Sector Guide Logitech’s Logi Dock Review
Netgear brings Wifi 7 to its Orbi family
The Logitech Logi Dock arrives in sturdy, well-organised packaging. Aside from the Logi Dock itself, the box includes a relatively large transformer, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and both UK and European plugs. There are a lot of positives about this docking station, but they need to be framed against its limitations – namely backwards compatibility. To benefit from its full functionality, you need to have a machine with a USB-C port and a monitor with HDMI. Even with a USB-A/USB-C adapter elements such as monitor connectivity becomes unusable, which could present a problem to remote or hybrid workers who rely on work-supplied equipment which may or may not have the correct ports. However, here’s the good news – upon using a laptop with USB-C, mouse and keyboard both with wireless USBs, and an HDMI monitor, the Logi Dock comes into its own. My particular set up is a mix of brands and ages, none of which are Logitech or listed as supported by Logitech, yet they all worked seamlessly.
Pairing an android smartphone with the Logi Dock via Bluetooth is simple and using the Logi Dock as a speakerphone for phone calls showcased impressive volume and clarity, even at a distance. You have to download the LogiTune app which has a useful calendar function. It works perfectly with Google calendar for example, presenting meetings and offering the links for convenience. It only handles one calendar though, which isn’t practical for those who manage multiple calendars. I would wish for more USB-A ports. USB-C is certainly a huge step forward in technological terms to the extent that it’s pretty standard for modern equipment, but the reality for a lot of users is that unless they and/or their company are cash rich or early adopters, the majority of equipment and accessories in use still tend to be USB-A.
Of note, the Logi Dock can also be used with a PC, but it’s primarily designed as a laptop docking station as evidenced by the length of the USB-C cable which is perfect for a laptop but is far too short for a tower PC.
In conclusion, the Logitech Logi Dock is a promising unit with seamless accessory connectivity, convenient Bluetooth pairing and solid speakerphone capabilities. However, it falls short in terms of backwards compatibility. Despite this, the Logi Dock serves as an efficient option for those after a consolidated audio and connectivity solution.
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Netgear has enhanced its Orbi line with a new antenna design and WiFi 7. The Orbi 970 Series delivers speeds of up to 27 Gbps and high-performance antennas for 360-degree coverage across most homes, no matter the layout. With the rise of faster multi-gig internet speeds now available
to more households, the growing number of connected devices per family and the ever-increasing growth of bandwidth- intensive applications such as 4K/8K video streaming, HD Zoom calls, graphics-focused work, highly interactive real-time gaming and immersive AR/VR entertainment, the need for faster WiFi speeds, lower latency and more capacity becomes imperative. Enter WiFi 7. While WiFi 6E opened the 6GHz band as a superhighway for the latest, fastest devices, WiFi 7 builds on that promise by expanding the channels to 320 MHz and unleashing unprecedented speeds and performance. The Orbi 970 Series maximises the potential of the new standard with innovative, new technology that ensures the benefits are delivered throughout the home, from the front door to the backyard, across all devices simultaneously. Orbi’s Quad-Band technology and Enhanced Dedicated Backhaul ensure WiFi stays fast across all devices. Setting Orbi apart from competitors, Netgear configures multi-link operation (MLO), a feature of WiFi 7, to create Enhanced Dedicated Backhaul which combines a dedicated 5 GHz band with a 6 GHz band to double the connection speed between the router and satellites and achieve 10 Gig wireless backhaul for reduced latency, and data delivery with maximum speed. The system’s Smart Connect feature also intelligently selects the fastest WiFi band for each connected device. The router features a 10 Gig internet port as well as one 10 Gig and four 2.5 Gig Ethernet ports, to achieve the fastest speeds available today. The new cylindrical bodies of the routers and satellites are designed for optimal performance while gracing the home with their slim profile and smaller overall footprint to fit unobtrusively on a desk, entertainment unit or shelf. They feature 12 high-performance internal antennas with high-powered amplifiers for 360-degree, wall to wall, front to back coverage.
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