The Best Docking Stations (and Hubs) for Evo Laptops
Evo-certified laptops, including the Dell XPS 13 Plus, HP Spectre, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano, LG Gram 17, and the Acer Swift 3 are as streamlined as they come – ultra-quick, and ultra-portable. Plus, they must meet a stringent set of guidelines or KEIs (key experience indicators) required by Intel. In short, these laptops offer superior performance and are designed to keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle.
So when it’s time to add screens and ports, will just any dock do? In this guide, we’ve rounded up our top docking stations to best suit your new Evo setup.
Best Overall
Let’s not waste any time. What is the best dock for an Evo laptop like the Dell XPS 13? If it’s Evo, it’s got Thunderbolt. And if it has Thunderbolt, start with the?Plugable Thunderbolt? 4 & USB4 Quad Display Docking Station with 98W Charging,?it’s the definition of power. With 16 port options, this dock offers everything you could want and more. It can connect four 4K 60Hz screens (2x HDMI, 2x DP) to your Windows laptop which isn’t the norm for most Thunderbolt docks. It also keeps your laptop charged with up to 100W power delivery; two of the USB ports can charge extra devices like your smartphone or tablet. The dock has seven USB ports in total and is also equipped with Ethernet, SD/microSD slots, and audio. Like we said, it’s the definition of power.
Best Dual Display
Need fewer screens? Then this is your dock. The?Plugable Thunderbolt? 3 and USB-C Dual Display Dock with 96W Host Charging?is the little brother to TBT4-UDZ. Don’t get us wrong, it still provides the power and versatility of the quad dock, just with fewer display options. It connects two 4K 60Hz HDMI or DisplayPort displays and has up to 100W power delivery for your laptop charging needs.
The Data Displayer
The?Plugable USB-C Quad HDMI Docking Station.?This 14-in-1 universal docking station is a complete workhorse. It provides 14 (yes, fourteen) port options, allowing you to connect all your gadgets and accessories. It delivers 1080p 60Hz on up to four HDMI screens and can power your laptop with up to 100W host charging. Gone are the days of carrying around multiple display adapters and power cords.
领英推荐
Practical Performance
Next up is the?Plugable Dual 4K Display HDMI or DisplayPort Universal Docking Station. This 10-port dock allows you to expand your workspace, providing up to 4K 60Hz on dual HDMI or DP displays. Whether you’re reading emails, dissecting data, or creating content, this USB dock is designed to maximize your productivity and creativity in the most efficient way possible. The only thing missing from this 4K UHD dock is charging.
Best Thunderbolt Hub
The?Plugable 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Hub.?It carries the?Engineered for Evo-certified?badge, and it’s the perfect match for your new Evo laptop. The hub is Thunderbolt 4 certified, built on the Goshen Ridge chipset, provides 60W host charging, and comes with five powerful port options. It also delivers 4K 60Hz on dual USB-C displays, or 8K 30Hz on a single screen. To top it off, you can also daisy-chain up to six additional Thunderbolt devices.?
Best Traveler
Meet the?Plugable USB-C 11-in-1 Hub with Ethernet, an 11-port hub that performs like a docking station. This compact hub features two 4K 60Hz HDMI ports, three USB-A ports, SD and microSD slots, 100W pass-through charging, and a Gigabit Ethernet port in case the Wi-Fi gets spotty. This hub is small but mighty – built with a rugged aluminum casing, it is the perfect travel companion whether you’re jet-setting across the globe or commuting to your hybrid office.