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Diamond DS3900PD Review 2026 - Specs, Pros & Cons

6.5 Good
Adrian Cel By Adrian Cel

The Diamond Multimedia DS3900PD is a USB-C docking station that uses the DisplayLink DL-3900 chip to drive three displays simultaneously - one 4K HDMI port and one standard HDMI port alongside a DVI output. The connection to the host is through a single USB-C cable, with a USB 3.0 Type-A to USB-C adapter included for laptops that lack a Type-C port. That makes it genuinely universal: compatible with USB-C, USB-A, and Thunderbolt 3 hosts. Power delivery is 65W through the upstream port, supplied by the included 100W DC barrel adapter. Port selection includes four USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB-C downstream ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. Because it relies on DisplayLink rather than native video output, the DS3900PD works with Apple Silicon MacBooks for multi-display setups - provided you install the DisplayLink Manager software and grant screen recording permission. Diamond Multimedia positions the DS3900PD as a universal desk expansion solution for laptops, tablets, and ultrabooks that need a full peripheral array. It ships with the docking station, a USB-C to USB-C cable with E-Mark chip, a USB 3.0 A to C adapter, a DVI to VGA adapter, the 100W power adapter, and a user manual.

Pros & Cons

What We Like

  • Genuine triple display support via DisplayLink DL-3900 - works with Apple Silicon and any USB host
  • Universal compatibility: ships with USB-A to USB-C adapter, supports USB-C, USB-A, and Thunderbolt 3 hosts
  • 65W power delivery charges most ultrabooks and 13-inch laptops from the same cable
  • Four USB 3.0 ports plus two USB-C downstream - solid peripheral capacity for a budget dock
  • Includes DVI to VGA adapter for older monitors with only VGA input

What Could Be Better

  • 4K output limited to 30Hz - not suitable for gaming or refresh-rate-sensitive work

    Workaround: Use the 4K port for static content or productivity tasks. Route video work to a 1080p@60Hz display.

  • DisplayLink driver required - adds setup complexity and screen recording permission prompt on macOS

    Workaround: Download DisplayLink Manager from displaylink.com before connecting the dock. Grant Screen Recording permission during first setup.

  • 65W power delivery may be insufficient for larger 15-inch or 16-inch laptops under sustained load

    Workaround: For power-hungry laptops, keep the original charger connected or use the dock for lighter workloads.

  • macOS 10.13.4 through 10.13.6 explicitly not supported

    Workaround: Update to macOS 10.14 Mojave or later, or roll back to macOS 10.13.3. The three specific High Sierra point releases are the only excluded macOS versions.

  • Older product using DL-3900 chip - no Thunderbolt 4, USB4, or 4K@60Hz display output

    Workaround: For 4K@60Hz triple display, consider newer DisplayLink 6xxx-based docks.

Display Support

Max Displays: 3
1 display (Single 4K@30Hz via HDMI 4K port (MST))
3840x2160 @ 30Hz
1 display (1080p@60Hz via standard HDMI port (DisplayLink))
1920x1080 @ 60Hz
1 display (1080p@60Hz via DVI port (DisplayLink))
1920x1080 @ 60Hz
3 displays (Triple display: 4K@30Hz HDMI + 1080p@60Hz HDMI + 1080p@60Hz DVI. All three simultaneously.)
1920x1080 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

4x USB-A 3.0
2x USB-C 3.1

Video Outputs

1x HDMI 2.0
1x HDMI 1.4
1x DVI-D

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Audio

1x 3.5mm combo

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer Diamond Multimedia
Model DS3900PD
Release Date 2019-09
MSRP $89.99
Connectivity
Host Connection USB-C
Max Data Rate 10 Gbps
Driver Required DisplayLink
Display Output
Max Displays 3
1x Display 3840x2160 @ 30Hz (Single 4K@30Hz via HDMI 4K port (MST))
1x Display 1920x1080 @ 60Hz (1080p@60Hz via standard HDMI port (DisplayLink))
1x Display 1920x1080 @ 60Hz (1080p@60Hz via DVI port (DisplayLink))
3x Display 1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Triple display: 4K@30Hz HDMI + 1080p@60Hz HDMI + 1080p@60Hz DVI. All three simultaneously.)
Ports (9+ total)
USB-A 3.0 4x
USB-C 3.1 2x
HDMI 2.0 1x
HDMI 1.4 1x
DVI-D 1x
Ethernet (RJ45) 1x 1 Gbps
Audio (3.5mm-combo) 1x
Power
Power Input DC-barrel
Laptop Charging Up to 65W

Compatibility

Windows (7+)

Full support on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10. Requires DisplayLink driver install. Triple display works after driver setup.

macOS (10.6+)

Compatible with macOS 10.6 and later (excluding 10.13.4, 10.13.5, 10.13.6). Requires DisplayLink Manager and Screen Recording permission. Works on Apple Silicon M1 and later for multi-display setups.

ChromeOS

Partial support. Single display and USB peripherals work on most Chromebooks. Multi-display functionality depends on ChromeOS version.

Android (5.0+)

Compatible with Android 5.0 and later devices with USB-C video output support.

Known Issues

macOS 10.13.4, 10.13.5, 10.13.6

Not compatible

Early 2015 MacBook

4K HDMI output may not function

6.5 /10

Our Verdict

Good

The Diamond DS3900PD occupies a specific niche: triple display docking at a budget price point, compatible with practically any USB host through its included USB-A adapter. The DisplayLink DL-3900 chip delivers on the triple display promise - 4K at 30Hz on the main HDMI, 1080p on the secondary HDMI, and 1080p on the DVI port. That 30Hz cap on 4K is the most noticeable limitation; for everyday office work it is acceptable, but content creators and anyone sensitive to refresh rate will want to look at newer DisplayLink-based docks. The 65W power delivery is enough for most 13-inch laptops but may fall short for 15-inch or 16-inch models under load. Port count is practical: four USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB-C downstream, Gigabit Ethernet, and audio cover the core desktop peripherals. The inclusion of a USB-A to USB-C cable means the DS3900PD genuinely works with older laptops that have no USB-C port, which sets it apart from USB-C-only docks. DisplayLink driver installation is required and adds a step to setup, and macOS users need to grant screen recording permission before displays activate. The dock is built from matte black plastic, light at 0.55 pounds, and runs warm under full load - expected behavior for a DisplayLink dock driving three screens. At street prices around $40-90 the DS3900PD is an affordable entry into triple display territory, though the 30Hz 4K ceiling and driver dependency mean it suits office workflows better than video or creative work.

Available at Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Diamond DS3900PD work with Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. Because it uses DisplayLink technology, the DS3900PD supports multi-display output on M1, M2, M3, and M4 MacBooks. You need to install DisplayLink Manager and grant Screen Recording permission in macOS System Settings. The dock works around Apple Silicon's native single-external-display limitation through software rendering.
Does the Diamond DS3900PD support 4K at 60Hz?
No. The DS3900PD uses the DisplayLink DL-3900 chip, which limits 4K output to 30Hz. The 4K HDMI port is rated at 3840x2160@30Hz. The standard HDMI and DVI ports support up to 1080p@60Hz. If you need 4K@60Hz, look for docks based on the newer DisplayLink DL-6xxx series.
Can I use the Diamond DS3900PD with a USB-A laptop?
Yes. Diamond includes a USB 3.0 Type-A to USB-C adapter in the box specifically for laptops without a USB-C port. Connect the adapter to a USB 3.0 port on your laptop, then use the USB-C cable between the adapter and the dock. Note that USB-A connections max out at USB 3.0 speeds, which may limit video performance compared to a native USB-C or Thunderbolt connection.
How many monitors can I connect to the DS3900PD?
Three monitors simultaneously: one via the 4K HDMI port (3840x2160@30Hz), one via the standard HDMI port (up to 1080p@60Hz), and one via the DVI port (up to 1080p@60Hz). A DVI to VGA adapter is included if your monitor only has VGA input.
What is the power delivery wattage for laptop charging?
The DS3900PD delivers up to 65W of power to the host laptop via the USB-C upstream port. This is sufficient for most ultrabooks and 13-inch laptops. Larger 15-inch and 16-inch laptops with higher power requirements may charge slowly or draw additional power from their original charger under sustained load.
Does the Diamond DS3900PD require drivers on Windows?
Yes. DisplayLink drivers must be installed on Windows for the video outputs to function. Download the latest DisplayLink driver from displaylink.com. Once installed, the dock operates plug-and-play. Without drivers, only USB peripherals and Ethernet will function.

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