Best laptop docking stations according to Reddit

Reddit mentions of Kensington SD5200T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station - 170 Watts with Power Delivery - Dual Monitor 4k for Mac and PC (K38300NA)

Sentiment score: 3
Reddit mentions: 4

We found 4 Reddit mentions of Kensington SD5200T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station - 170 Watts with Power Delivery - Dual Monitor 4k for Mac and PC (K38300NA). Here are the top ones.

    Features:
  • Thunderbolt 3 dock for MacBooks (OS 10.14 and later) and Windows (7, 8, 8.1, 10) laptops equipped with Thunderbolt 3 (Lenovo Dell HP Acer, Asus, MSI, Razer, and more); MacBooks with the new M1 chipset will only display to a single monitor due to Apple’s chipset limitations (see our part #K33620NA for a dual monitor solution for Apple M1 machines)
  • Supports 4K Ultra HD (4096 x 2160 30-bit color @ 60 Hz) to dual monitors or 5K 60fps to a single monitor; dock is not compatible with Thunderbolt 3 monitors;
  • Connect your laptop to the Thunderbolt 3 port (.5 meter Intel Certified TB3 cable included); connect your dual displays by using the DisplayPort++ 1.2 port with a passive DisplayPort cable to a DisplayPort display, and use a usb-c to DisplayPort or usb-c to HDMI cable in the second Thunderbolt port of the dock which will deliver video to a second monitor; if sending the display from the DisplayPort ++ to an HDMI monitor, a “passive” adapter or cable is required
  • Delivers up to 85W power (adjusts based on your laptop's needs) to charge your laptop, including 87W devices like the 15” Macbook Pro (windows laptops must be designed to support power delivery via Thunderbolt to provide charging); delivers additional power to run peripherals like hard drives, and for charging phones and tablets
  • 15W USB C port; Dual USB 3.0 Ports (one with a 2.1a charging port); Gigabit Ethernet port; 3. 5mm headphone and microphone jacks; Kensington Lock slot; VESA mounting holes
  • 3yr coverage and lifetime Kensington technical support
Specs:
ColorSilver
Height9.63 Inches
Length4.13 Inches
Number of items1
Release dateFebruary 2018
Weight0.7 Pounds
Width4.63 Inches
#17 of 240

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Found 4 comments on Kensington SD5200T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station - 170 Watts with Power Delivery - Dual Monitor 4k for Mac and PC (K38300NA):

u/unusual_algorithm · 2 pointsr/macsetups

I have one of these Kensington docks.

Works well but pricey. Does allow for a single USBC to power 2 external displays, charging support, etc.

u/GringoAteThePepper · 1 pointr/macsetups

There are others. I have a Kensington and it’s been great so far. https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-SD5200T-Thunderbolt-Docking-K38300NA/dp/B0785DQLZ7

u/igorp7842 · 1 pointr/UsbCHardware

TL;DR
I found a newer model Kensington dock after writing the post, so consider if/when reading

  • Great dock, has refresh rate limitations.
  • Works great with 2016 MBP W/TB3, whether booting from MacOS or Windows.
  • If anything use this as a guide for things to consider while shopping for a dock.
  • just cuz... THUNDERBOLT/TYPE-C CABLES MATTER! THEY MATTER SO MUCH!



    I use the Kensington SD 5000T (and recommend it)

    THIS IS A LINK TO A NEW MODEL, SD5200T, THAT SUPPORTS 2 DISPLAYS @4K & 60Hz!

    Kensington SD5200T Thunderbolt 3 Docking Station - 170 Watts with Power Delivery - Dual Monitor 4k for Mac and PC (K38300NA)


    I did quite a bit of research on docks a couple years ago and this one seemed to best the best because it didn’t over promise and under deliver.

    Display Outputs:
    It offers a DP++ and an extra thunderbolt 3 port (other than the input source), as well as many other inputs.

    Sounds like it would work well for you since it has a Type-C output as well as a DP output (either of which can be adapted to other ports like MiniDP, HDMI, etc.)

    Limitations:


    note: link to new model, SD5200T, which supports higher refresh rates, but still limits 60Hz to a given monitor.
    It’s a bit more expensive, so if the older model, SD5000T, is sufficient (eg. running two 1080p monitors @60Hz), you might be able to find it for less.


    Keep in mind that this dock (and almost all other docks and laptops in general) only support a max of 60Hz refresh rate that is distributed as follows:

    60Hz - to 2 displays @1080p
    or
    60Hz - to 1 display @4K
    or
    30hz - to 2 displays @4K

    Again, MOST (older) docks only support 4K @60Hz to a single display or 30Hz to two, as far as I know, even to this day. Some newer docks do but are more expensive.

    So... it’s not entirely future proofed with the refresh rate limitations, but the prices on these come down often making them a worthwhile purchase. I got mine for $190 2 years ago on a daily deal at B&H Photo Video.

    Higher refresh rates are only supported by running a cable (through DP only) directly from your computer, which should have a more powerful video card and software to support it, to the display.


    Latitude in limitations:
    You can still mix-n-match 4K & 1080p displays through the dock but the OS you’re running will automatically lower the refresh rate to what the dock supports. You can also set this up manually in the display settings.


    Machine Support:
    I would double check compatibility with all your machines. Also check to see if there are any new models which do support higher refresh rates.


    Testimonial:
    It works really well with my 2016 15” MBP.

    I don’t have any issues waking up the computer while it’s asleep since I have all peripherals (keyboard, wireless mouse, USB-A 3.0 hub, Apple LED Cinema Display [which has USB ports]), plugged into the dock.

    Some docks have an issue where if the machine is asleep, then the dock goes unresponsive and pressing the space bar or moving the mouse won’t wake the machine.

    I run both MacOS and Windows 10 on my MBP and it is fully supported my both. Since it’s the dock is advertised for the MacBook, it makes sense for it to work well with MacOS.

    I was very surprised to find that it works really well on Windows as well. All peripherals work well as well as the AMD software for the video card. Which means that if I got a monitor that supports AMD Freesync, it would be able to utilize the AMD software whether on MacOS or Windows.

    I had run an old 1080p @60Hz HP monitor via a Type-C to HDMI cable and a 1440p @60Hz BenQ monitor via a DP to Mini DP adapter, at the same time.

    That worked well while awake, but the BenQ monitor had some issues waking up after about an hour (< than that was fine), while the HP was fine.

    I couldn’t find the root cause in the settings of the BenQ, so I suspect it had something to do with the DP to Mini DP adapter AND that specific monitor, because I’m currently using that adapter for my Apple LED Cinema Display and it works really well.

    Apple LED Cinema Display, running 1440p @60Hz, DisplayPort also passes audio. No issues at all with this setup.

    Final note, CABLES MATTER!!!!!!!!!!! THUNDERBOLT 3/TYPE-C CABLES! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!

    Hopes this helps, again, I recommend the Kensington.
u/amasondev · 1 pointr/thinkpad

my work supplies us with these https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-SD5200T-Thunderbolt-Docking-Station/dp/B0785DQLZ7/
they work really well, super solid. only problem is they won't output the full 135W the P1 needs for fast charging. it should keep your machine topped though