That’s in addition to the built-in display on your laptop. One of the great things about docking stations is that they allow you to connect one or more external displays. You may also find SD card readers on some docks, which is a priced feature these days, given that many slim laptops have also dropped SD card readers from their built-in ports. Most docking stations also have a 3.5mm speaker jack, although the audio is output over the HDMI or DisplayPort ports. USB type-A is guaranteed, but you may even get extra USB-C ports. USB ports are universally present on docking stations, but the exact number and type vary. Kensington USB 3.0 Dual Display Docking Station It’s common to find an Ethernet port on docking stations, and if you’re leaving the station on your desk rather than taking it with you, it makes sense to leave it hooked up to a fast wired connection. Many modern laptops, especially ultrabooks, don’t have Ethernet ports since the port would be too thick for the laptop. Some docks may still have legacy connectors for VGA and DVI monitors, especially in large businesses where older displays are still in circulation. In general, you’ll find display connectors such as HDMI or DisplayPort. If you’re using a USB dock, you’re still limited to the USB performance, even if it’s plugged into a Thunderbolt dock! Typical Ports on Docking Stationsĭocking stations offer a variety of ports, some of which are already on your laptop and some of which are an expansion of what you have on the base system. Most devices support both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.0, but if you use a Thunderbolt 3 device, you need a Thunderbolt 3 port and cable. The same is not true when you want to use a Thunderbolt-only device with a USB port. So any USB-C device that uses USB will work when you plug it into a Thunderbolt 3 port. Thunderbolt 3 is backward compatible with USB 3. You can check out our in-depth guides for more details on the fine details, but here’s the short and sweet version. Another dock we’ve worked with has an unreliable HDMI video output, so there is a market left for rock-solid proprietary solutions. For example, we have a dock that refuses to fully work with an M1 MacBook Air, every port except for the speaker output works. Although some features may still depend on drivers in your operating system, which are usually only guaranteed for Microsoft Windows.ĭespite new connection standards, this is not always the case for third-party docks. In other words, they’d work perfectly since they are designed as an extension of the laptop by the manufacturer. The main advantage of these docs is that they offer high-performance expansion and enjoy hardware-level support. This is a dock that connects to the laptop using a proprietary connector. While it’s rare these days, some laptops still offer the option of a proprietary dock. This is only relevant to the new generation of ultra-thin ultrabooks that lack the correct ports. This allows you to connect your laptop to peripherals wherever you go, adding a new type of portability to docking stations. However, USB-C docks are so compact that you can fit them in the little pouch you get on most laptop sleeves. If you have a permanent desk setup, you’d leave your dock behind, plug in all your peripherals, and connect your laptop to it when you sit down. The primary purpose of a docking station is to let you attach a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers to your laptop quickly and conveniently. If none of these docking stations catch your eye, be sure to have a look at our picks for best laptop docking station.There’s also a device known as a “multiport adapter.” Still, these are generally much less feature-packed than docking stations, with perhaps two or three essential ports but not enough to connect a complete set of peripherals. And if you have a new Surface device with Thunderbolt 4, the Kensington SD5750T is certified to work optimally. You get dual FHD display support and a whole lot of other ports, and it's cheaper than the Thunderbolt alternatives. If you're working with a laptop without Thunderbolt, CalDigit's USB-C Pro Dock is another great option. It will run dual 4K displays each at 60Hz, or one 8K display at 60Hz, and it can deliver up to 98W of power to the connected laptop. It's our pick for best Thunderbolt 4 docking station thanks to its generous port selection and host charging capabilities. If you have a laptop with Thunderbolt 4, we recommend the CalDigit TS4. $250 at CalDigit (opens in new tab) The right laptop dock for a dual-monitor setupīuying the best laptop docking station for dual monitors should ultimately come down to what type of laptop you're using and how many other ports you'd like on top of video support.
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