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CTEC20
It's not a bad price for a universal docking station.
Main features:
1. support 1 4k monitor or 2 2k monitors
2. 2 USB 3.0 ports (always on) at the front and 4 USB 3.0 on the back
3. Ethernet port and audio ports
Toshiba DynaDock 4K Universal Docking Station USB3 HDMI Port Replicator $180 @ Futu Online eBay
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I'd appreciate the heads-up on that too, I don't necessarily need 4k for my purposes either, just a good reliable universal USB3.0 dock!
Thanks in advance. :)
Most branded universal docking stations support dual display are $150+, unless you decide to build your own using USB hub and USB to HDMI adaptors, or buy used.
That doesn't answer the actual question though…
I use this with my Surface 3, works perfectly. Have a twin monitor setup plus the surface's screen, keyboard, mouse, ethernet. No flaws what-so-ever. When I was searching for docks, this had pretty much everything I needed (ethernet connection, multiple monitor support, USB3 etc).
Thanks for the feedback, there is a paucity of clear cut reviews/comparisons out there to help with the decision making process between the different brands, so your anecdote is most welcome.
ATM, I'm kind of leaning towards the Asus HZ-3 @ ~$120 (and I really like the form factor) after doing a bit of research for myself.
Thanks for your feedback. I am looking to buy it as a gift and I wasn't sure if it'd be worth it.
I have a dynadock u3.0 and I really like it.
If you're not a gamer then these are fine. I drive 2 1080p monitors just fine. There are only drivers for Windows and OSX, I dont know if there are some open source implementation for Linux for these things - haven't checked.On my desk I only have two cables now - 1 power and 1 usb3 cable going to the dock. I use different brands of PCs at my desk so buying a port replicator from the laptop manufacturer was not an option.
Work supplied one last September, at first it's stable now it requires to be power cycled 3-4 times a week otherwise the monitors won't display anything. Others have already replaced theirs and the more power cycle it needs a week, the closer it's reaching its demise. I'd be questioning their longevity especially if it's going to be used >260 days a year for 8-10 hours at a time.
That's a driver issue. Would suggest you grab the latest ones and reinstall it. I've updated mine and got better with each version (there's been at least 2 updates in the past 2 years).
Tried that, didn't resolve it. It's something physical that's dying in them.
@mini2: Dunno.. I think I've only ever had to unplug the power maybe 4 times in the past 2 years? There's been maybe once or twice that the drivers played up and had to update it to the latest version and was working fine since then. Since then, I've upgraded from Win 8.1 to 10 and drivers were automatically updated as part of the upgrade process.
I've got the previous model too. It isn't perfect, but it's probably the best out there. One problem with it is that USB 2.0 keeps outputting power even after the laptop is disconnected. I spoke with Toshiba and they claim it's designed like that, which sounds highly unlikely. The other thing is that my laptop screen is slow to come on after sleep. But apart from those two things, it works great on Windows 8.1.
Isn't it an selling point, the 2 USB ports at the front also working as chargers even your computer is shut down?
No, it's not a selling point if it already has enough charging USB's, which it does. I wanted to have an audio interface with microphone and guitar plugged into it. Don't want them to always stay on. Same with USB mouse lights to be on all night. Etc. Needs to have some USB's with charging and some without. Of course, you can unplug those things before bed, but the whole point is to reduce all the plugging and unplugging.
My work setup has a Toshi 15.6" Satellite P50T-B with 4K screen, hooked up via HDMI to a Sammy 28" 4K monitor and a Dynadock U3.0 with two more Sammy 22" 1080p's on it via HDMI and DVI for total of 4 screens. This setup is great for office work since I have at least half a dozen opened documents / browsers at the same time when I am doing research and a couple of sessions to my VM's running on the laptop.
Warning: Doesn't specify HDCP 2.0 or 2.2
Pretty sure these do 4K @ 30hz BTW. Which looks like crap.
Have you seen it in action? I work with it every day and it is actually alright for normal desktop work.
Not this one in particular, but other 4K docks @ 30hz. It's like wading through mud compared to 60hz.
I wouldnt use it for playing UHD games with this setup. But normal desktop activity and even video playback is alright from it.
I bought it on Tuesday. It arrived in my parcel locker. I will let you guys know how it is with my 34 in (3440x1440) and 27 in (2560 x 1080) together.
'For dual display mode resolution is supported up to 2048 x 1152 via Displayport or HDMI and DVI-I used simultaneously.'
But I think you will be fine if you connect the 34" with your computer directly and use the hub to extend the 27".
Massive advantage here from using USB 3.0 rather than the poxy USB 2.0 like I have at home, but there is nowhere near the bandwidth as would be possible on a normal video card.
Personally I think a proper dock is far better, as you get decent video connections. I actually run a USB replicator off my HP dock at home, so that I can have 3 monitors.
These USB things tend to be glitch and/or not work as well as they theoretically should. For a secondary screen like I use, they aren't too bad, but I'd be dubious about running one with a main monitor attached.
One trick is to run everything ELSE off the USB replicator, but plug the screen in directly to the laptop. Yeah, I know that means 2 cables to plug, but hell the result will be worth it.
The issue with USB docks is that they are technically an additional video card output, so you have zero advantage from the onboard GPU.
Best options right now are Thunderbolt or USB-C based docks, they can pass through video via DP. The recent Dell ones are the best around - 1 cable for everything.
The other thing to remember about this dock is that it derives everything over the USB 3.0 including the video card and everything else. Hooking a mouse, keyboard, two monitors and copying off a USB 3.0 hard disk at the same time is not very wise and will cause a lot of lag whilst this is all going. Dont try to hook high transfer stuff off it if you can or else the performance will be impacted.
Anyone try the Dock from Dell?
Or does anyone know if this one charges? I just want a dock that does good usb and charges my xps 15
Have you got the new XPS? If so, grab the Dell for sure.. I've setup a few of them now - flawless. Charges, 4K passthrough, USB3.
Are these any good or would anyone recommend a better Dock?