RuntoGOL USB C to HDMI Adapter

Hardware Type: Dock

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Review:

(Note: This product was received at no cost for review via the Amazon Vine program.)

When it comes to any third-party Nintendo Switch docks, the main question to get out of the way is simple: “Does it work?”. Yes, the RuntoGOL Adapter works. And no, it didn’t “brick my Switch” as many early Nintendo Switch docks have been accused of doing, though of course I cannot vouch for its use in the long-term. However, there are a few more points of interest I should address in this review.

Before continuing, I should note that this Switch dock has a lot of similarities to the Dnkeaur Switch Dock. In fact, pretty much everything I have to say about that device applies here. The only real difference is a slight difference in the price and form factor. Due to these strong similarities, I will be copying my review of the Dnkeaur Switch Dock and changing the pertinent details.

The the RuntoGOL Adapter, released in 2024, is small enough to compete with the likes of the Genki Covert Dock and Genki Covert Dock Mini for the title of smallest Nintendo Switch Dock ever, though this comes with a caveat I’ll address in a bit. Size may not matter to Nintendo Switch players who primarily play on one screen or who primarily play in handheld mode, but for those who want to connect to multiple screens, or those who travel with their Switch and want to easily hook it up to their hotel room TV while traveling light, this can be a huge factor.

Another important factor is price – At $17, the RuntoGOL USB C to HDMI Adapter is one of the most inexpensive Switch docks I’ve ever encountered, second only to the Gmeaou Switch Dock and Dnkeaur Switch Dock which both beat it by a few bucks. However, it’s far more affordable than Nintendo’s own $70 dock, and even the two Genki docks I mentioned earlier. Although, again, this comes with a huge caveat.

The caveat I mentioned in both above paragraphs is that this dock does not come with, but requires, a Nintendo Switch AC adapter. This will cost you an extra $10-$15 if you go with a third-party adapter, or up to $32 to get Nintendo’s own power adapter. (The Amazon page makes sure to remind buyers that as with all Nintendo Switch docks, this will not work at all with the Nintendo Switch Lite).

Now, players can simply use the AC adapter that came with their own Nintendo Switch’s dock, and even if they have to buy a new one this is still a pretty small and inexpensive dock, but perhaps not quite as much as the $15.50 price tag and tiny profile of a single cord makes it seem.

Furthermore, this dock also requires the use of an HDMI cable, not included. While HDMI cables are extremely common and easy to come by, this nevertheless once more undermines this unit’s otherwise impressive affordability and small size.

The device’s built-in cord goes directly to the Nintendo Switch, and the other side features plugs for the USB-C power cord, the HDMI cable, and one plug to plug in a controller or another device. This means that everything is connecting a mere few inches away from your Nintendo Switch. which is slightly different from the Genki Covert Dock and Covert Dock mini, which both have you connect your Switch to the dock at the power outlet, and the Gmeaou Switch dock, which connects at the TV’s HDMI port. I don’t think any of these ways is necessarily better or worse, it’s just a matter of preference.

There is also another feature of the RuntoGOL Adapter, and this is the ability to attach other devices to the dock other than a Nintendo Switch. The other devices advertised as compatible include “all USB C devices with video output function”, with listed examples including MacBook Pro (2022/2021/2020/M1/M2, etc.), Microsoft Surface Book 2, Surface Go, ChromeBook Pixel, Lenovo Yoga 910, Yoga 720, Yoga 900 13″, HP Spectre X360, Dell Latitude 7373/5570/5490/5400 (2019), XPS 15, Samsung Galaxy S22, S21, S20, S20FE, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra.

I didn’t initially think I had any of these other devices, but as it turned out I do – my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has the “DP” function, because it works with the RuntoGOL Adapter, allowing the use of the TV as an alternate screen that can be navigated by having the user move a cursor using the phone’s touchscreen. I should note that some other Switch docks like the Genki Covert Dock Mini can also do this, but it’s nice to have this option in a cord that costs under $16.

Having said that, the way the dock’s junction box hangs a few inches from the plug that will go into your device means this will be highly inconvenient if you want to use this with your smartphone, as trying to use the device to navigate while everything dangles down from it is… well, cumbersome, to say the least.

Overall, I think the RuntoGOL Adapter is a great deal, albeit not as good a deal as it may seem, and it is indeed a very small and portable Switch dock, though not as small and portable as it may seem, and it even has some nice extra features, though perhaps not all the features you may want. Still, as long as you’re aware of its limitations and have an extra AC adapter and HDMI cable handy, I think the RuntoGOL Adapter is worth a purchase.

tl;dr – The RuntoGOL Adapter is a small, portable, and highly inexpensive alternative to Nintendo’s own Switch Dock, though it’s deceptively not as small or as inexpensive as it seems, due to its need to use an AC adapter that is not included with the dock, and an HDMI cable that is not included either. If you can find a workaround, this makes a good alternative to Nintendo’s own dock for those looking to save space and money.

Grade: B+

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