Thanks to the rise of hybrid work, laptop docking stations have become more necessary than ever before. Using a docking station allows you to connect your laptop with some of the perks usually associated with desktop computers, like a large computer monitor, quality computer speakers and external computer drives for additional storage.

When you are shopping for the best computer docking station for your office or home desk, your main focus should be on what input/output ports you need. Nearly all laptop docking stations have USB ports. A USB docking station is perfect for connecting to a keyword and mouse and an external SSD drive or hard drive. However, it may not accommodate everything you need.

Your monitor, speakers and other computer equipment might require specialized ports. Docking stations with display ports, such as HDMI ports, often include more than one. Imagine the convenience of using two computer monitors with your laptop thanks to a dual monitor docking station.

Make sure you have all the necessary USB cables and adaptors and monitor cables before setting up your computer docking station. You will want to connect all the auxiliary tech to the docking station so that, when you sit down at your desk and plug in your laptop, everything is ready to go.

You can make the most of your docking station by considering all the input/output options at your disposal and putting them to use. For instance, if you have a docking station with an ethernet port, you can connect an ethernet cable so that you can enjoy the most secure and reliable internet connection when working at your desk.

With a docking station, you don’t have to set up your workspace each time you take your business laptop to the office or open it in your home office. PC gamers are also fans of docking stations, which can connect gaming laptops to many auxiliary gaming components. Keep in mind that if you are gaming or running complex programs on your laptop, your machine may benefit from a laptop cooling pad.