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What is a Laptop Docking Station?
Daniel Horowitz
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September 4, 2018
For those who like to use their laptop computers both on the road and at home, it can be a bit of a challenge to transition from one scenario to the other.
Laptops are designed to be portable and used when away from a desktop. However, when you only own a desktop, you’re unable to take your work with you to more easily collaborate with others.
Docking stations for laptops are meant to bridge the gap between portability and having a stationary place to work and play.
With a docking station, you can get the best of both worlds with a system that allows your laptop to work for both purposes.
What features does a docking station include?
The particular docking station you purchase depends on the type of computer you have, the functions you want to use it for, and whether you want extras included.
The docking station itself is usually pretty small and doesn’t take up much space, which can be great if you don’t have much room on your desk. Some of the most basic docking stations provide a power supply and ports for connecting to other devices.
More advanced docking stations may include space for additional PC monitors, keyboards, and computer speakers. It can also have additional USB-C ports to connect to printers, add external hard drives, and connect microphones and audio.
Why should I consider a docking station?
If you like to have additional features that a laptop doesn’t provide, then a docking station can save you a lot of hassle when connecting and disconnecting your computer. They can be especially helpful if you use your computer for work and need to bring it into the office every day.
Other than spending a few minutes reconnecting your PC peripherals, you can simply place your laptop on the docking station and have the experience of a desktop.
For those who use their laptop for work, a docking station can be helpful by providing a desktop experience without paying additional money for a larger computer. With multiple devices attached, a docking station cuts down on the number of cables needed and makes for a cleaner desk, too.
What laptop docking station is right for me?
Finding the right docking station will depend a lot on the make and model of your laptop. If you have an HP laptop, then you will need to find an HP laptop docking station that is designed specifically for your computer. Once you have done some research into which options are available for the model you have, you can make a choice based on price, size, and the features it offers.
You will want to consider what you plan to use your laptop for, too. If you need monitors for multi-tasking, then make sure the docking station you are looking at has space for more than one. The ultimate decision will come down to the function you see your laptop having when you have it in a stationary position.
About the Author: Daniel Horowitz is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets.
