What is the difference between a USB-C hub and a docking station?

A USB-C port on the notebook is a practical thing. Depending on the model, the laptop can be easily connected to a monitor and supplied with power at the same time. If the screen also has USB sockets, you can even use it to connect a mouse and keyboard to the notebook. This minimizes cable clutter. But what happens if employees want to work from their home office, as is currently the case because of the coronavirus?

After all, not everyone has a current monitor or wireless input device at home. A USBC docking station or USB-C dock helps here. Older devices can also be easily connected via this. In the overview, you will find popular USB-C hubs.

 

What is the difference between a USB-C hub and a docking station?

Docking stations are larger in size and more suitable for professionals. Unlike USB C hub and docking station can easily support connection to up to 3 external monitors and it can even support a max 8K resolutions to a single screen.

USB-C hub: expansion as you wish:

Which iPad docking station you need depends entirely on the requirements. If you can also use your notebook at home without any problems and without an additional dock on the monitor, a hub that expands the existing connections by two or three USB-A sockets may be sufficient.

Alternatively, there are also variants with HDMI and network connections. Creatives can even retrofit the SD card reader via a USB-C hub. For some devices, like Apple's MacBook, make sure the hub has a USB-C port for power. Ideally, the dock offers power delivery.

Lention USB-C hub: Four in one go:

Does everything fit in the home office, except for the keyboard and mouse? Then a cheap USB-C hub, for example from lention, is sufficient. This is how you can retrofit four USB-A sockets at a low cost. That's enough to connect a printer and an external hard drive in addition to input devices. The hub is also comparatively very cheap and so you can easily buy it.

USB-C Hub: Everything you need:

If you need something more, you will find it at Lention, among others. With the premium 5-in-1 USB-C Hub, you can expand your notebook with two USB 3.0 sockets, an SD memory card reader (also microSD with an adapter), and an HDMI connection for an external monitor.

Even more, is possible with the Lention 7-in-1 USB-C. The USB-C hub also offers an Ethernet and a USB-C connection. Handy if you actually own the "basic" MacBook. However, more connections also cost more money. For the USB-C hub from Lention and comparable models.

12 in 1 USB-C hub: A lot is possible:

The 12in1 USB-C docking station is the Stevens hub among the docks: everything is really on board here. In addition to two USB 2.0 and 3.0 sockets, DisplayPort, HDMI, and LAN, a card reader for SD and microSD cards are included. You can also connect headphones to the dock via the 3.5 mm jack. There are also two USB-C ports, one of which offers power delivery.

Long way to and from USB:

It wasn't until early 2018 that the trend towards universal docks really picked up speed: with Lenovo, Dell, and HP, all three major manufacturers of business laptops moved at once. As always, they presented new hardware for the office at the beginning of the year, but for the first time, they had all docking stations with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 Type-C in their luggage.

However, your long experience does not have to be an advantage. HP, Dell, and Lenovo have been making docks for just as long, but their models have only been found in offices. Instead, USB devices were aimed at laptops, which didn't have docks at all - primarily consumer PCs.

Only now are they competing with big players like Lenovo and Dell. Shortly before the end of the issue, HP even presented a second generation - so some information about the device is still missing.

 

The DisplayPort Alternate Mode with USB Type-C:

In addition to the USB data line, the USB Type-C connection on the notebook and other devices has another function. This is called DisplayPort Alternate Mode. A monitor adapter can be connected to the corresponding USB Type-C port of the device. If this supports the Alt Mode, the transmission of data to the monitor via adapter or cable works here.

If the device supports Alt Mode, the corresponding adapters and cables from USB Type-C to DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, or VGA can be used to connect the corresponding monitors.

More technology for the home office?

Need more than just a USB-C hub for your home? No problem! Lention.com offers an overview of the best hardware for the home office. In addition to laptops and monitors, this also includes printers, keyboards, and webcams.

Are you looking for a high-quality MacBook Pro docking station dual monitor? Then visit Lention.com and explore through a wide range of docking stations and other peripherals.


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