When we buy a desktop PC, we are buying a device that we can expand in the future by adding more memory, more space, new graphics, changing the processor and motherboard, among others. But we also have a large number of connectivity options at our disposal, a possibility that is not found in laptops.
A few years ago, any laptop included all kinds of ports to connect a large number of peripheralsHowever, in recent years, the tendency of manufacturers is to reduce them in order to try to make them smaller and lighter. Finding a laptop that has more than 2 USB-A ports is almost impossible. If we talk about USB-C ports, things are even more complicated, since not all manufacturers implement this type of ports.
Other manufacturers choose to limit themselves to adding USB-C ports to power the equipment, to connect external monitors, eliminating the HDMI port and storage drives, forcing users to buy adapters or have to renew their peripherals. Manufacturers are based on trends and not on what the user really wants.
To expand the number of ports on any PC and not have compatibility problems with any peripheral, the best thing we can do is buy docks, a device that is especially useful on computers that only have USB-C ports.
Best USB-C laptop docks
Although docks with a USB-C port are designed to connect to a laptop, that does not mean that we cannot use them on a desktop PC to expand the number of ports, which, in itself, is already very large.
UGREEN 5 in 1
If our needs are not very high, the UGREEN 5-in-1 dock is an excellent option. It is a USB-C dock that includes a USB-C PD port of up to 100W, 2 USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port and an HDMI port compatible with 4K output at 60 Hz.
Baseus Docking Station 9 in 1
One of the most complete USB-C docks that we can find on the market and that also has an excellent rating from users is this model from the manufacturer Baseus, a dock that covers all the connectivity needs that we may have.
It is a 9-in-1 dock that includes: 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, 2 USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-A 2.0 port, an RJ-45 port, 1 USB-C PD port with up to 100W of power, a reader of SD cards and a TF card reader.
NOVOO Docking Station 11 in 1
Another interesting option, if we are looking for a dock that has VGA output; a port that was used before the introduction of the HDMI port and that only sends the image, not sound; This is this model from the manufacturer NOVOO with the 11-in-1 USB-c dock.
In addition to the VGA port, it also includes 3 USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-A 2.0 port, a USB-C PD port with up to 100W, an RJ-45 port, an HDMI port with 4K output at 60 Hz, a card reader SD and microSD and a jack to connect headphones.
Belkin Dock USB-C 11 in 11
This dock has a design designed to be placed in the lower rear part of the laptop so that it takes up less space and, in the process, slightly lifts the equipment.
This model includes 11 ports, among which we find an HDMI port, a DisplayPort port, a VGA port, three USB-A ports, an RJ-45 port, 1 SD and MicroSD card readers, a 3.5 mm audio port and one USB-C PD up to 100W.
Baseus Docking Station 12 in 1
But if this manufacturer’s 9-in-1 dock falls short, the Baseus model we are looking for is the one that integrates up to 12 connection ports and that allows up to 3 monitors to be connected to the laptop where it is connected.
It has a USB-C PD port up to 100W, 2 HDMI 2.1 ports compatible with 4K at 60 Hz, 1 USB-C DisplayPort port, an RJ 45 network port, 3 USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port for data transfer. In addition, it also has an SD and microSD card reader and a 3.5 mm audio output and output port.
