What is the difference between port replicator and docking station

The Kensington only has a male serial port, so I wasn't able to plug in the monitor. I guess it depends on your monitor. Buyer beware. I guess my next computer will be a Toshiba Post Reply. Top Contributor. Dell Support Resources. Latest Solutions. Can't find what you're looking for? You can post your question in our community. Sign up now.

Instead of connecting peripherals directly to ports on a mobile computer, some mobile users prefer the flexibility of port replicators and docking stations.

A port replicator is an external device that provides connections to peripherals through ports built into the device. The mobile user accesses peripherals by connecting the port replicator to a USB port or a special port on the mobile computer. A docking station is similar to a port replicator, but it has more functionality. In addition, most docking stations will accept an Ethernet cable connection, allowing the computer to automatically switch from a wireless to a wired internet connection, which is often faster.

The drawback of docking stations is that a laptop must have a docking port on the bottom of the computer. Another drawback is that docking stations are not universal. There are specific docking stations for specific laptops. This can be costly when upgrading a laptop, as the docking station would most likely need to be upgraded, too.

The good news is that there is another option. Port Replicators offer the same functionality found in docking stations but are more universal. No, laptop docking stations are not really necessary. They are useful in that they provide additional ports, but you can achieve the same thing with a dongle.

No, USB 3. On another hand, you can't use USB 3. It simply won't charge. In all fairness to starg33ker, 90 watts is plenty to power all the ports on both a docking station and the laptop docked to it. Possibly the docking station has a dedicated video adapter that needs the extra wattage. Alternatively referred to as a universal port replicator , a docking station is a hardware device that allows portable computers to connect with other devices with little or no effort.

Docking stations enable users with a laptop computer to convert it into a desktop computer when at the office or at home. It's a pretty simple concept - it allows you to plug a lens into a computer and update its firmware or tweak its operational settings using Sigma's 'Optimization Pro' software. Slide the laptop onto the docking station. For horizontal "block"-style docking stations, line up the port on the back rear of the laptop with the plug on the docking station.

Press down to slide the plug into the port. For "book stand"-type docking stations, simply set your laptop in the stand facing forward. Universal Docking Stations. Universal docking stations turn the USB port of computer into a docking station connector. A single USB cable to your computer docks your portable device to support multiple display outputs, audio, Ethernet and other USB peripherals. A device used to quickly connect multiple peripherals to a laptop.