Dell docking station for laptop will transform your laptop into a portable powerhouse. If you’re always on the go or always leave it at home, you’ll want to get the most out of your laptop when it’s sitting on your desk, especially if you don’t have enough ports. When you use a dell docking station, you can connect your computer to a lot of different displays and other things through extra USB ports. It all depends on your needs.
You can choose between a low-cost dell docking station that outputs two HD displays through a regular USB connection or more expensive dell docking stations that can connect to USB Type-C ports so you can use them with both your current and future laptops.
What is dell docking station used for?
A docking station or port replicator allows you to connect your laptop to a variety of devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, speakers, display, and Ethernet. Using a docking station that is linked to many devices allows you to get the benefits of a desktop computer while maintaining the portability of a laptop. With a single connection, the Dell Docking Station (USB 3.0) connects your laptop to up to three extra displays, numerous external devices, and the Internet.
It’s a simple method to enhance the capabilities of your portable PC and personalize your desktop computing experience. With high-speed networking and compatibility for Ultra HD 4K monitors, this elegant, compact dock offers greater productivity and entertainment choices. This USB 3.0 universal docking station, designed for Ultra HD 4K resolution, allows compatible PCs to show 4K resolution when connected.
Benefits of Using the Dell Docking Station 2023
A Dell docking station is a helpful attachment that provides several benefits to your computer experience. A docking station may dramatically increase your productivity and convenience, whether you work from home, in an office, or on the road. Using a Dell docking station has the following primary benefits:
1. Simplified connection: Simplified connection is one of the primary benefits of a Dell docking station. Multiple peripherals, such as monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and more, can be connected with a single connection. This saves you from having to plug and unplug separate gadgets every time you go between your laptop and desktop configuration.
2. Increased Screen Real Estate: Another big advantage of having a Dell docking station is the possibility of increasing the size of your screen. With multiple monitor support, you may enjoy a bigger workspace and increased multitasking skills. A docking station helps you to enhance your productivity, whether you need to compare spreadsheets side by side or optimize your workflow by having various programs open on separate screens.
3. Improved Performance: A Dell docking station can help your laptop work better. You may take advantage of enhanced graphics capabilities, USB 3.0 ports for quick data transmission, and Ethernet connections for a robust and dependable internet connection by connecting to a docking station. This is especially useful for jobs requiring high-speed data transfer or complex graphics processing, such as video editing or gaming.
4. Seamless Workstation Configuration: You may establish a seamless workstation configuration by using a docking station. Ergonomic attachments like an external keyboard and mouse, adjustable display stands, and docking stations with integrated charging capabilities can be used to personalize your workstation. This not only improves your comfort but also allows you to keep your desk clutter-free.
5. Flexibility and mobility: A Dell docking station provides mobility and flexibility. You can effortlessly switch between working in the office and working remotely using a docking station. Simply connect your laptop to your workplace’s docking station and then unplug it to carry your laptop with you when you need to work from home or on the move. This guarantees that your computing experience remains constant, regardless of where you are.
6. Device Management and Security: With a Dell docking station, you may take advantage of features such as device management and security. To avoid theft of your laptop or docking station, some docking stations have features such as cable locks and security slots. Furthermore, by connecting all peripherals and accessories to the docking station, you can centralize device administration, making it easy to update drivers and control firmware.
When I close the laptop lid, why does the display become blank?
This is frequently caused by the power settings. To prevent the display from turning off after shutting the laptop lid, change the power settings as shown below.
- Select Settings from the Start menu.
- Choose System.
- Select Power and Sleep from the left pane.
- Select Additional Power Settings in the right pane.
- Select Choose what shutting the lid accomplishes in the Power Options box.
- Change the When I close the lid settings to Do Nothing under both On battery and Plugged in.
- Save changes by clicking the Save button.
Top 12 Dell Docking Station in 2023
Dell docking stations can make it easier and more comfortable to use your laptop if you choose the best one for you. They can quickly make your laptop more powerful by adding more ports and letting you connect external monitors while it is being charged. Dell Docking stations are especially beneficial for remote employees (opens in a new tab) and anyone who is increasingly working from home. These useful Dell Docking stations, like USB-C docks (open in a new tab), may transform your laptop into a full-featured desktop replacement.
1. Plugable USB-C Triple Display Dock
It’s a little like living in the future when you use the Plugable USB-C Triple Display Dock (UD-ULTCD). Among other things, it can charge and connect to a 4K TV, as well as a USB Type-C port for charging and connecting to a TV. The Triple Display Dock is our top pick because of its performance and support for three displays at once. It’s positioned vertically, so you can’t store it under your laptop or monitors, but its performance and support for three screens at once make it our top option.
2. Anker Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station
Is Anker’s Apex Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station a step too far ahead of its time? If you want to improve your current work set up and prepare for the next generation of laptops, this is a good thing. It’s also a versatile hub that can help you do both. The 12-in-1 hub’s Thunderbolt 4 connections are easy and fast, and the other ports let you charge and connect a variety of PC peripherals and displays.
Anker’s dock is let down by a $300 price tag for a product that can’t be used to its full potential without a Thunderbolt 4-compatible laptop. However, if you give this suitcase impostor enough time, it will shine. To learn more about a Thunderbolt 4 docking station that costs less but doesn’t give up more ports, check out our review of the Anker PowerExpand 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Mini Dock.
3. Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Dock
The Kensington SD5700T Thunderbolt 4 Dock is designed to work with ultrabooks such as the Dell XPS 13 9310. It not only greatly increases the number of ports and slots on one of the best laptops on the market, but it also provides the 90W power and other features that the notebook demands. While certain displays and peripherals may currently lack Thunderbolt 4, 3, or USB-C compatibility, many gadgets will soon make Thunderbolt 4 connectivity the standard. Thunderbolt 4 is here to stay, and the SD5700T is a terrific portable partner that will keep your system up to date for years to come.
4. Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station
We weren’t surprised that Plugable’s Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station is great, because the company has made great products before. With fair pricing, the ability to be used both vertically and horizontally, and a DisplayPort to HDMI converter included in the package, it’s the best we’ve tried so far. It can charge a laptop while also powering two 4K screens or a single 5K screen, and it has a few more USB 3.0 ports for older devices.
5. Kensington SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K Docking Station
Kensington SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K SD4
Apart from new ultra-slim systems, Kensington’s SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K Docking Station will come in useful for laptops with USB-A ports. It offers a good number of USB-A connections for plugging in any peripherals, and its twin 4K monitor compatibility works flawlessly. While the non-removable stand is inconvenient, it secures itself to any desk, and the 3m USB-B to USB-A host meant I could hide it. The SD4100v USB 3.0 Dual 4K Docking Station is ideal if you just need a lot of USB-A connections and several extra screens for your laptop.
6. Kensington SD1650P USB-C 4K Portable Docking Station
The Kensington SD1650P USB-C Single 4K Portable Docking Station is the “something extra” that multi-device users should consider. The hybrid dock can not only charge your Windows laptop with 100W of pass-through power while adding many ports, but it can also charge a MacBook, iPad, or even an Android tablet. Kensington’s dock will most likely operate flawlessly if it supports USB-C connectivity. In terms of adaptability, the SD1650P Portable Docking Station is the best on the market. Because it doesn’t need a power adapter to work, it’s great for business travelers who don’t want to bring a power adapter with them.
This hybrid portable dock is one of the best USB-C hubs on the market, especially for people who own a MacBook. It can give you more ports, video output options, and a power source with just one USB-C connection. It’s a shame that the SD1650P Portable Docking Station doesn’t live up to expectations because of its high price and limited port selection, especially when other hubs are much cheaper. The dock is worth the money if you need a device that can be used for many different things, especially with its 100W pass-through power, which even more expensive docking stations can’t match.
7. Targus USB-C Universal Quad 4K Docking Station
When you buy the Targus USB-C Universal Quad 4K Docking Station, which is also called the Four Head 4K Dock, you get eight ports in addition to the usual two or three video inputs. This means that you can turn your laptop into a multi-screen system. Because it has four HDMI 2.0 ports and four DisplayPort 1.2 ports, the docking station can connect to a single 5K monitor and four 4K monitors, as well as your laptop screen. Targus’ screen hoarder also has a combination of both USB-A 3.2 and USB-C 3.2 ports for connecting all of the accessories a laptop user could want as well as charging additional devices like a smartphone or tablet.
For good measure, there’s a 3.5mm audio jack and an Ethernet port. It doesn’t have the most recent connection, Thunderbolt 4, or a good price. Targus’ docking station, on the other hand, gives tracts of visual land if you’re looking for maximal screen real estate.
8. Plugable 7-in-1 USB Charging Hub
The Plugable 7-in-1 USB Charging Hub (USBC-HUB7BC) doubles as a docking station, freeing up ports on your laptop while also adding extra PC devices like keyboards and mice. It may also be used as a stand-alone charging station for devices like your smartphone. It stands out because each of its seven ports has dual functionality, which is a desirable feature that most USB-C hubs and docking stations lack. It’s great for people who need a lot of USB-A ports to charge a lot of things at the same time and move files between different devices. The Plugable 7-in-1 USB Charging Hub is a great choice.
9. Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station
Targus’ USB-C Dual 4K Docking Station isn’t really a “docking station” because it doesn’t have nearly enough ports to handle such powerful accessories. But I can see why Targus referred to it as such. It comes with 100W of power delivery and two HDMI 2.0 inputs that support 4K at 60Hz, which is something that not many USB-C hubs can achieve.
Owners of the MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13 are due for a port awakening, but any laptop user will appreciate how simple but useful Targus’ dock can be in most situations. The USB-C Dual 4K Docking Station is actually a hybrid USB-C hub. Although it could have used an extra USB-A port (as well as improved port management), it’s still a very useful device that any laptop or tablet user would appreciate.
10. Kensington StudioDock iPad docking station
The Kensington StudioDock iPad docking station is number ten on the list. StudioDock is a one-of-a-kind docking station. For those who don’t own an iPad Pro or a 4th-generation iPad Air, it’s technically a pricey dock. If you do, this becomes the best docking station for an Apple ecosystem/desktop configuration when paired with an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch. For good measure, it features the Apple look.
A Qi wireless charging station means that it has enough connectors to make an iPad-friendly office. Because the StudioDock has USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as an SD card reader, it could easily be used as a replacement for a desktop computer. For those ready to spend a lot of money on a hub for their Apple environment, the StudioDock is a terrific complement to the iPad.
11. Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock
None of them has ever looked as nice or housed as much gear as the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock. Its high-end appearance is ideal for the workplace, but it’ll also look great at a gaming station. It also has a slew of connectors ready to connect to several displays, a pair of headsets, and a laptop. The TBT100, however, has a high starting price of $259, which may put off many home office workers and gamers. However, if you can get past the price, the Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt 3 Dock is a must-have piece of technology.
12. Humanscale M/Connect 2
The Humanscale M/Connect 2 is more likely to be found in an office than in a home, but the two are becoming increasingly synonymous these days. Full-featured: It has USB Type-C charging, as well as a USB Type-A adapter for people who aren’t ready for the new standard yet. It can also work with two 4K monitors. Because of its clamp design, the bulk of your cords may be kept under your desk, providing for a more organized workstation. It costs roughly $300, but you’ll have to pay a little extra for a monitor arm to go with it.