Docking Stations

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What is a docking station?

A docking station acts as a central interface between a laptop or tablet and all peripheral devices such as monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and other hardware. In the past, individual peripherals had to be connected directly to the laptop, but now they are connected to the docking station, which is linked to the laptop via a single USB-C cable. This allows for quickly and easily setting up a desktop environment for the connected device.

How does a docking station work?

A docking station connects to a laptop via a single USB-C cable. In addition to expanding the number of available ports, it also eliminates cable clutter on your desk when connecting peripheral devices.

Docking stations can be used for both stationary setups in an office or home office, as well as in mobile situations on the go. There are various options depending on the required interfaces. For office or home office use, having as many ports as possible is ideal so that all peripherals can be connected, with additional free ports available. For a mobile version, the focus is on portability, so the docking station should be as compact as possible and include only the most essential ports.

Common interfaces on a docking station include:

  • Video interfaces such as VGA, HDMI, or DisplayPort for connecting external monitors
  • Ethernet port for direct connection to a network via LAN cable
  • USB-A ports at different speeds: USB 2.0 for connecting a keyboard, mouse, or printer
  • USB 3.2 Type-A ports for connecting a webcam or flash drive
  • USB-C ports for connecting external hard drives
  • 3.5 mm jacks for microphones and headsets
  • SD/microSD card readers for reading memory cards
  • USB-C connection to a laptop or tablet with power delivery function to both transfer data and provide power

Multiport adapter, interface converter, docking station – what are the differences?

SuperSpeed USB-C Multiport Adapter Image 1

Multiport Adapter

This converts the signal to multiple interfaces via USB-C, including video and USB ports, often combined with a Power Delivery function to supply power to the connected device. In addition to connecting an external display, devices like a keyboard or mouse can also be connected through USB.

Interface Converter

Interface Converter

This converts the signal to the desired interface via USB-C. It can transmit video signals through VGA, HDMI, or DisplayPort, or convert to a serial signal. An interface converter is ideal for connecting a laptop or tablet to an external display using USB-C.

USB-C PD 10-in-1 Dual-HDMI Monitor Docking Station / Multiport Hub Image 3

Docking Station

This converts the signal to numerous interfaces via USB-C, allowing the connection of all peripheral devices to create a full desktop environment.

Which docking station is the right one for you?

The appropriate docking station should be selected based on the peripheral devices you need to connect and the required interfaces.

Consider how many external displays you'll use and at what resolution (1080p, 4K), as well as which other hardware components will be connected. It's important to check which operating system (Windows, macOS, Chrome OS) is in use and ensure the docking station is compatible. Determine how many USB-A and USB-C ports you need for additional peripherals. Answering these questions will guide you to the right model.

Dockingstations