How to Choose the Right USB C Docking Station

What is a USB C docking station? 

Generally, a hub or dock is a hardware component that connects multiple devices to a laptop. A USB C hub is a versatile adapter specially designed for home and office. It helps save space and keeps your desk organized. A lot of PC owners may require a USB C hub or dock to add more ports available for connecting multiple peripherals at the same time.
A USB C hub can offer you a variety of ports such as HDMI, DP, USB A, USB C, and other features, allowing you to utilize SD, micro-SD, and AUX jacks for high-quality audio and video. With a docking station, your laptop can simultaneously connect a monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, storage, backup drives, and even a local area network (LAN). Individuals can use them for media displays, laptop charging, and many other purposes. 

 

Types of USB C Docking Stations 

When it comes to USB C docking stations, there are both portable and stationary options.
Stationary docks are suitable for home or office, while portable docks are great for travel.  The advantage of stationary docking stations is that they can charge your laptop at high speeds. A conventional docking station comes with a separate power supply, which means it can run connected devices and charge your laptop. Portable docks usually have fewer ports due to their smaller size compared to stationary docking stations. The most difference is that they lack their own power source, so they need power from your laptop to run external devices.

Thunderbolt & USB C 

Thunderbolt is a hardware interface technology that enables the connection of different devices to a PC. Thunderbolt 3 features a USB C connector and supports a maximum transfer speed of 40GB/s, as well as up to 15W of power for running peripherals. It can support a single 4K display and is compatible with the USB4 standard. Thunderbolt 4 is the latest version that boasts the same maximum transfer speed as Thunderbolt 3. It utilizes a USB C connector and delivers up to 15W of power for other accessories. However, Thunderbolt 4 surpasses Thunderbolt 3 by supporting dual 4K displays. Additionally, Thunderbolt 4 doubles the PCIe SSD bandwidth speed to 32 GB/s. 
 
The latest cable standard is USB C, which is apparently smaller than USB A. USB C has the capability to both receive and deliver more power than its predecessors. In addition to data transfer, USB C can power various devices, output display to a monitor, and perform other functions. Unlike USB A, cables with USB C connectors at both ends make full use of the power. 

 

Docking stations connect USB Type C and Thunderbolt to your computer. Thunderbolt has several advantages over USB C, including the following. Thunderbolt has a higher minimum data rate than USB C. Both Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 support a data rate of 40Gbps, whereas USB 3.1 has a minimum data transfer rate of 10Gbps, and USB4 has a minimum data transfer rate of 20Gbps. Thunderbolt's higher data rate is significant when connecting multiple high-speed storage devices. USB4 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and newer version as well as Thunderbolt 3. Thunderbolt 4 is the most reliable option, but USB4 may be limited to 20Gbps instead of the 40Gbps offered by Thunderbolt 3 and 4. Not all laptops support Thunderbolt. Check your laptop's user manual before purchasing. Therefore, if you require a lot of bandwidth for high-speed storage drives and external monitors, the hub with a Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 is the best choice. 

 

How to pick the right USB C docking station? 

 It’s recommended to find a USB C docking station that offers more USB ports, including a combination of USB A and USB C. Here’s what you should know to help you find the perfect one for your specific needs. 
The best docking stations typically have USB A ports with high-speed USB 3.0, USB C ports, HDMI ports, and DP ports for external displays. Some models offer Ethernet connectivity and the ability to charge other devices like smartphones. Additionally, certain docking stations have ports designed for headphone and microphone jacks. So please consider your own needs and select a suitable docking. 
Check the power delivery wattage first before you purchase. USB C devices generally support USB power delivery. However, the USB power delivery standard covers a wide range of wattage, from just a few watts to 100W or more. It is essential to ensure that the USB C monitor you buy can supply enough power for the devices. 
When connecting desktop monitors, it is crucial to confirm the video outputs on a docking station support both the maximum resolution of your monitors and the exact number of extended displays. There are various video ports used to connect external displays, including HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, USB C, Thunderbolt, and so on. The native display resolution and refresh rate of your laptop are important for selecting a video port. It's best to buy a docking station that can output a similar resolution and refresh rate. For example, if your laptop has a 4K display with a 60Hz refresh rate, you should choose a docking station with a video output port that supports similar specifications. Aside from video outputs, it is also suggested to consider the audio outputs of a docking station. If audio quality is quite important for you, it is better to select a docking station that supports dedicated external speakers with a 3.5 jack for connecting a microphone. 
When selecting a docking station, you need to consider how simple it is to install and operate to avoid potential difficulties. It becomes even more critical for companies that plan to buy a large quantity of docking stations for outfitting an entire office. Fortunately, a large number of modern USB C docking stations do not require drivers, allowing them to be functional immediately upon connection to your computer. Moreover, most universal docking stations can be used with a wide range of systems. 

Docking stations can significantly enhance users' productivity. They provide new features and capabilities, simplify tasks, and transform a personal laptop into a desktop computer. With a wide variety of docking station models available from different manufacturers, it is highly recommended that you carefully consider all the factors mentioned below before making a purchase. Ultimately, if you want to upgrade your workstation, you should choose a docking station that can fulfill all of your requirements. Additionally, if you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us, and one of our team members will be delighted to assist you.