hz, a USB-C or Thunderbolt dock is required.
Requires DisplayLink driver installation - plug-and-play video does not work
Workaround: Download and install DisplayLink Manager from displaylink.com before first use.
Only 3 USB-A ports and no USB-C port limits expandability
Workaround: Add a USB hub to one of the USB-A ports for additional connections.

Display Support

Max Displays: 2

1 display (Single display via DisplayPort only. 4K@30Hz. Requires DisplayLink driver.)

3840x2160 @ 30Hz

1 display (Single display via HDMI 1.3. Max 2560x1440@50Hz or 1920x1080@60Hz.)

2560x1440 @ 50Hz

2 displays (Dual display mode caps at 2048x1152@60Hz per screen. Requires DisplayLink driver. Both outputs active simultaneously.)

1920x1080 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

2x USB-A 3.0

1x USB-A 3.0 7.5W

Video Outputs

1x DisplayPort 1.2

1x HDMI 1.3

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Audio

1x 3.5mm combo

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer	Accell
Model	K172B-002B
Release Date	2016-01
MSRP	$149.99
Connectivity
Host Connection	USB-A
Max Data Rate	5 Gbps
Driver Required	DisplayLink
Display Output
Max Displays	2
1x Display	3840x2160 @ 30Hz (Single display via DisplayPort only. 4K@30Hz. Requires DisplayLink driver.)
1x Display	2560x1440 @ 50Hz (Single display via HDMI 1.3. Max 2560x1440@50Hz or 1920x1080@60Hz.)
2x Display	1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Dual display mode caps at 2048x1152@60Hz per screen. Requires DisplayLink driver. Both outputs active simultaneously.)
Ports (5+ total)
USB-A 3.0	2x
USB-A 3.0	1x (7.5W)
DisplayPort 1.2	1x
HDMI 1.3	1x
Ethernet (RJ45)	1x 1 Gbps
Audio (3.5mm-combo)	1x
Power
Power Input	DC-barrel

Compatibility

Windows (7+)

Full support on Windows 7 and newer. DisplayLink driver required. Dual display and all ports functional.

macOS (10.6+)

Official support limited to macOS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) through 10.11 (El Capitan). Not supported on macOS Sierra (10.12) or newer per Accell specifications. Modern Macs should use a different dock.

Known Issues

macOS Sierra (10.12) and newer

Not officially supported

Laptops without USB-A 3.0

Requires USB-A 3.0 host port

Laptops with USB-A 2.0 only

USB 2.0 host port not supported

5.5 /10

Our Verdict

Average

The Accell K172B occupies an increasingly narrow niche: USB 3.0 DisplayLink docking stations made sense when laptops still lacked USB-C, but that ship has largely sailed. For Windows users on older hardware with only USB-A ports, it does deliver on its core promise - dual monitors, Gigabit Ethernet, and a few extra USB ports from one cable. The port layout is sensible, with the video and Ethernet ports on the back and the USB ports and audio jack on the front for easy daily access. The DisplayPort output hitting 4K at 30Hz is a genuine capability, not a marketing stretch, though 30Hz is uncomfortable for most people as a primary display. Dual-display use tops out at 2048x1152 at 60Hz, which is acceptable for productivity work on older 1080p panels. The main problems are price and platform support. At $149.99, you can buy a capable USB-C dock with Power Delivery for the same money or less - and those work with every modern laptop regardless of port type. The macOS support ceiling of 10.11 means anyone running a Mac made after 2015 cannot use this dock officially. Even on supported macOS versions, DisplayLink performance has historically been inconsistent. If you are specifically locked into a Windows machine with only USB-A 3.0 and need dual displays plus Ethernet, the Accell K172B works. For anyone with USB-C or Thunderbolt on their laptop, look elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Accell K172B work on modern Macs?

No. Accell officially supports macOS 10.6 through 10.11 (El Capitan) only. Any Mac running macOS Sierra (10.12) or newer is not supported. If you have a modern Mac, look for a USB-C or Thunderbolt dock with current macOS support.

Can the Accell K172B charge my laptop?

No. The K172B connects via USB-A 3.0, which carries data only and cannot deliver power to the host laptop. You will need to use your laptop's original charger separately alongside the dock.

Does the Accell K172B require drivers?

Yes. It uses the DisplayLink DL-5900 chipset, which requires the DisplayLink driver to enable video output. Download DisplayLink Manager from displaylink.com and install it before connecting the dock. Without the driver, the video ports will not work.

What resolution does the Accell K172B support?

Single DisplayPort: up to 3840x2160 (4K) at 30Hz. Single HDMI: up to 2560x1440 at 50Hz. Dual display: up to 2048x1152 at 60Hz on each screen. For 4K at 60Hz or 1440p at 60Hz on dual displays, a higher-bandwidth dock is required.

Can I use the Accell K172B with a USB-C laptop?

Only with an adapter. The dock requires a USB-A 3.0 port on the host machine. You can use a USB-C to USB-A adapter to connect, but this is not officially supported and may reduce reliability. A USB-C native dock is the better choice for USB-C laptops.