Universal Docking Station

Coffee
1

Need recommendation from people who partially work from home.

I have following

  • Dell laptop
  • wireless (Logitech) keyboard + mouse which uses USB receiver
  • USB webcam

I am planning to buy a monitor to have larger display & I am considering to buy universal docking station

Question I have is - if I buy a universal docking station (like HP G5) , would I be able operate seamlessly using following setup -:

1, connect laptop with dock using USB-C which powers the laptop too as well as data integration
2. use the two USB ports on dock to plug in USB devices (webcam & keyboard+mouse)
3. Connect monitor to the dock using HDMI port

The concern I have is if Devices mentioned in #2 would actually work while plugged into the dock or they need to be plugged into the laptop. Using a Lenovo docking station (in office) that comes with laptop the whole thing works seamlessly. But I am not sure how things go with universal docks.

Side question -: do I need a docking station or I can operate all the devices mentioned above simply by connecting my laptop to the monitor (using HDMI) & using the laptop USB ports for other two devices

2

My experience is that it varies, some cheaper ones lose connection sometimes or have trouble with resolutions.
But the lenovo docking stations are quite universal, I bought such one and it also works fine with my wifeĹ› HP laptop, and my work Surface.
Best is to test but otherwise don´t go too cheap, that can save a lot of annoyance

3

Answer to side question is yes. Connect receivers to laptop USB ports and monitor to hdmi. But you have tu plug power cord too. 2 cables to connect instead of one usb C with docking station.

4

Thanks for the feedback

5

Thanks

Yeah I understand , in this setup following would be modus operandi

  • power the monitor & laptop
  • Connect monitor connection , & usb connections whenever it is used

I think this setup is less convenient but maybe I can just do this as step 1 and see how it goes. If I get annoyed I can buy a docking station

6

I guess you’re already planning on it, so just in case, I find it very convenient to use two monitors at the same time (in your case laptop and connected monitor).

7

What about a docking station and monitor in one?

https://www.digitec.ch/de/s1/product/samsung-viewfinity-s6-s60ud-2560-x-1440-pixel-32-monitor-43778802?supplier=406802

I connect my laptop through a single USB-C:

  • My laptops battery gets charged through that
  • I have an external monitor
  • The monitor has 3 USB ports where you can attach your devices that forward to the laptop.
  • It also has a lan port.
3 Likes
8

+1 for using the monitor as a docking station.

I hqve an older version of this monitor → https://www.digitec.ch/de/s1/product/dell-u3425we-3440-x-1440-pixel-3414-monitor-43336931?supplier=10391065

I connect and charge my work laptop through the USB-C port and have my personal desktop connected through Display Port. The USB Receiver for the keyboard and mouse is attached to the screen’s USB port. This way I can simple switch screen and the keyboard and mouse are always availabe to the respective computer.

1 Like
9

Interesting
I already bought the monitor now. My question was mainly about how to use it in best way. Didn’t know that such a thing existed „combo of monitor & hub“

Thanks for sharing though.
Kind of a miss from my side

10

This was kind of enough for me:
https://www.digitec.ch/en/s1/product/d-link-dub-m810-usb-c-1-ports-docking-stations-usb-hubs-13237956?supplier=406802

  • HDMI for the monitor
  • USB-C passthrough for charging the laptop
  • Sufficient USB (A) for peripherals
  • Even an Ethernet if WiFi not enough

You can probably find alternative connector sets (e.g. with a DP instead of HDMI, more USB Cs etc.)

Single cable into the laptop and that’s it.

2 Likes
11

Similar setup, add headset dongle (USB-C)

If you want to spend more:

Dell WD19

If you want to spend less:

Dell DA310

12

My 2 cents:

I love to have everything plugged into a USB hub and then use a single USB-C cable connect USB hub to laptop.

Newer HP docking stations (rounded square footprint, e. g this one) can be found used for 50-60 CHF. I personally use this slightly more expensive model that I can vouch for: i-tec USB 3.0 / USB-C Triple 4K Dock).

For those looking for Monitors with a built-in hub/KVM switch.

Regards,
Jochen

1 Like
13

my setup:

  • bought a monitor with integrated USB hub
  • connect to laptop via USB-C. make sure Monitor has the appropriate power-via-USB-C-rating
  • everything else (except for Headset bluetooth dongles) connected to the monitor
    • Keyboard
    • Mouse
    • Webcam

this setup allows me to seamlessly plug in private or work laptop with fiddling limited to one cable

my monitors (no affiliate links or so):

differences:

  • the newer Philips has higher USB-C power rating of 65W (reason for upgrade => no separate power adapter for my laptop reuqired)
  • the older HP was better (faster) in detecting and switching between inputs (USB-C vs. HDMI (raspberry))

I am happy with this setup :slight_smile:

2 Likes
14

Can I assume main difference between USB hub & Docking station is the power source?

For docking station, it has its one power source and it can charge laptop too

But for USB hub, the power comes from Laptop.

Right?

15

For example, in my case above, no.

the monitor powers everything, including the laptop (provided the laptop allows power over USB-C) as long as the power-ratings are copatible

1 Like
16

This is basically what I do. I have 2 USB docks, one at home and one at work.

Work dock:

  • HDMI monitor
  • mouse + keyboard

home dock:

  • DP monitor
  • mouse (wireless) + keyboard
  • Ethernet

The USB dock is powered so charges the laptop (no need for a power cable).

1 Like
17

As a rule of thumb, yes:

  • small hubs are usually not powered, larger one may be (only necessary if you have devices that need more power, i. e. not mouse, keyboard, USB stick)
  • Docking stations usually have their own power supply
  • Monitors with USB hub / KVM functionality provide power to, e. g. charge a laptop
1 Like
18

is it possible to have a monitor KVM Hub where you can attach a second monitor as well? I need to update but I also want two monitors.

19

Have a look on qoqa.ch!