WHAT IS A DOCKING STATION?

In recent years, laptops have become smaller, slimmer and lighter, but above all more powerful. Despite these numerous advantages, they often only have a limited number of ports. To get the most out of your laptop and not have to worry about not being able to connect additional accessories, it is worth equipping yourself with a docking station. Thanks to this device, the functionality of the computer is significantly improved and user comfort is increased.

Docking station - what is it?

With a docking station, you can connect a number of devices to your laptop and thus significantly expand the possibilities of your computer. Another advantage is that with a docking station you don't have to constantly disconnect and reconnect all the cables. The main purpose is to increase the number of connections. We often connect more and more of our favorite devices to our laptop, but the number of ports is very limited. In this case, the docking station is very useful. Visually, the device resembles a stand, which is connected to a laptop via a special slot. The problem of too few ports does not affect desktop users, so they do not need a docking station.

The following devices can be connected to the docking station:

• Mouse,
• Monitor,
• Keyboard,
• Scanner,
• Printer,
• Modem,
• Camera,
• Telephone,

as well as gadgets such as a USB light.

The advantages of a docking station

Because laptops don't have many ports, the problem often arises of how to connect all the necessary devices and still keep your desk tidy. In this case, the docking station is a real lifesaver. It only takes a few seconds to transform a slim notebook into a functional desktop computer. Nowadays, the ports are rarely located on the back. Instead, they are located on the sides, and when you connect a mouse or keyboard, for example, you lose space on your desk for a tangle of cables. The docking station significantly increases working comfort, as it allows you to connect a monitor, external hard drives or a projector at the same time and is so compact that it can also be used outside the home or office.

Who is a docking station for?

A docking station is ideal if you use the same laptop for work, on business trips, at customer meetings and also at home. With the docking station, you can simply unplug your computer and take it with you wherever you go, while all your other devices stay in place. There is no need to repeat the ritual of reconnecting devices. The station is also useful when we find the laptop screen too small for office work. When we are on the road, we use the laptop, but when we want to concentrate, we connect it in the office/home to the station to which we have connected the monitor and work comfortably as on a normal computer.

The docking station can also be used as a file storage, as there are models equipped with a hard disk. This option is very useful for those who have little space on their computer drives.

Another important advantage of the docking station is the ability to charge the batteries. Some models have two batteries so that you can work almost continuously. When one battery is empty, it can be replaced by a second one. It is also important that the docking station allows the laptop to operate without power and with an empty battery.

Docking stations with optical drives are also available on the market. This is important because nowadays fewer and fewer laptops have them, and it may happen that we need the ability to play a CD, DVD or Blue-Ray disc.

Differences between a docking station and a port replicator

Some people use the terms "docking station" and "port replicator" interchangeably, but it must be made clear that these are not synonyms. In the past, the main difference was that a replicator, unlike a cradle, could not charge batteries. In addition, the port replicator was connected via USB. Nowadays, this boundary is becoming increasingly blurred. All replicators are equipped with Thunderbolt 3, which enables battery charging in addition to port expansion. A key difference was also that docking stations were intended for specific laptop models, while replicators can be connected to any computer.

Aspects to consider

If you want to equip your laptop with a docking station, you need to know that not everyone has the right slot. Most of the time, these are business computers, which are more expensive than commercial devices. If you are looking for a professional laptop, it is worth taking a look at AMSO's extensive range. You can quickly find a suitable laptop and the corresponding docking station in the online store. Don't forget that not every docking station works with every computer. So before you buy, make sure that your laptop has a hot-plug function. This is important so that you don't have to switch off the device before connecting it to the station. Finally, you should be aware that docking stations can differ considerably, even if they come from the same manufacturer. Fundamental differences can exist in the types of ports. In any case, a docking station significantly improves the working experience and is worth considering.