debcook

Universal docking stations are a great accessory for anyone using a laptop. Ports are mirrored to the ports already found on the laptop and often there are few extras as well.

I have two proprietary docking stations – one for my Sony Vaio (11.1” widescreen) and one for my Sony Vaio UMPC (4.5” widescreen). They both work very well.

One advantage of having a universal docking station is convenience. Instead of plugging in each individual device whether it is an external monitor, a printer or even a USB flash drive only one connection is needed between the universal docking station and the laptop. Just walk in – set laptop on the desk – plug into the universal docking station – get to work.

Organization is another good reason to use one. When not is use all of the cords and the device itself can be placed out of the way. Most universal docking stations are rather small and will actually save more space than they use.

My desk has several cables laying on it all the time. Each time I enter my home office I get my laptop out, set it on my desk and start plugging in cables. My laptop has 2 USB ports and often I have to trade out devices (printer, scanner, USB flash drive) between them. I guess I could keep my docking station set up – but if I switch laptops I would have to switch docking stations as well.

I have been looking at universal docking stations and trying to decide which one I want. So far I like a couple by Targus. Both have digital video and all of the typical ports. The “Targus Universal Laptop Docking Station – with Video” connects to the laptop via a USB port. This single connection can include an external keyboard, an external monitor, a mouse, a printer, a network cable, speakers and the list goes on. There are two “always on” USB ports. I love this feature for external backup drives. I do not want to chance loosing data if my backup drive is not stopped properly. Now I have to jump up from the dinner table to keep my laptop “awake” so that I do not have to remove my backup drives.

I do not have an ExpressCard slot but if I did I would prefer the “Targus ExpressCard Laptop Docking Station with Digital Video and Audio”. This model has four USB “always on” ports and supports digital audio.

Both include another super cool feature. An external monitor plugs directly into the Targus universal docking station and there are three separate ways to view that monitor.

1. external monitor only
2. external monitor and laptop monitor simultaneously
3. laptop monitor can be projected onto the external monitor

I can see a new universal docking station on my desk. My proprietary docking stations are about to be packed away. Do you use one? Do you like it? Do you want one too?

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