Docking Stations

Bridging Portable and Stationary Desktop Setups

Traditionally, workstations include a stationary PC setup with a monitor or two. This means that your work devices stay in one place for a prolonged period and do not move. This can become an issue for some folks when their work duties call for being on their feet a large portion of the day or when they need to hop on a project outside the office. You could fix those issues by using a laptop however, using a monitor or dual monitor setup allows you to be more productive by having a larger screen real estate to work with. A docking station can help bridge the portability sought after in laptops and the benefits of a stationary work setup.

Technology Services – Student Affairs currently offers a few models of docking stations. The models we have deployed include:

  • HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W Generation 2
  • Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Workstation Dock

What is a docking station?

A docking station is a device meant to be used with your laptop or mobile device that can allow for increased device access and allow you to connect to more peripheral devices. It does this by connecting via Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C or USB-A to power your setup. This allows your laptop or device to perform at its best with the support of the docking station and auxiliary features brought on by connected devices. A docking station, however, cannot be used in tandem with a workstation with the same monitors.

Am I the best candidate to utilize a docking station?

Users that would get full utilization from a docking station are those wanting to use a laptop on the go but also have a traditional monitor setup in the office. You would also be a great candidate if you want your device to be able to connect to peripheral devices and gain those auxiliary features. Devices using a docking station will benefit both productivity and functionality making your workload that much easier.

NOTE: Should you decide to use a laptop/tablet with a docking station as your primary work device, be advised that supply chain issues may significantly impact delivery times of the docking station.

How do I setup a docking station?

To set up a docking station, read our Docking Station Setup handout specific to the model you received.

You can access the handouts by clicking the one for your device: