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6 USB iii.0 docking stations: Fully connect your laptop

These six docks link to your laptop via a unmarried USB 3.0 cable to brand a multitude of connections, from the mundane to the multifunction.

By , Contributing Writer, Computerworld |

Half dozen universal docking stations

After a long road trip, aught says "Welcome home!" like the convenience of plugging your notebook into a docking station in gild to consolidate all its connections into one device. The latest ingather of universal docks can connect your laptop to a multifariousness of devices and practise it with USB 3.0, which offers a ten-fold speed advantage over older docks.

Here are six docks that rely on a unmarried USB cable to make a multifariousness of connections, from the mundane (mouse, keyboard and external difficult drive) to the multimedia (external monitors and surround-sound audio). But while they are called universal, these docks just piece of work with Windows laptops and none can charge the computer's battery the fashion a dedicated dock tin.

Still, they brand connecting quicker and easier.

HP 3005pr USB three.0 Port Replicator

While it calls itself a port replicator, the HP 3005pr USB 3.0 Port Replicator (Price, $149 straight, check Amazon toll) has the features of a full-fledged docking station. In addition to a pair of USB iii.0 ports, the device has four USB 2.0 ports. In that location's also a Gigabit Ethernet port, also every bit sound ports for headphones and a microphone.

Its HDMI and DisplayPort connections can serve upwards resolutions of 2560 ten 1600 for a unmarried monitor or 1920 10 1152 for each of two screens. The HP 3005pr conveniently installs its software automatically, which is stored on the unit of measurement on flash memory chips.

Best for: Business organization users who apply a diversity of peripherals.

Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station with Dual DVI/HDMI/VGA Video sd3500v

Expected to ship the showtime calendar week of November, the Kensington USB 3.0 Docking Station with Dual DVI/HDMI/VGA Video sd3500v (cost, $169.99 direct, check Amazon price) provides six USB connections: two USB iii.0 ports upwards front and iv USB 2.0 ports in the back. With both HDMI and DVI video ports, the Kensington dock can put out 2048 x 1152 resolution video streams to ii displays; its video driver tin be installed across an entire visitor's systems using Microsoft Server.

There are microphone and headphone jacks besides as a Gigabit Ethernet connexion. The black plastic dock comes with a snap-on base of operations. To salvage a piddling money, try the lower-cease sd3000v, which lacks the HDMI port but costs $30 less.

All-time for: Heavy-duty users who want loftier-finish video.

Lenovo ThinkPad USB 3.0 Dock

Don't allow its proper name fool you -- the Lenovo ThinkPad USB 3.0 Dock works with whatsoever notebook that has a USB three.0 port. The but 1 of the five docks hither to go exclusively with the USB 3.0 spec, the ThinkPad Dock has five USB 3.0 ports and no USB 2.0 ports; information technology tin work with older USB 2.0 equipment, though.

In that location'southward also a single audio jack, a Gigabit Ethernet port and a pair of DVI ports that tin can drive two screens, each with a maximum 2048 x 1152 resolution. The $119.99 device, straight, (Check Amazon price) is clothed in basic black, and the dot over the "i" in ThinkPad logo glows red when it's on.

Best for: Those who depends on USB iii.0 devices.

Plugable UD-3000 USB 3.0 Universal Docking Station

At $89, direct, Plugable's UD-3000 USB three.0 Universal Docking Station is a good deal. It offers a pair of USB 3.0 ports up front, four USB ii.0 ports in the back and a Gigabit Ethernet port. There's simply ane DVI connection for video that can be used with a monitor at upward to 2048 x 1152 resolution. The UD-3000 (Cheque Amazon toll) has split up audio jacks for plugging in a microphone and headphones, and the tall black dock comes with a base to keep it from tipping over.

Best for: Bargain hunters who don't need HDMI support.

Targus USB iii.0 SuperSpeed Dual Video Docking Station

At 10.6-in. long, the blackness wedge-shaped Targus USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Dual Video Docking Station should fit neatly underneath just about whatsoever laptop, propping it upward to a comfortable typing angle and providing a one-stop connection center. It delivers admission to a pair of USB 3.0 ports too every bit four USB 2.0 ports; there are individual audio jacks for a microphone and headphones.

The Targus dock has a wired Gigabit Ethernet port and tin feed video to a pair of screens with its DVI and HDMI connections that tiptop out at a peak resolution of 2048 x 1152. It sells for $179.99, direct, (Check Amazon cost).

Best for: Typists who don't use external keyboards.

Toshiba Dynadock U3.0 Universal USB 3.0 Docking Station

Toshiba's nine.3-in.-high Dynadock U3.0 Universal USB 3.0 Docking Station provides one thing the others don't: The luxury of environs-audio audio. The $161.99 Dynadock U3.0 (Check Amazon cost) has two jacks for front and rear speakers and a third that can be used for a center channel or subwoofer; as a issue, it can deliver fuller and richer sound.

The black and chrome device has ports for four USB 3.0 connections -- the almost of any dock here -- every bit well every bit a pair of USB 2.0 slots. In add-on to Gigabit Ethernet, it has DVI and HDMI connectors, along with a congenital-in Hard disk video card that allows it to work with ii additional displays at up to 2048 x 1152 resolution.

Best for: Audiophiles who want full, rich sound.