Docking Stations Make Me Feel Like an Old Man. Recommendations?

neptunesdeals on 20/07/2024 - 16:04
Last edited 21/07/2024 - 14:53 by 2 other users

Hi team, I consider myself a fairly tech savvy person, but on my hunt for a docking station I find that im questioning myself at every turn.. seems that there's so many nuances, so many people complaining that certain things don't work.. Doesn't help that i dont quite understand the difference between any of the input/out put types…

Would someone be able to help?

Basically I want one to clean up the cable management on my desk (my partner has a mac and I have a new thinkpad (and a pc and gaming laptop but im less worried about them.))

We have two monitors:

• One is 1920x1080 with 144 hz which has 1xDP(for my PC), 2x HDMI and a DVI, plus some other weird looking slots that I don't know what they do.
• The other is 1920x1080 with 2x HDMI and a VGA.

I personally use my laptop keyboard and a USB mouse, but my partner uses a wireless KB/mouse.

She has a 'dongle' going into her laptops USB C which has her wireless kb/mouse adapter, an HDMI cable and a USBC (which is connected to a janky old dock which is connected via HDMI to one of the monitors.). This dongle doesn't pass through any power, so a usb c charger just goes into her other port.

For me I just plug those things in without the dongle(as it doesnt seem to work for me), which just ends up in a lot of changing cables.

Realistically my "Must have" would be a single input cable that charges both of our computers enables use of both displays, and allows my partner to use her keyboard and mouse. Anything that would allow me to get my PC Into the mix is a bit of a bonus. Everything else is nice to have.

In terms of budget, i dont mind spending a lot, I just don't want to pay a lot of money for something that doesn't tick those "must haves"

Thanks so much in advance, I hate having to ask these questions but it genuinely just seems like such a diluted space.

• 

  Mostly Fanless on 20/07/2024 - 17:35

  I'm not entirely following what the goal is here… but have you considered getting new larger dedicated monitors for each of you (since you say "i dont mind spending a lot" and those must be pretty old)?

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  soan papdi on 20/07/2024 - 17:47

  +2

  Get a larger monitor with USB-C and a USB hub, attach a wireless dongle to the monitor so that the keyboard and mouse work with which ever laptop is linked to the usb-c cable. E.g. Dell u3223qe

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  bargaino on 20/07/2024 - 18:55

  Saying "Docking Stations" makes you sound old :-) Modern laptops do not need docking, everything can be done via a single USB-C cable, as you know.
  Dongle is not the right word either. What you want is called a "hub".

  https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=usb-c+hub+dual+hdmi+charge
  Be sure it has PD-power passthrough, and suitable display outputs.

  That will provide one plug for power, ethernet, dual monitors, keyboard, mouse etc. One hub for you, one for the wife. And a USB power supply for each, which you probably already have.
  The complication is sharing between 2 laptops and PC.
  Is it just the monitors to share? That is no problem with multiple inputs. Hopefully they auto-select?

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  ihfree on 20/07/2024 - 19:16

  I use a thunderbolt dock, however this may be overkill for your needs.

  This Dock is attched to the HDMI inputs of my monitors and a Ugreen USB switch. Attached to the USB switch is my keyboard, mouse dongle, security key and USB for speakers.

  My desktop is attached to the DP inputs of my monitors.

  Switching involves pressing the button the USB switch and changing monitor inputs. Much of my desktop use is through remote desktop.

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  tabz on 21/07/2024 - 11:30

  Maybe a CalDigit TS3+ would be good. Has plenty of USB ports for peripherals and works well with both Mac and Windows laptops.

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  timmypete on 23/07/2024 - 10:26

  I'm a fan of the Dell HD22Q, which is $120ish frequently enough on Amazon. I like it because it's super compact, port dense (inc all the ones you need) and doubles as a wireless phone charger.

  My partner and I regularly swap around our personal and work laptops on our single desk at home, and both my parents use this model too. Never had any issues with HP/Dell/Surface compatibility, but I'm aware that it's a bit of a crapshoot about which specific models of Macs support Displayport over alt mode, so you may either want to buy with returns policy in mind, or check your wife's specific Macbook model's graphics capabilities/USB specs.