Universal Docking Station

[podspi]

Does anybody have any suggestions for a universal docking station? I'm looking for something USB based with video output (I'd like to use three monitors, built-in laptop, external laptop output, and the docking station).

Is something like that even possible?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Without some sort of compression (that makes them awful for displaying anything other than static content), you won't be able to get any more than 1 monitor connected to each USB 3.0 port. If there were a docking station with 3 monitor outputs on USB, it would be an abomination 😛

 

[Cerb]

I think that when you're at such a point, you should just buy a desktop, add a video card to it, and then share out a drive on one or the other computer.

 

[paperwastage]

lenovo has a USB 3.0 docking station (with 2x DVI output + USB 3.0 port multiplier + gigabit ethernet + audio)

kinda pricey - $180, buggy (according to amazon reviews )and might not be compatible with your laptop... someone on the amazon review got it to work on the surface pro

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...0&Code=0A33970

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPa.../dp/B008ABKADI

 

[podspi]

I think that when you're at such a point, you should just buy a desktop, add a video card to it, and then share out a drive on one or the other computer.

I agree, but sometimes we are stuck with things... This is a work laptop that I also want to work with the wife's laptop. I have a desktop, but that is a different duty 😀

lenovo has a USB 3.0 docking station (with 2x DVI output + USB 3.0 port multiplier + gigabit ethernet + audio)

kinda pricey - $180, buggy (according to amazon reviews )and might not be compatible with your laptop... someone on the amazon review got it to work on the surface pro

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...0&Code=0A33970

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPa.../dp/B008ABKADI

Hmm... interesting! The thing I'm really concerned about (and there were a few complaints) is the video quality. The USB port would only have to drive one -- the laptop has an output that can run a monitor.

 

[Cerb]

If the docking station would only have to drive one, what about getting the docking station made for the respective laptops? Most have good video quality, add more USBs, etc.. While it may not catch on (though I'm hoping it will at least catch on in non-Mac professional circles), Thunderbolt is really the ideal interface for what you want.