Docking Station Advice

Usually the Dell ones would be best since its going to be 100% compatible with your laptop. The universal ones can also work good without issues but you could have odd issues sometimes.

If price is similar I would ideally go for the Dell one.

It doesn't matter who you use.
If Dell has a dock for your specific laptop, I'd look at it first. Alternatively, I'd also look at Targus for a dock.

These are dual display USB C Targus docks:
https://ca.targus.com/collections/docki ... lity_USB-C

USB-C hubs with a 4K HDMI output are as cheap as $21 on Amazon Canada now. A hub with multiple display connectors like DisplayPort, HDMI, Thunderbolt, and VGA tends to be around $40 and up. Different combinations of connectors are available. Here are examples.

https://www.amazon.ca/Docking-Station-M ... B09XV6CX5Q
https://www.amazon.ca/multiport-Adapter ... B09GM2W84S

I was going to buy a hub for an HP laptop, but obtained a company docking station in the end. The docking station is custom made for the laptop and fairly substantial in size and weight compared to a hub on a cable. The docking station offers a unique advantages, including tilting up the back of the laptop for better typing, providing power to the laptop, providing a stable base for multiple heavy monitor cables. Of course the docking station is not as portable as a USB hub, would cost more, and will not work with another model of laptop.

I suppose your choice comes down to certified functionality versus universal portability. or price depending on what matters most to you.

Thanks. Researching now. Dell is expensive!

Thank you for the link. Will keep researching

Appreciate the feedback and amazon choices. Looking at them now

Generally the manufacturer's docking station should work best, and will have features like a power button that you can use to turn the laptop on without opening it etc. OEM docks are usually silly expensive, but it is possible to find a deal on them on marketplace etc. as some employees look to get rid of theirs if they came with their work computer.

Any USB-C dock should work though, just pay attention to ports and if running multi monitor setups what resolutions and configurations are supported.

I'd agree with @m1k30rz . I have a WD19TB (now discontinued, WD19TBS is considered its equivalent replacement model, I guess their WD22TB4 is considered the "latest and greatest" dock and current gen) Dell dock and it was pricey but I was lucky to get a technology credit as part of my health plan at the time to buy it with that covered up to $500 on it. That thing is built like a tank - very substantial and heavy, no overheating problems or flakiness and supports ongoing firmware flashes. I simply have a better experience with it than the dongle-type ones, especially if they aren't powered (i.e. only USB-powered), but doesn't mean there aren't other well-made docks out there that aren't Dell-branded, for sure.

It has worked well through a few different employer-issued Dell laptop models and a couple personally owned Dell laptops too, although the latest employer-issued Dell model doesn't have Thunderbolt (only USB-C, which works fine with it for most features except power button as @m1k30rz mentioned).

OP @PalHal , you might also check out this PDF of Dell compatible dock listing against models - although your Dell model might specifically say "We recommend this dock model" on its Dell.com/Dell.ca listing page, etc.:

https://www.delltechnologies.com/asset/ ... _guide.pdf

That link originates from https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-c ... ility-list .

OP, you didn't mention Ethernet connectivity as a requirement in your first post, it may not be, and the WD19TB has an Ethernet port which I tend to prefer for a bit of an edge for latency and consistency over wireless. Some of the cheaper Ethernet to USB-C/Thunderbolt dongles, I've noted, overheat and drop connectivity in and out. Not all Dell laptop models have a built-in Ethernet port although not sure that's important to you.

Lol at the $500 price point, wouldn't it be better to buy a more capable laptop, that actually has the ports needed. USB-C is an absolute joke

kramer1 wrote: ↑ Lol at the $500 price point, wouldn't it be better to buy a more capable laptop, that actually has the ports needed. USB-C is an absolute joke

Docking stations are not really about gaining extra ports. It is getting the ability to use multiple monitors and a full size keyboard and mouse. All this from one single connection and not having to plug in lots of cables

Personally, I think people should just get a proper desktop. If you spend 90% of the time with the unit docked. Why do you need a laptop?

The only advantage a laptop has is the battery if the power cuts off.