How to Choose a USB C Laptop Docking Station? Your Buying Guides

If users who use thin and light laptops are troubled, then “the interface is never enough” can be considered the most prominent problem. Therefore, buying a USB docking station/hub has become a solution for many users. So, how to choose a docking station to really make up for the shortcomings of the thin and light notebook?

Ⅰ. USB C Laptop Docking Station Interface Rate Differences

It is essential to understand that there is a large difference in the transfer rate between the USB-A and USB-C interfaces in the USB docking station. First of all, the USB protocol has become a mess. In various advertisements, USB2.0/3.0/3.1/3.2/4 are used, in addition to USB2.0 and USB4 definitions being relatively clear, the USB protocol with the prefix 3, and the various titles of merchants are very confusing.

USB 3.2 is the unified name of USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.2, and the current specification and its significance are as follows:

• USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.1 GEN 1=USB 3.0 supports a maximum transfer rate of 5Gbps.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2/ GEN 2×1/ USB 3.1 GEN 2 = USB 3.1 is 10Gbps.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 supports transfer rates of up to 20Gbps.

Although USB 3.2 theoretically supports a maximum transfer speed of 20Gbps, many cheap docking stations not only have a significant number of USB-A ports that still only support lower speeds (such as 480Mbps for USB 2.0), but also support speeds from 5Gbps to 20Gbps, which is very confusing.

In addition, some products advertise multiple USB-A ports, but only one or two of them support speeds up to 10/20Gbps, while others only support 5Gbps or less.

Different specifications of USB-C ports are suitable for different types of devices, such as high-speed external storage, monitors, or other high-speed peripherals, and users need to choose the right USB C docking station according to their needs.

Ⅱ. What is the “Direction” of Bandwidth Capability?

When choosing the best docking station, it is important to distinguish between the upstream interface (from the host to the docking station) and the downstream interface (from the docking station to the peripherals).

• Uplink interface: Usually refers to the interface connecting the host computer (laptop, PC) to the docking station, if the uplink interface is USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), the data transfer rate is usually limited by this interface and usually limits the number of display devices and resolution that the docking station can connect.
• Downstream interface: refers to the interface that connects from the docking station to peripherals (such as monitors, hard disks, keyboards, mice, etc.). The speed and bandwidth of the downstream interface are usually determined by the performance of the upstream interface. If the upstream interface rate is low, the dock’s multiple downstream interfaces may not be able to take full advantage of its maximum performance.

For USB dock stations that do not come with a data cable, consumers should pay special attention to the bandwidth of the data cable. High-bandwidth cables (e.g., USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, USB4) ensure fast data transfers, while low-bandwidth cables (e.g., USB 2.0 or USB 3.0) limit overall performance. Therefore, when purchasing, it is necessary to ensure that the data cable that comes with the selected laptop docking station USB or the data cable that supports it has high enough bandwidth to fully exploit the performance of the laptop docking station USB.

Ⅲ. Does the Docking Station Display Output Capability Meet the Requirements?

Many USB docking stations support external displays.

Display output capability is a very critical factor in a USB C dock station – the bandwidth of the upstream interface.

The definition of an uplink interface has been mentioned earlier. If the uplink interface only supports 10Gbps (e.g., USB 3.2 Gen 2), the type C USB docking station may not be able to support multiple high-resolution displays or achieve high refresh rate output at high resolutions. Typically, a 10Gbps uplink interface only supports a single display output and may be limited to higher resolutions.

For example, USB 3.2 Gen 2 docking stations typically only support 1 display output and may support up to 4K@60Hz resolution, while adapters for high-end Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 docking stations (up to 40Gbps uplink interface bandwidth) are capable of supporting multiple displays simultaneously and support higher resolutions and refresh rates, with up to 4K@120Hz or even 8K@60Hz outputs.

Therefore, it is recommended to confirm whether the USB-a docking station supports the uplink interface with sufficient bandwidth according to your display needs and ensure that the display output is not limited. A single display output can also meet basic office needs. Buying your laptop docking station!

Ⅳ. Is the USB C Laptop Docking Station Charging Capacity Sufficient?

With the development of USB-C PD (Power Delivery) technology, more and more laptop docking stations support the supply of power to connected devices. The maximum power supported by different USB C docking stations is different, usually in the maximum range of 100W or higher (such as 160W, 200W, etc.).

For example, some thin and light laptops may require higher power (e.g., 65W, 100W), while low-power docking stations may only provide 30W or 45W PD output.

When choosing a USB C laptop docking station, consumers should focus more on the power transfer capability than the specific model of the charging management chip. Charging management chips are generally not marked in the product parameters, so the charging capacity of the product needs to be judged by other means.

Here are Some Common Ways to Tell:
1. Whether it supports USB-PD (Power Delivery) protocol: Check whether the USB c dock station supports USB-PD protocol, USB-PD can support higher power output, such as 100W, 120W, etc., which is especially important for high-power laptops.
2. Charging power nominal: The USB c dock station will generally indicate the maximum supported power output. For example, if the dock nominally supports 100W PD charging, it means that it can provide charging for devices that support the USB-C PD protocol, which is usually suitable for most modern laptops, but if you need to charge higher power devices (such as some gaming laptops), you may need to choose a higher power usb c docking station for laptop.
3. Charging performance in actual use: Some docking stations may not be able to provide stable charging for high-power devices at a nominal 100W. When buying, it’s a good idea to refer to some user reviews and reviews to get an idea of how well the charge performs in actual use.

Ⅴ. Don’t Believe USB C Laptop Docking Station in False Claims
When buying a docking station type c, false advertising is a problem that cannot be ignored. Many copycat products claim to be able to provide 5/10Gbps or higher, but the actual transmission rate may be much lower than the advertised data, or even refer to the “number of bandwidths of each port”. Some USB c docking stations claim to support 100W PD charging, but the maximum power they provide may only be 60W. Therefore, it is important to consult detailed specifications and manuals when purchasing and avoid making decisions based solely on promotional slogans. In addition, some merchants may advertise “support for multi-screen 4K display output” (note that there is a space), but in reality, only some ports support 4K, while others only support 1080p or lower resolution. Make sure all the interfaces are the right fit for your needs for the best experience.

In Conclusion
Therefore, when purchasing a USB docking station, we need to consider many aspects: from the transmission rate of the device interface, the display output capacity, to the power supply capacity, the maximum number of access devices, and the performance of the main control chip and charging management chip. By understanding the needs of your own device, choosing the right USB docking station, avoiding falling into the trap of false advertising, and finally being able to get an efficient, stable, and cost-effective product.