Docking station for a laptop

[Ilz]

Good morning.

I need help about buying a docking station for my business. I am an accountant, so I move around a lot to client. Thus I need to work on a laptop. When I am in my office, I would like to use a bigger screen, keyboard and mouse. The question that I have is whether I need to buy one of those more expensive Dell or HP laptops which have dedicated docking stations or is there another way in which I can dock my laptop when I am in the office. Due to the nature of my work (mostly spreadsheets and using the internet to e-file tax returns), I don't really need a top of the range laptop with major processing power.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Hi Ilz...Dell is not expensive. At the moment it is just about the best value for money laptop you can buy especially considering the 3 year onsite warranty that is included. You also do not have to buy a docking station per se. A port replicator can also do the job. It is cheaper but not as easy and quick to slot into as a dockong station. I can provide you with quotes if you wish. Send me a PM with your email and location so I can try and assist you.

 

[RoganDawes]

Alternatively, have a look at a USB docking station (e.g. Plugable). Provides graphics, ethernet, extra USB ports, audio, etc, all on a single USB connection.

Docking then becomes plugging in the power, and a USB connection.

 

[AstroTurf]

or buy a wireless keyboard/mouse combo with a small USB transmitter and just leave it plugged in, if you have a printer that needs to be plugged in or multiple peripherals that stay at work you can also get a USB hub, plug everything into that then you just need to plug the hub into the laptop when in the office.

Wi-Fi network and all you would need to plug in is the monitor.