Lenovo ThinkPad USB-C Dock Review 2026 - Specs & Pros

Name: Lenovo ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock
Brand: Lenovo
Price: 299.99 USD
Availability: InStock

The Lenovo ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock (40AY0090US) is a versatile enterprise docking station designed to work with virtually any USB-C laptop, not just ThinkPads. With 11 ports including three USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, two USB 2.0 Type-A, two DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack, this dock covers the essentials for a professional desktop setup. The dock supports up to three simultaneous displays, making it one of the more capable USB-C docks in its price range. Power delivery tops out at 65W with the included 90W adapter, or up to 100W if you purchase the optional 135W slim-tip adapter separately. Lenovo positions this dock as a universal solution for mixed-fleet IT environments where not every employee uses the same laptop brand. The plug-and-play design means no driver installation is needed for basic functionality on Windows, macOS, or Linux. It relies on native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode and MST (Multi-Stream Transport) for multi-monitor output. Enterprise IT teams will appreciate the support for PXE boot, Wake-on-LAN, and MAC Address Pass-Through, along with automatic firmware updates via Lenovo Dock Manager. At around $300, the ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock sits in a reasonable middle ground between affordability and capability for business users.

Best for Enterprise

Pros & Cons

What We Like

Triple display support on Windows (2x DP 1.4 + 1x HDMI 2.0)
Universal compatibility: works with ThinkPad, Dell, HP, and other USB-C laptops
Enterprise IT features: PXE boot, WOL, MAC Address Pass-Through, remote management
3-year warranty, strong for an enterprise USB-C dock
11 ports including Gigabit Ethernet and combo audio jack
No drivers required, plug and play via native USB-C DP Alt Mode
Compact form factor at 170.9 x 80 x 30.7mm

What Could Be Better

Included 90W adapter only delivers 65W to host. 135W adapter sold separately for 100W
Workaround: Purchase the optional Lenovo 135W slim-tip power adapter (40AY0135US SKU) for up to 100W delivery.
macOS limited to single extended display (no MST support)
Workaround: Use a Thunderbolt dock like CalDigit TS4 for dual displays on Mac, or use a DisplayLink adapter.
No SD or microSD card reader
Workaround: Use an external USB card reader.
Occasional connectivity glitches after laptop sleep on some systems
Workaround: Unplug and replug the USB-C cable, or update dock firmware via Lenovo Dock Manager.
65W charging insufficient for larger workstation laptops
Workaround: Upgrade to the 135W power adapter for up to 100W charging.

Display Support

Max Displays: 3

1 display (Single 4K@60Hz via any video output (DP 1.4 or HDMI 2.0))

3840x2160 @ 60Hz

2 displays (Dual 4K@60Hz via 2x DisplayPort 1.4 (Windows only, MST required))

3840x2160 @ 60Hz

3 displays (Triple 1080p@60Hz via 2x DP + 1x HDMI (Windows only, MST required))

1920x1080 @ 60Hz

Ports & Connectivity

USB Ports

1x USB-C 3.1

3x USB-A 3.1

2x USB-A 2.0

Video Outputs

2x DisplayPort 1.4

1x HDMI 2.0

Network

1x Ethernet (1 Gbps)

Audio

1x 3.5mm combo

Full Specifications

General
Manufacturer	Lenovo
Model	40AY0090US
Release Date	2021-04
MSRP	$299.99
Connectivity
Host Connection	USB-C
Max Data Rate	10 Gbps
Driver Required	No (native)
Display Output
Max Displays	3
1x Display	3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Single 4K@60Hz via any video output (DP 1.4 or HDMI 2.0))
2x Display	3840x2160 @ 60Hz (Dual 4K@60Hz via 2x DisplayPort 1.4 (Windows only, MST required))
3x Display	1920x1080 @ 60Hz (Triple 1080p@60Hz via 2x DP + 1x HDMI (Windows only, MST required))
Ports (9+ total)
USB-C 3.1	1x
USB-A 3.1	3x
USB-A 2.0	2x
DisplayPort 1.4	2x
HDMI 2.0	1x
Ethernet (RJ45)	1x 1 Gbps
Audio (3.5mm-combo)	1x
Power
Power Input	DC-barrel
Laptop Charging	Up to 65W

Compatibility

Windows (10+)

Full support including triple display via MST. PXE boot, WOL, and MAC Address Pass-Through supported. Lenovo Dock Manager available for firmware updates.

macOS (11.0 (Big Sur)+)

Single extended display only. macOS does not support MST. Additional displays will mirror. Charging via USB-C PD works normally.

ChromeOS

Supported on USB-C Chromebooks with DisplayPort Alt Mode.

Linux

Works with most distributions via native USB-C support. No Lenovo management tools available for Linux.

Known Issues

macOS (all versions)

Only single extended display supported

Laptops without DP Alt Mode

No video output

Some Lenovo Legion laptops

Wake-on-LAN button may not function

7.2 /10

Our Verdict

Very Good

The Lenovo ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock is a solid, no-nonsense enterprise docking station that delivers reliable performance for office productivity. Its strongest point is universal compatibility: it works well with ThinkPads, Dell, HP, and other USB-C laptops, making it ideal for organizations with mixed hardware fleets. The triple-display support on Windows via MST is a genuine productivity booster, and the port selection covers all essential office needs including Gigabit Ethernet and a combo audio jack. Enterprise IT features like PXE boot, WOL, and MAC Address Pass-Through set it apart from consumer docks. The 3-year warranty provides confidence for fleet deployments. However, there are notable limitations. The included 90W adapter only delivers 65W to the host laptop, which may be insufficient for power-hungry 15-inch or 16-inch workstation laptops. You will need to buy the 135W adapter separately for 100W delivery, which adds to the total cost. macOS users face the familiar MST limitation: only a single extended display is possible, with additional monitors mirroring rather than extending. The dock also lacks an SD card reader, which may disappoint creative professionals. Some users report occasional connectivity glitches after sleep, particularly on non-Lenovo laptops. If you are in a Windows-centric enterprise environment, the Lenovo ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock is worth considering for its port variety and enterprise management features at a fair price. Mac users or those needing more than 65W charging out of the box should consider alternatives like the CalDigit TS4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Lenovo ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock work with non-Lenovo laptops?

Yes. Despite the ThinkPad branding, this dock is universally compatible with any laptop that has a USB-C port supporting DisplayPort Alt Mode and Power Delivery. This includes Dell, HP, Asus, and MacBook models. However, enterprise IT features like PXE boot and MAC Address Pass-Through work best with Lenovo ThinkPad systems.

Can this dock drive three monitors on macOS?

No. macOS does not support MST (Multi-Stream Transport), so you are limited to a single extended display on Mac. The other video outputs will mirror the first display. If you need multiple external displays on a Mac, consider a Thunderbolt dock like the CalDigit TS4 or a DisplayLink-based solution.

What is the difference between the 90W and 135W adapter versions?

The standard 40AY0090US model includes a 90W power adapter that delivers up to 65W to your laptop via USB-C Power Delivery. The 40AY0135US version comes with a 135W slim-tip adapter that enables up to 100W of charging to the host laptop. You can also buy the 135W adapter separately to upgrade.

Does this dock require driver installation?

No. The ThinkPad Universal USB-C Dock is plug-and-play and uses native USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode for video output. No third-party drivers like DisplayLink are needed. However, Lenovo offers an optional Dock Manager utility for Windows that handles firmware updates and diagnostics.

Is the Lenovo ThinkPad USB-C Dock suitable for gaming or creative work?

This dock is designed for office productivity, not gaming or creative workflows. It lacks features like high-refresh-rate display output, SD card readers, and high-bandwidth USB-C ports needed for external GPUs. For gaming, consider a Thunderbolt dock. For creative work requiring card readers, look at the CalDigit TS4.