What is a laptop docking station?

Manufacturers have figured out how to make a laptop even more mobile and multifunctional - a docking station has appeared on the market. Let's see how much such an innovation is needed by the modern user and how we somehow managed without it before.

Dock station

The content of the article

Purpose of a docking station for a laptop
Varieties

Purpose of a docking station for a laptop

For full-fledged work, a person needs additional peripheral devices: printing, scanning, an additional monitor, keyboard, hard drives, etc. - you can’t list everything at once. Accordingly, for a normal, harmonious process, all this must be connected. Due to the limited number of connectors, it will not be possible to connect everything at the same time. You will have to alternately turn on/off the units. This is where the Dock station comes to the rescue, helping to optimize your workspace.

A docking station (from the English Docking station - docking station) is a device that, due to a set of various ports and support for wireless protocols, significantly expands the capabilities of a laptop.

Thanks to the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connectors, you can connect an additional monitor, keyboard, pointing device, hard drive.
Equipping it with Gigabit Ethernet adapters and audio connectors allows you to connect speaker systems.
There is a model built into the monitor. Using the UWB wireless protocol, it interacts with the system unit or laptop. When using a transmitter, data from a mobile gadget can be projected onto it.
The Henge Docs company has released a station that can replace the system unit. The laptop turns on with the lid closed; you just need to run the wires (make a connection) from the peripheral devices. Installation takes place, after which it is ready to work with a monitor, TV or printer.
You can equip it with a compartment for a CD/DVD drive or hard drive.
It may contain: a card reader, a modem port, a fan.

Varieties

In addition to those listed above, narrowly focused models also received a start in life.

Music. They perform the functions of a full-fledged music center - they allow you to listen to pre-amplified musical compositions recorded on it through the built-in speakers, as well as charge the battery.
Charger. A stand combined with a charger was invented. The device stood vertically in it, allowing you to use the telephone. In addition, pair the device with the gearbox and perform a number of other functions. Chargers for all mobile devices and laptops have now been released, with connectors universal for all devices.
Machine. Here the car battery is used to charge mobile devices, most often a navigator or mobile phone. Since it is installed vertically, if necessary, it can be used as a full-fledged headset for hands-free calls or a music center.
Station wagon. The initial task of docking stations, in addition to mandatory recharging, is to combine all devices connected to the laptop into one. This simplifies the exchange of data between them. For example, if you connect a keyboard to it, this will simplify typing on your phone and speed up data processing. Working with media data will be simplified by including an additional processing and amplification device.