A Guide to Picking Your Perfect Docking Station

1.  Type Consideration  

• Expansion Dock

An Expansion Dock is the type of docking station engineered for boosting all-day productivity. It assists in the connection of multiple external hardwares such as high-performance external drives, GPU, or a liquid cooling radiator. The expansion dock provides an easy way to power the device it is connected to with any Micro USB cable. You can use them to control external circuits or connect expansion boards to extend the functionality of your device.

• Port Replicator/Hub

A port replicator is a device used to quickly connect multiple peripherals to a laptop, very similar to a hub. Port replicators/hubs are functionally and logically identical to a bundle of extension cables, except that they are plugged in and unplugged together through the device you are connecting the port replicator to. This type of docking station comes with a wired super-speed USB cable which directly connects with the laptop, providing high-speed power performance to connected devices.

In addition to supported devices, this docking device is compatible with peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, flash memory drives and more. Port replicators generally provide a universal solution for all laptops via USB.

• Breakout Dock/Multi-Port Adapter

A breakout dock, also known as a multi-port adapter, is designed in a breakout box shaped like a dock. It is an upgraded version to a standard port replicator in the sense that it provides extra ports, in addition to replicating those that are already on the computer. This allows the basic unit to have fewer physical ports while still allowing a user to access the full range of features provided by the motherboard of the computer.

• OEM/Proprietary Dock

The OEM dock is a type of docking station specifically made by the original equipment manufacturer, and for this reason has its limitations to work with only specific models and brands of notebooks. It produces multiple connections from one port, and instead of extracting them from internal chipsets, a proprietary dock creates them inside the dock using converters. This type of docking station is engineered to support the unique specification of the corresponding laptop brand, ensuring thorough compatibility and reliability.

• Universal or Third-Party Dock

As the name suggests, “Universal” docking station has no limitation in terms of performance, compatibility and reliability. It works with a wide range of third party devices that are not of the manufacturers' notebooks to be precise, and offer endless connectivity options for peripherals. With the universal docking station, you can switch from laptop to desktop only with a single cable. Universal docking stations are excellent options for those who use multiple devices from various brands.

2.  Feature Consideration  

• Compatibility

When considering a docking station, it's important to ensure compatibility with your existing device before making a purchase. You need to confirm the types of ports available on your computer and carefully read the description to ensure that the one you choose to buy is compatible with your device. And also that the ports work with your dockable devices without the need for an extra adapter. USB-C, Thunderbolt, and proprietary connectors are common options. Remember that the docking station becomes useless if it is not compatible with your computer. 

• Available Ports

The available number of ports on a docking station is one of the major features of any docking station. This is why it is important to not just look at the number of ports on a docking station but also check that the docking station you are getting has the necessary ports- in type and number- that you need. If, for example, you need to connect an external display but your laptop's ports do not support the monitor, you will need to look for a docking station that includes a port that supports it. There are docking stations on the market for USB C and Thunderbolt ports. You will even find options with the older USB Type-A standard if your laptop computer does not have one of the newer ports. 

• Portability

The physical attribute of a docking station is also important, so consideration should be given to the build quality and form factor as they add aesthetic value to your workspace. How portable do you want your docking station to be? There are two common form factors: stationary and portable. One important difference between the two is that stationary docking stations come with their power supply. Put simply, they do not rely on your laptop's power to connect to peripherals. The portable type does not have the power to charge your connected peripherals. Ideally, you should weigh the pros and cons of each based on how you work. You might consider getting a stationary docking station for your work-from-home setup if you need something for your desk or a portable one that you can use on the go. Portable docks tend to have fewer ports because they are smaller.

Power Output

Understanding this feature goes a long way as each docking station varies in power delivery options. Determine the required power delivery (watt and USB PD) of your device to guarantee efficient operation and charging. If your laptop supports fast charging, you should look for a docking station with the same or more power output so you can get the same fast charging speed as when you use a regular laptop adapter. Your laptop should have at least two USB-C ports: one for connecting the docking station and the other for charging.  

Note: A Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port (which usually supports up to 100 watts for PCs or 85 watts for MacBooks), a USB4, or a USB-C with Power Delivery must be available on your device for this feature.

Video Output

When getting a docking station, you need to consider your laptop's native display resolution and the refresh rate. It is better to buy a docking station that can output at the same RBG and quality.

3.  Budget Consideration

Picking your perfect docking station does not only sit with the types and features, as price is an important factor. 

In considering your budget, it is advisable to always establish priorities by determining which features are important for your workspace as this will help you allocate your budget effectively. Research and evaluate features against cost by comparing different docking stations against their respective cost, this will help justify the higher price tag and if they align with your specific needs.

The futureproof capability of a docking station should be considered as potential changes in workflow or devices can be made in the future, so your docking station should be able to accommodate such changes.

Conclusion

With this guide, picking your perfect docking station need not be a hassle. Here at Paykobo.com, the three broad considerations are given at glance on any docking station you would be considering here.  

Need further help? Contact us now, we are always ready to be of assistance.