What desktop docks are institutions using?

[Carter]

We need to start adding a dock to staff and faculty laptop orders. However, it’s challenging to find a reasonably priced dock that functions with all the required ports and doesn’t cost a fortune, as we’ll need to order a significant number of these.

I’ve tested several options:

- CalDigit TB3: It works great, but the newer TB4 model is more expensive.

- Dell TB4: It functions well, but it doesn’t support a second extended display out of the box without additional adapters.

- Kensington SD5800: This dock has been good with minor issues of displays not always showing up but fixed by disconnecting and reconnecting the dock.

- Targus: We’ve used these docks in the past, but we avoided them due to issues with DisplayLink and the need for drivers and updates, which caused support problems.

I understand that many high-end docks cost between $350 and $400 CAN however, since we’ll need to purchase a large quantity, it would be beneficial to find a balance between features and cost. CalDigit was the best option based on my testing, followed by Kensington. However, at $460 with tax, it’s a tough sell for the school.

 

It would be great for a dock that has support for two external displays and around 3-4 USB-A ports.

 

Thank you

.

[john]

Have you had a look at the range of Startech? They have a wide range of docks / port replicators.

 

You mentioned a Dell TB4 maybe some of the others they make maybe suitable and cheaper. We used to use a lot of the Dell D6000 (now eol but replaced with a new version) they were about £150gbp at times and did dual screens enough usb ports and charging.

[Carter]

Have you had a look at the range of Startech? They have a wide range of docks / port replicators.

You mentioned a Dell TB4 maybe some of the others they make maybe suitable and cheaper. We used to use a lot of the Dell D6000 (now eol but replaced with a new version) they were about £150gbp at times and did dual screens enough usb ports and charging.

 

The Dell Docks would be great to use as the college is full of them but where Apple heavy leans on TB for extending displays Dell docks will only extend to one. That's why the Dell TB4 dock needs an extra adapter to plug into the TB4 port to get DP or HDMI.

 

I looked at a few of the Stardocks and the one that seemed to fit was over $500.

[Oaktech]

USB 3 or C?

 

I'm using HP USB C dock G4 or Dell D3100 USB 3 all on refurb deals.

[john]

The Dell Docks would be great to use as the college is full of them but where Apple heavy leans on TB for extending displays Dell docks will only extend to one. That's why the Dell TB4 dock needs an extra adapter to plug into the TB4 port to get DP or HDMI.

 

I looked at a few of the Stardocks and the one that seemed to fit was over $500.

Are you using Macbook Airs? If yes that will be why as you need the full thunderbolt setups as its an apple restriction to encourage you to buy the Macbook pro that works with simpler displays.

[Carter]

Are you using Macbook Airs? If yes that will be why as you need the full thunderbolt setups as its an apple restriction to encourage you to buy the Macbook pro that works with simpler displays.

 

MacBook Airs and Pros. Both are the same though limited to how many external they can support. I have an Air setup with two external extended but lid on the laptop stays shut. If open the display mirror but that's a MBA limitation to two total displays. The Pros are similar but can handle the laptop display with two external.

 

For both they all work with the docks listed. I'm trying to go through all the options now to see what the costs are. Some need multiple extra adapter to go from USBC/TB to HDMI/DP which increases the cost with an extra $40-$100 depending on how many extra adapters are needed.

[Carter]

I looked at the Dell P2425HE Hub Monitor which would have been great but for Mac they won't work to extend a second display like they will for a PC plugged in. If Dell could make these work we would be using these.

https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/dell-24-usb-c-hub-monitor-p2425he/apd/210-bmkk/monitors-monitor-accessories

[TechMonkey]

Don't know if they will suit you, probably not if you already have a full compliment of screens, but we are getting the Dell Hub screens. Cheaper than a hub and screen and can daisy chain 2 screens. P2425HE I think, but don't take the price on the website (as ever with Dell).

 

EDIT: Typical, I get distracted and delayed posting and now I look like a muppet

[synaesthesia]

I'm using a pair of Iiyama Prolite XUB2792SQN but frankly despite being good screens they're so unreliable in their connection it's unreal. Identical specwise to the Dell hubs (used the 23 and 24 inch HE's) but I prefer the Dells. They weren't 100% consistent either with passthrough and very flaky with anything other than the USB C cables they came with.

Otherwise HP G4 usb C desktop hubs separately. Not as convenient but a bit more reliable so far, only had them in a few months.

[andy_b]

I'm using a pair of Iiyama Prolite XUB2792SQN but frankly despite being good screens they're so unreliable in their connection it's unreal. Identical specwise to the Dell hubs (used the 23 and 24 inch HE's) but I prefer the Dells. They weren't 100% consistent either with passthrough and very flaky with anything other than the USB C cables they came with.

Otherwise HP G4 usb C desktop hubs separately. Not as convenient but a bit more reliable so far, only had them in a few months.

 

Can echo this. Iiyama seem to be very fussy, particularly with Lenovo's. While the Dell HE work everytime.

[midweek]

Couldn't get an HP G5 dock to work with a SMART GX175 recently. Had to revert to a USB-C cable direct to the board, which worked fine. Was with a brand new HP Elitebook.

[mbedford]

I went cheap and cheerful on a USB C solution, didnt expect it to be great, but 2 years later, no issues

 

Dock

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Revodok-Docking-Station-ThinkPad/dp/B0CR6KNF3X?crid=3CW0HKI1HP684&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KDRCzLftjX8J_uOfivQpTvCqTq1tuGyGBJ-3jDq1Z4jIxmzEnBXWUNhQvyOhxB0CkE1M-S_0XK5OAUsLkL-zhqxVgFUJU9NBG_UbwV3lqnAZL-Zb591J7oYKJsnNtvKR5vkxmvkp-wzAqboPf5l9bXr8GnnNQzpyqWQCGTLwE24I-5qjvqih4TX7ddkPY1USxuWlalUpMY-6RGjiNDh36yz4Wqizt2j4VRzuXIEnCNM.Of9xikoEqjNUV3jyhO5g6UI7y3em3WQ0bOU_Pi-xXEk&dib_tag=se&keywords=USB+C+dock+with+PD&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1737710806&sprefix=usb+c+dock+with+pd%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-18

 

Charger so the user can take theres home, plug this into the dock and then the dock can charge via the USB C link cable it delivers the input\output over

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Charger-Replacement-Lenovo-Laptops-Black/dp/B0CDWKJHD6?crid=2T2GD6LXS6WNL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8lI0in1rZ_vVCXtrxPh6x0kmaNVW3SO3MQCsRu3OE2aL9f9Cjboe-i5-p0Qg4MW1Q1Xg51yB8hRclHuxDRz3qSNdlCqt1L3_gGKMHFT3FZ-HH3s4ZzBIVX6Rm9GUaz1tiJnqeMEuulsM2At3tOkBCdhOnh3zKreHf-QPaehR_vUZ7p5zd9iWTHOhNvDKA8WRRBCxmb46e7YSmYgusJZF_LuLMfb1BWAhjcjJjzaQ1n8.KNbvzooLqgbGH9HjdoWOK0EOsD7DsK-dZD1INOa5094&dib_tag=se&keywords=90w+usb+c+charger&qid=1737710958&sprefix=90w+usb+c+charger%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-6

 

No complaints..... yet!

[psydii]

I went cheap and cheerful on a USB C solution, didnt expect it to be great, but 2 years later, no issues

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No complaints..... yet!

 

That looks very promising. How many deployed? Any macbooks in play? Do all your laptops have the USB-C on the same side? Have any failed?

[mbedford]

No failures yet, we are only deploying these to laptops which use USB for charging, if you need to plug in a separate power cable and a USB cable for the dock, we just use some old USB3.0 type A docks we have in stock.

 

Thankfully, no Macbooks to worry about. I imagine they would require there own special docking station which cost around £200+, look very similar to a £50 one, but importantly, have an Apple logo on them :-)

[StephenPink]

We're using the Dell UD22 docks - with Dell laptops, HP laptops, Macbook Pros all with 3 screens (2 DP, 1 HDMI) and so far so good. There was a little bit of DisplayLink driver faff on the Macbooks at the beginning, but otherwise reliable. And I think they're around £110 ext VAT.

[ITGuyNW]

For those that have docks, specifically the HP USB C G4 ones, how are you making sure they arent leaving rooms?

[MatthewL]

We use a mix of Dell and Lenovo 24" USB C monitors, you can link 2 monitors together too, 1 cable that does everything.

[nadeem]

We're using the Dell UD22 docks - with Dell laptops, HP laptops, Macbook Pros all with 3 screens (2 DP, 1 HDMI) and so far so good. There was a little bit of DisplayLink driver faff on the Macbooks at the beginning, but otherwise reliable. And I think they're around £110 ext VAT.

 

Dell are EOL these docks and not replacing these at all - so if you want more I'd suggest you grab them now.

 

We've tried many things but basically the Kensington whilst being the most expensive do cover pretty much anything you may need

[StephenPink]

Dell are EOL these docks and not replacing these at all - so if you want more I'd suggest you grab them now.

 

We've tried many things but basically the Kensington whilst being the most expensive do cover pretty much anything you may need

 

Noooooooo say what?? Where did you hear/see this please? That would be massively disappointing - I can't see anything in my Dell Premier Portal. Thanks

[nadeem]

Noooooooo say what?? Where did you hear/see this please? That would be massively disappointing - I can't see anything in my Dell Premier Portal. Thanks

 

Re the Dell UD22 being EOML in March 2025 - a roadmap briefing from our account manager, there are new Dell Smart Docks coming in April - but they will not replace the UD (universal Dock) range

[CHiLL]

We are using the HP USB-C G5 Essential Dock for about a year now and they've been pretty reliable. Most issues we've encountered are issues with the connected laptop or external devices than the dock itself.

For those that have docks, specifically the HP USB C G4 ones, how are you making sure they arent leaving rooms?

We haven't locked ours or anything like that and haven't had any issues of them going for walks. If any do go for a walk, then we'll likely use the timetable to figure out when it was last there and start having chats with people and if it persists, then it'll be raised with management.

[Oaktech]

For those that have docks, specifically the HP USB C G4 ones, how are you making sure they arent leaving rooms?

 

We've not had any instances of them going walkies but they do have a K lock slot.

[Carter]

Don't know if they will suit you, probably not if you already have a full compliment of screens, but we are getting the Dell Hub screens. Cheaper than a hub and screen and can daisy chain 2 screens. P2425HE I think, but don't take the price on the website (as ever with Dell).

EDIT: Typical, I get distracted and delayed posting and now I look like a muppet

I've tested out the Dell P2425HE and for PC's it will daisy chain displays but with macOS it only mirrors the second display without thunder bolt. I really wish they worked as we have a number of them at the college now.

[Carter]

We use a mix of Dell and Lenovo 24" USB C monitors, you can link 2 monitors together too, 1 cable that does everything.

 

We've tried the Dell P2425HE which have built in hubs and use USB C but won't daisy chain a second display without mirroring. What model are you using?