Thunderbolt 3 docking station recommendations

[actionresult]

I'm looking for a dock that will reliably work with my laptop and support at least two 1080p monitors (any combination of VGA/HDMI ports). I have read about many of them working unreliably so I'm asking if anyone has a personal experience of a good one.

My PC is HP Spectre x360 Convertible 13-ac0XX and it seems that currently the best one to suit my needs is the Plugable UD-ULTCDL. If anyone has a success story with it, please share

P.S. has anyone used HP Travel Dock for USB-C Laptops ?

 

[PeterFnet]

Just noticed that StarTech.com released a newer version of their Thunderbolt 3 dock. The previous one doesn't charge; the newer one charges with USB-PC up to 85 watts!


MSRP 404.99$
Amazon 329.99$


https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/~TB3DK2DPPD


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073JDZGKK?tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUwpUvbUpU3699818

 

[ttop]

Dell has several options available. Even a wireless option. Check out the D6000. I think it's the best option personally because of the 2 full size DP ports. Not a big fan of docks offering two different Video options (DP, HDMI, MiniDP, VGA, DVI etc) This works well with the XPS's, and it even works with the Surface using USB-C (Although you still need to charge with the Surface power adapter in this case.)

 

[Johnny_L]

Evrything you need:
https://egpu.io/external-gpu-buyers-guide-2017/

 

[SvenJ]

You know what's fascinating. I can plug my MS Display Dock (for 950/950XL) into my Dell XPS 15 (USB-C) and use the HDMI and USB ports on it. I have Dell's USB-C dock for the XPS, and when I plug the Lumia into it, it does charge, and the USB works, but the HDMI does not. So close. This isn't exactly on topic, but just an anecdote that shows the variations that can be found which may lead to compatibility issues. Might be one of the reasons Surfaces don't have USB-C yet. Too many potential support calls about things that seem like they should work, but don't.

 

[CampGareth]

My dock of choice is a Dell TB15 which I have added heatsinks to to get around its flaws. All told it cost me about £100 and is very well specced. It's able to supply up to 100W to connected laptops, it has two DP ports, one hdmi, one vga, plenty of usb 3 and 2 ports, ethernet, audio and a second thunderbolt port to daisychain devices. It's even pretty simplistic design wise so should work with most laptops. the video portion's all over DP with a converter for hdmi and vga so transparent to the host. Everything else is ultimately PCIE to USB so has drivers available. Only downside is it overheats badly but that's fixable, if it's beyond you though the TB16 is an option with a built in fan but it costs about £400 last I saw.

 

[Joe920]

You know what's fascinating. I can plug my MS Display Dock (for 950/950XL) into my Dell XPS 15 (USB-C) and use the HDMI and USB ports on it.

Cool, I was looking for examples like that. I have a ThinkPad coming in with Thunderbolt ports, and it would be great if I could us my old continuum dock at home, especially given the current TB dock prices!