USB Docks

USB Dock - Connect all kinds of devices to the same PC

Docking stations used to be accessories that were attached to a laptop, which not only expanded the ports but also added extra weight to smaller computers.

Some docks added CD-ROMs and other mechanical functions.

While some more traditional docks can still be found on the market today, most laptops neither need them nor are designed to use them.

Modern docks are typically USB devices that add ports to laptops and desktop computers.

3 things you should know when looking at USB Docks

When looking at USB Docks, it is very simple what you should look for.

The dock should support your needs for power and workflow, and you shouldn't have to constantly search for dongles or remove one device to connect another.

At the same time, you shouldn't regret empty slots because you've bought too much dock.

Apple owners may also often need to consider specialized docks designed for their devices, such as docks that fit flush against an iPad or match the footprint of a Mac Mini.

You should often only buy one of these custom-built docks if it also contains the features you need for your work or hobby.

#1 - Types and number of ports in USB docks

Docks used to offer a wide range of ports, including parallel ports for printers, DisplayPorts of various types from full size to mini, VGA ports for older screens, audio in and out ports.

You could also sometimes be lucky if the USB Dock also had ports for Firewire, a serial port, Ethernet for wired connection, and of course a few USB ports for connecting external devices; maybe even PS/2 ports for keyboards and mice.

Docks usually also include a power interface.

Recently, HDMI has been added to the list, and as computers became smaller and thinner, card slots have also appeared, making SD card adapters a popular feature on modern docks.

Often, it is recommended that you start with a list of the ports you need, and then what you would like them to have.

The most popular ports are:

• USB-C power supply
• USB-C
• USB-A (single or in multiples)
• Thunderbolt 4
• SD card
• MicroSD card
• Audio out
• Audio in
• Audio out/in
• Ethernet
• HDMI (single)
• HDMI (dual)
• DisplayPort

It can often also be extremely important that you know which ports your device includes.

If it has one USB-C port, is it then a Thunderbolt port? Look for the lightning bolt and 4, although not all devices are clearly marked.

Does that port also support DisplayPort over USB-C? Remember that not all ports on a computer are the same; some models come with one Thunderbolt port and several USB-C ports, and some with all Thunderbolt ports.

In most cases, you must run your dock from a configuration that assumes you will connect it to the most suitable port on your device.

#2 - USB-C Docks for all your needs

USB-C has quickly become the new standard in USB connectors.

This new USB form has 24 pins and can, like its previous variants, transfer data and power between two different devices.

The connector is typically horizontal and the USB-C cable is symmetrical, so you cannot insert the connector incorrectly; modern computers are also gradually starting to replace their outputs and charging ports with USB-C.

Since USB-C will be the only input, it means you also won't struggle to plug USB-C into the wrong port; therefore, in addition to being incredibly user-friendly, the USB-C standard has a theoretical speed limit of 1,250 MB/s, which is extremely fast compared to the earlier variants we have been used to.

USB-C Dock HDMI

HDMI continues to be an incredibly popular connector type, and therefore you can also find USB-C docks compatible with this type of connector.

HDMI is typically used to connect computers, game consoles, DVD and VHS players, and similar devices to screens and monitors.

HDMI can provide you with an incredibly good and sharp image, and is therefore often preferred for many different types of screens where quality needs to be top-notch.

USB-C Dock Displayport/Mini Displayport

When it comes to computer monitors, Displayport has become a very popular connector type for those who spend a lot of time in front of a computer, whether it's graphic designers or professional and recreational gamers.

Displayport is indeed an upgrade of the HDMI connector, when it comes to computer monitors, and many monitor manufacturers have begun to include Displayport cables as standard for their monitors.

With a USB-C Dock, you can therefore easily connect a Displayport device to your USB-C device, allowing you to enjoy an image of higher and clearer quality.

USB-C Dock VGA

For older monitors, VGA is typically still used, and you can often recognize the connector by its distinctive blue color.

VGA was also one of the first more common and recognizable cable types used for monitors, and you can still use them for many computer screens.

USB-C Docks are therefore available with access to this cable type, so you're covered if you need to connect a VGA monitor to your USB-C device.

USB-C Dock for MacBook Pro

In many of the newer MacBooks and laptops, you will increasingly encounter USB-C ports, also known as USB 3.1 Superspeed+.

The USB standard has not changed much since the 90s until recently, but with USB-C, there have been massive advancements.

USB-C is backwards compatible with almost all previous standards, but it often requires an adapter, which is often not difficult to find.

USB-C is also compatible with a long range of other standards beyond just USB, such as Displayport, HDMI, and VGA.

The USB-C connector is typically also smaller than traditional USB connectors, which is often necessary, as many portable devices are becoming smaller and smaller.

With a USB-C Dock, you can therefore connect many different types of connectors to each other.

#3 - The difference between USB Docks and USB Hubs

It can be difficult for many to tell the difference between USB Docks and USB Hubs, and often for good reason.

Although they sound very similar, and, for many, can remind very much of each other, there is indeed a big difference between these two types of devices.

USB Hubs are used as a type of power strip for USB devices, where you can connect them to a USB connector, and then have space for multiple USB devices in the same connector.

USB Docks, on the other hand, function more as a piece of extra hardware that you can connect to your computer, thus giving it access to various other technologies.

For example, you can connect a USB Dock to a USB-C device, thereby allowing it to connect to HDMI, Displayport, and other types of connectors other than the one it was originally designed for.

In other words, a USB Dock is a form of add-on to your computer, which gives it the ability to connect to devices that were previously impossible with its standard hardware.