Our team recently welcomed several new hires who are working in a hybrid setup with company-issued MacBook Air M4 laptops. I've been tasked with setting up their docking stations, but I'm not very experienced in this area. I personally use a Samsung S80UD with a built-in KVM and find it works fine with a simple USB-C connection.
To avoid ongoing support issues, I plan to purchase the same docking station for everyone. Some of the new hires might need to connect two monitors, so I'm looking for a dock that provides both HDMI and DisplayPort options. Ideally, I'm aiming for something that costs between $100 to $200. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
I’ve had good luck with Stardock. I use a 34" Dell USB-C monitor at home, which powers everything with a single cable, including my webcam and USB speakers.
If you’re looking for decent docks, be prepared to spend around $200 to $300 for something that works well. Otherwise, you’ll probably end up with less reliable options.
In my experience, the Dell WD19 works okay but has had some complaints from users. My personal one functions fine. At home, I use a Tobenone dock, and it’s served me well at a good price.
Just a heads up, the WD19 might not be the best for Macs. You'd want the WD19TB (the Thunderbolt version) since a macOS update broke compatibility for some people.
Check how many displays the new hires expect to use; some Mac CPUs, like the M4, can only manage one extended display. If they need more, look into DisplayLink options, although they can be laggy. Remember, avoid multiple HDMI or DisplayPort outputs unless they’re compatible with DisplayLink. A solid Thunderbolt option is a must for multiple displays on Macs, and brands like Kensington or CalDigit are worth considering, albeit a bit pricey.
I’d recommend you boost your budget a bit. You'll want a Thunderbolt dock; don’t skimp with USB docks. We switched to Dell Dock Monitors, specifically the U2724DE, and they’ve been great for us. They handle multiple displays and connect easily.
I second the Dell dock monitors—they're really reliable.
What’s the advantage of those dock monitors compared to regular docks?
These docks do have a lifespan but perform well while they last.