HP Docking Stations for Laptops
The Different Models of HP Docking Stations for Laptops
HP has created a name for itself, and the products that the company develops have been known to satisfy the needs of every computer user. HP docking stations for laptops are some of the excellent products that the company manufactured, and we will discover the beauty of these devices by discussing each one of them.
Docking stations are known to provide ease of use and comfort for an individual who has all his files and important data in a laptop but want to have a desktop environment while working. Since a laptop has limited connectivity options, docks are perfect for extending the functionality of these devices, as well as creating a real desktop environment or more like using an all-in-one PC.
One of the essential devices to create this effect is the HP Notebook Stand. This device does not have any ports or connectivity options, but it supports the notebook in a position that lets the user view it at an eyelevel, similar to a desktop monitor. Most of the time, the laptop has a docking station attached to its rear and is then positioned on the monitor stand.
Some of the docking devices used at the rear of the laptop are the basic and advanced docking stations from HP. The HP Docking Station is a device that is almost complete when it comes to ports and connectivity options. It has four USB 2.0 ports, DisplayPort connector, DVI port, VGA port, monitor stand port, Ethernet, audio in and out, serial port, parallel port, PS2 port, and a lock slot to secure the devices.
The HP Advanced Docking Station is like an upgraded version of the basic model because it has all the features of the previous model plus additional ports like two more USB ports, an additional DisplayPort and DVI connector, an Upgrade Bay which allows the user to add another hard drive or an optical drive in the system, and an eSATA port where you can use a separate external hard disk for additional back-up storage.
There are also examples of HP docking devices which are separated from the laptop and are only connected through USB cables. One of these is the HP USB 2.0 Essential Port Replicator. Basically, port replicators are those which are not docks but have several connectivity options. This model has five USB ports, audio in and out ports, and an Ethernet port. It also has a key lock for added security.
A more functional model of a port replicator is the HP USB 2.0 Docking Station. It may be called a dock but it is only connected through a USB cable. It has all necessary connectivity options and ports which include four USB ports, audio in and out, Ethernet, DVI port, and VGA port. It also has a security lock which you can use to prevent other users from utilizing the dock.
I recommend all HP and Compaq laptop users to utilize only original HP docking stations for laptops, since they optimize the functionality of these devices. I personally suggest using the HP advanced dock as it is the most complete of these docking devices, but I leave the decision to you and whichever preferences you have.