Universal docking stations for laptops
Discussion
I have a ThinkPad personal laptop and am about to get a Macbook of some sort for work. I'd like to get some kind of universal USB-C docking station which will happily support either. I only have one monitor (2K 32") and USB mouse and keyboard, I'd like to be able to power/charge either laptop as connected. What's good?
The magic word you are looking for there is Displaylink.
Those docks allow you to add multiple screens etc even to devices that have a level of security applied. On some low-end macs it's the only approach to get additional screens. (edit, as Apple hobbled the onboard graphics in them deliberately)
I'm currently using one that provides 2x4k, many USB ports, Gigabit LAN, and probably some other stuff I've forgotten. If your use is general office task stuff, I'd recommend this type. (Displaylink is a series of chipsets sold to many different manufacturers)
If you're a gamer you'd perhaps want to look at Thunderbolt or USB devices, that offer higher performance. I did buy a Belkin dual-mode USB\Thunderbolt one, but that went back as I found my work laptop was set up in such a way that neither USB-C or Thunderbolt worked fully.
It's more of a minefield than it initially appears, worth looking carefully at the capabilities of each laptop you want to use, and if any security policies are in place that might limit what you can connect.
Those docks allow you to add multiple screens etc even to devices that have a level of security applied. On some low-end macs it's the only approach to get additional screens. (edit, as Apple hobbled the onboard graphics in them deliberately)
I'm currently using one that provides 2x4k, many USB ports, Gigabit LAN, and probably some other stuff I've forgotten. If your use is general office task stuff, I'd recommend this type. (Displaylink is a series of chipsets sold to many different manufacturers)
If you're a gamer you'd perhaps want to look at Thunderbolt or USB devices, that offer higher performance. I did buy a Belkin dual-mode USB\Thunderbolt one, but that went back as I found my work laptop was set up in such a way that neither USB-C or Thunderbolt worked fully.
It's more of a minefield than it initially appears, worth looking carefully at the capabilities of each laptop you want to use, and if any security policies are in place that might limit what you can connect.
Edited by shtu on Thursday 9th July 13:30
If both laptops can charge via USB-C then there are loads of cheap generic docks/hubs with all manner of expansion options. I got a UGreen hub off Amazon for about £25 to work as a docking station with my Lenovo Thinkpad so only have the USB-C cable to connect/disconnect.
Older Thinkpads have a proprietary yellow rectangle connector which means having to use a Lenovo dock/hub that likely won't work with a Macbook but newer ones are USB-C so then it depends if Apple have also moved on from their proprietary cables for the generation you're looking to use.
Older Thinkpads have a proprietary yellow rectangle connector which means having to use a Lenovo dock/hub that likely won't work with a Macbook but newer ones are USB-C so then it depends if Apple have also moved on from their proprietary cables for the generation you're looking to use.
Mac support will limit your choices I think. Some show support but only if you want the main display to be replicated on the external displays.
This one is apparently "recommended by Apple Insider..." https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0FCXBMS1K
Theres also a handy chart showing what USBC ports support which functions.
USB should work across everything, Ethernet, maybe. Displayport, check the description.
This one is apparently "recommended by Apple Insider..." https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0FCXBMS1K
Theres also a handy chart showing what USBC ports support which functions.
USB should work across everything, Ethernet, maybe. Displayport, check the description.
I'm also going between Thinkpad and Mac via docking station.
Basically, it's a minefield, mostly in relation to the display. Displaylink may or may not be necessary depending on a zillion factors.
Even if you deepdive specs for your specific models, you can still end up with something which doesn't work properly.
I'd start at the cheap end according to the kind of spec you're looking for, and work up.
Buying from somewhere with easy returns is key.
Basically, it's a minefield, mostly in relation to the display. Displaylink may or may not be necessary depending on a zillion factors.
Even if you deepdive specs for your specific models, you can still end up with something which doesn't work properly.
I'd start at the cheap end according to the kind of spec you're looking for, and work up.
Buying from somewhere with easy returns is key.
Also, Macs work better with a Thunderbolt 4 dock. Some docks are pure USB-C, others are Thunderbolt compatible. I have two - a Dell USB-C, and a Ugreen Thunderbolt 4 dock. The Dell one only works with a PC that has display link drivers - but my Macs don't like it. The Thunderbolt version works fine with both.
Most Macs will play nice with with a USB C dock, displaylink shouldn't be needed unless you're using multiple displays and that's only on older apple silicon chips. At work we have older HP displaylink docks that are fine that work with our M1 macs and our Windows machines, at home I've a Dell WD19TB that works with my Windows laptops and the OHs M4 Macbook but it will only support that using certain ports rather than just two Displayport cables.
Magic919 said:
Dell make some that do the job. Not cheap, but they work and can give power via USB-C.
That’s what I’m using. It was supplied by a previous employer who never asked for it back. It works just fine with my current work Thinkpad or my personal MacBook Pro and HP gaming laptop. I have one of these and it's been faultless. Miles better than the Targus it replaced
https://amzn.eu/d/076lExdd
https://amzn.eu/d/076lExdd
Same issue here.
I have a works issued HP and a M2 MBA - the issue for me was the need for a displayport connecter for the hub as the MBA to work with a 49" widescreen monitor needed this rather than just a HDMI output.
I went for:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DYTVVLH4?ref=ppx_yo2...
UGreen 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station, USB C Triple 4K Display Dock (2 HDMI+ DP, For Windows Only), 100W Max Laptop Charging, 10Gbps USB-C/A, Ethernet, SD/TF, Audio, 140W Adapter for Dell/Lenovo/HP
I paid £100 for it but it's currently £70 - it's been excellent. All my peripherals flow through it and connect immediately (conference cams / etc.) regardless of which laptop is hot-swapped.
Plus it removes the need to have the chargers for either laptop as the USBC cable powers them both as well.
I have a works issued HP and a M2 MBA - the issue for me was the need for a displayport connecter for the hub as the MBA to work with a 49" widescreen monitor needed this rather than just a HDMI output.
I went for:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DYTVVLH4?ref=ppx_yo2...
UGreen 13-in-1 Laptop Docking Station, USB C Triple 4K Display Dock (2 HDMI+ DP, For Windows Only), 100W Max Laptop Charging, 10Gbps USB-C/A, Ethernet, SD/TF, Audio, 140W Adapter for Dell/Lenovo/HP
I paid £100 for it but it's currently £70 - it's been excellent. All my peripherals flow through it and connect immediately (conference cams / etc.) regardless of which laptop is hot-swapped.
Plus it removes the need to have the chargers for either laptop as the USBC cable powers them both as well.
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