Your designated workspace can greatly benefit from a laptop dock. Whether you have a lot or a little space a dock can provide easy connections to all your peripherals (monitors, microphone, chargers and more) with one simple connection.
What is a laptop dock?
A laptop dock is a device that connects to your laptop computer and expands its capabilities by providing additional ports and connectivity options. These may include Ethernet (direct connection vs WIFI), HDMI for monitors, USB, and audio ports, as well as a power supply to charge the laptop.
Some laptop docks may also include additional features such as a built-in speaker or a display. The primary purpose of a laptop dock is to make it easier and quicker to connect your laptop to external devices and peripherals, such as a monitor, microphone, camera, and chargers. This way, you can quickly transition your laptop into a desktop workstation setup.
Should You Use a Dock for Your Laptop?
It depends on your specific needs and usage. A laptop dock can be useful if you frequently connect your laptop to external displays, peripherals, or network connections. It can also help to save space and reduce clutter on your desk. However, if you primarily use your laptop as a portable device and do not need to frequently connect it to external devices, a dock may not be necessary.
Laptop Dock Considerations
The most important aspect of choosing a laptop doc is the type of connections you have. Some older laptops may only have USB connections while newer laptops have USB C connections or Thunderbolt.
Make sure the dock you plan to purchase can be connected to your laptop!
Suggested Laptop Docks
- Dell WD19: This dock is compatible with both Dell and non-Dell laptops and offers a wide range of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. It also has a built-in power supply and can charge your laptop while it’s connected.
Link: https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-docking-station-wd19s-180w/apd/210-azbm/pc-accessories - Anker 577 PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Dock: This dock is great for Macs with Thunderbolt 3 upstream and downstream support and plenty of connections for all you need.
Link: https://www.anker.com/products/a8396?variant=37438603034774 - Plugable UD-6950H: This dock is compatible with a wide range of laptops and offers a variety of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C. It also has a built-in power supply and can charge your laptop while it’s connected. It also has a built-in DisplayLink technology that supports dual-monitor functionality.
Link: https://plugable.com/products/ud-6950h/
All the above mentioned are top of the line docks which offer a lot of features and ports, but it’s important to check the compatibility of the dock with your specific laptop model before making a purchase.
Conclusion
If you like to use an external monitor, microphone, charging and more while working from home, a laptop dock is a great choice!
More articles on docks:
PC – https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-docking-stations-for-windows-laptops