- Locating an appropriate dock for portable devices can be challenging, and support for HDMI 2.1 with 4K at 120Hz is not widely available.
- The Jsaux 6-in-1 Docking Station is an excellent choice.
- Experience the ease of use with an integrated USB-C cable along with additional ports for a desktop-style connection when connected to a docking station.
The current era of handheld gaming is unquestionably impressive and something I never imagined would come true when I was young.
Running a high-cost game on mobile devices when traveling Steam Deck or the ROG Ally X , and then connecting that portable device to your TV allows you to enjoy the same experience on a larger screen—a childhood fantasy realized. This setup encourages me to game far more often than before and makes it simpler to play games in quick sessions (recently, I’ve been immersed in 'Death Stranding'). Nevertheless, finding the appropriate docking station can be bewildering since, unlike with the Switch (and shortly for the Switch 2 where only Nintendo’s official docking station is included Genki's third-party offerings , there are numerous docking stations available for handheld devices such as the ROG Ally X, particularly on Amazon However, they frequently come with either a hefty price tag or lack HDMI 2.1 4K 120Hz support.
Following many hours of investigation, I ultimately decided on Jsaux's Multi-Purpose 6-in-1 Docking Station , a compact USB-C docking station designed to work seamlessly with devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally X, and MSI Claw. This dock includes all the necessary functionalities I require and comes equipped with additional features that ensure it remains relevant for upcoming handheld consoles.
There's a more expensive JSAUX 7-in-1 RGB Cooling Docking Station Now that one costs $60, however, the extra expense does not appear justified. Jsaux also offers an option for $86. 6-in-1 Docking Station featuring an M.2 SSD Enclosure (I chose not to go with this option as I don't require additional storage).
Support for HDMI 2.1 with 4K at 120Hz is uncommon in portable docking stations.
I likely won't use this feature frequently, but it's good to know it's available.
A benefit of the ROG Ally X and Steam Deck OLED is their capability to achieve up to 120Hz and 90Hz refresh rates, correspondingly. However, since I mostly do not game at refresh rates over 60Hz/60fps, Tunk stands out as an outlier for me.
Nevertheless, I strongly desired a docking station capable of delivering 4K resolution at 120Hz just in case I would need the extra bandwidth sometime down the line. Therefore, during my search for such a device, support for HDMI 2.1 became essential. Fortunately, the Jsaux 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station provides HDMI 2.1 compatibility, enabling outputs up to 4K at 120 frames per second as well as 1080p at an impressive 240 frames per second.
If you're aiming to hit 4K 120Hz, make sure you're using a compatible HDMI 2.0 cable.
Sadly, the Jsaux 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station does not come with a power adapter. However, it has the advantage of supporting up to 100W of power input, making it compatible with rapid charging devices such as the ROG 140W USB-C Gallium Nitride power adapter For several months now, I have been using this setup. You connect the charger to the side of the 6-in-1 device, and subsequently, the dock gets plugged into your portable console’s USB-C port (which happens to be my ROG Ally X).
This indicates that I can utilize an extra USB-C port for more peripherals along with the Jsaux's 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station’s features such as USB-C 3.2 (5 Gbps), USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), Gigabit Ethernet (1,000 Mbps), HDMI 2.1 (4K/120Hz), and a USB-C PD 100W input port. The capability to provide up to 100 watts guarantees continuous charging of the handheld device even when using high-performance systems like the ROG Ally X or Steam Deck OLED intensively. Previously, certain docking stations failed to manage this level of wattage efficiently, causing my handheld devices’ batteries to drain gradually during gameplay.
You don't have to use its stand.
Fortunately, it comes off quite effortlessly.
The moment I laid my hands on the ROG Ally X, I grabbed it. dbrand's Kill Switch The case for the handheld improves grip significantly, which I find very helpful. However, this increased thickness makes it incompatible with many standard docking stations, such as the Jsaux 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station. Fortunately, I can easily detach the dock from its base whenever needed. Actually, I utilize the built-in kickstand of the Kill Switch case to prop up the ROG Ally X next to the dock when connecting the Jsaux station to my TV stand.
Many of the docking stations I examined before choosing the 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station came with an integrated stand, which was perfect for my Steam Deck OLED, though this wasn’t ideal for my ROG Ally X. Ideally, I needed something compatible with both devices. Additionally, the included stand isn’t bulky; I can easily store it behind my ROG Ally X when not in use.
If you decide to take off the rubber grips, you can continue using the stand part. However, if your ROG Ally X model comes with the Kill Switch feature, then why bother since it includes an integrated kickstand anyway?
Many of the docking stations I examined do not come with an integrated cable for connecting the handheld device directly to the dock. Fortunately, this isn’t true for the Jsaux 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station. While the included cord is somewhat brief, having it permanently affixed to the station greatly simplifies plugging in the handheld gadget.
I wished the cable were a bit longer, particularly because I don't utilize the docking part of the handheld device. However, I'm pleased that it comes with a cable nonetheless.
The additional USB-A and USB-C ports provide a computer-like experience when connected via the dock.
This works well when I need to connect my mouse and keyboard to the ROG Ally X or Steam Deck.
I particularly enjoy how the ROG Ally X functions similarly to a regular Windows 11 computer when I connect a mouse and keyboard to it and attach it to a television or monitor. Fortunately, the Jsaux 6-in-1 docking station includes dual 5Gbps USB-A 3.2 connections along with one USB-C 3.2 interface, which provides plenty of room for plugging in the necessary USB adapters needed to seamlessly swap my Logitech peripherals across various gadgets.
Although I seldom utilize these ports, it’s reassuring knowing they’re available for when I connect my ROG Ally X to my monitor at work to enjoy strategy games such as Age of Empires IV. Similarly, they significantly ease the process of switching my Steam Deck OLED into desktop mode with my keyboard and mouse attached.