The idea behind a docking station for your laptop is very simple. It is a fixed device for your desk that has more and / or all kinds of connections that your laptop or convertible does not have. You connect your laptop via one cable and thus gain access to more options. But what should you think about when buying such a dock?
You might already expect it: one dock is not the other. That is why it is useful to be well prepared and to know what requirements a docking station must meet. The requirements are completely dependent on the type of USB port on your laptop or convertible. But in general it is good to pay attention to the things below.
Docking Station Features
Sometimes it is not always the docking station. Your laptop or convertible (or hybrid tablet) largely determines the extent to which you are limited. If you have a laptop without a USB-c / Thunderbolt 3 port, you will quickly end up with the simple docking stations. Usb-c and Thunderbolt 3 are modern connection standards and process more data, making them more suitable for multifunctional docks, such as the one from Hama that we recently tested.
It would be nice if you only have one cable running between the docking station and your laptop. That cable not only provides the connection between the two devices, but must also supply power to the accessory. That saves you a plug to the socket or to a USB port on your laptop. Because many docking stations are now also used for connecting screens (unfortunately that is not possible with an old USB-a port), you also have to pay attention to video output. Many stations offer full HD, but there are also models that go up to 4K or 5K. The accessory must then have HDMI or DisplayPort ports, to which you connect the monitors.
In addition, it is useful to look at the audio output. For example, an audio jack can be a handy option, especially for laptops that do not have such a connection. This way you can easily connect a set of bookshelf speakers, for example. You are also not dependent on wireless speakers. Does the docking station have enough ports for all the devices you want to connect? Check carefully within the specs which ports are present. Finally, we want to emphasize the Ethernet port. A good docking station has such a port, so that your laptop is not always dependent on wireless internet. Amount internet is still more reliable.
Miscellaneous
There are also other things to keep in mind. For example, laptops and tablets from certain manufacturers may only work with docking stations that they have made themselves. This way you stay beautiful within a certain ecosystem. Fortunately, many laptop makers use a universal approach (even if they sometimes offer such products themselves), so that you decide which product you get. For example, if you are someone who buys products from Apple, you are now familiar with the limitations.
There is really a huge range of docking stations available. There are simple models that you simply place on your desk, but there are also variants that also function as a laptop holder. Think carefully about what you are looking for in advance, take into account the available USB ports on your laptop and don’t be tempted by things you don’t need. In the meantime, also think about your cable management and check that the docking station best hides the cables along a certain line. This also keeps your desk nice and tidy.
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