For a lot of folks, when they think of docking stations, they think of adding extra screens to a laptop. And while docks certainly excel at that particular task, they have a lot of other features. To assume you only need a dock to expand your screen count is like assuming you only need a Swiss Army knife for the fork. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re working from the office, the hybrid middle ground, or fully remote (talk about living the dream), a docking station can seriously upgrade your workflow. Let’s take a look at the top five reasons to use a docking station. 

1. More Ports, Less Pouting

You sit down at your laptop ready to start your day. You need to connect an external hard drive, your mouse, a keyboard, and your phone charger. Your laptop has exactly two ports. A docking station solves that problem.

Docks can give you access to all the extras: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, SD card slots—you name it. Think of it as an expansion pack for your laptop. 

2. Save That Aging Laptop

Just because your laptop is a few years old doesn’t mean it should be banished to the tech graveyard. A good laptop docking station can bridge the gap between older hardware and modern peripherals.

Need to connect a couple of 4K external monitors to a laptop that was born before 4K was cool? Want to hook up high-speed storage or wired Ethernet without your laptop throwing a tantrum? A dock can help keep your older gear relevant.

3. That’s One Cool Cord

Let’s set the scene. You walk up to your desk, plug in one cable, and suddenly your laptop is charging (assuming your dock and laptop support the functionality), your monitors light up, your keyboard and mouse come to life, and your external drives are ready to roll. Connecting multiple devices with a single connection really is the magic of a docking station.

No more plugging and unplugging a half-dozen cables every time you sit down. Your future self will thank you.

4. Share and Share Alike

In a shared workspace? A universal docking station makes it easy for anyone to walk up and  use the same setup, just bring your own laptop and plug in.

It’s a game changer for hot desks, conference rooms, and co-working setups. Plus, it saves time, reduces cable clutter, and might even prevent arguments about who stole whose HDMI cable.

5. Yes, It’s Still Great for Monitors

And, yeah, obviously, docking stations do make it incredibly easy to connect one, two, heck, even five monitors (depending on the capabilities of the dock and your system). If you're into spreadsheets, design, coding, or just like having Slack open on one screen while pretending to work on the other—a dock is the answer. 

What to Look for in a Docking Station

  • Compatibility with your laptop’s ports (USB-A for older computers, USB-C, USB4, or Thunderbolt for your newer laptops)
  • Number and types of video outputs
  • Number and speed of USB ports (look for 10Gbps USB-A and USB-C port for quick transfer speeds)
  • Power Delivery (can it charge your laptop while connected? It’s worth noting not all computers support charging over USB-C)
  • Ethernet, audio jacks, and SD card readers if you need them
  • Brand reliability and customer support
  • Is it a Plugable dock (it probably should be)

Final Thoughts

So, do you need a docking station? I dunno, does a Swiss Army knife need a fork? If you’re tired of playing port Tetris or just want a simpler, cleaner, and more productive workspace, then yes. You need a docking station. Find the best dock for your laptop with the Plugable Dock Finder. 

And, no, a Swiss Army knife doesn't need a fork, but in the right situation, it makes things a lot more convenient. 

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