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People often get confused between docks and USB hubs. Instead, used interchangeably, both these gadgets almost have similar functionality and appearance. Due to these similarities, choosing the best between the both gets a tad difficult. But they both are valuable in their way. When laptops lack ports, both these devices come to the rescue to extend their functionality. Despite looking similar, yet there is a distinction when it comes to the docking station vs. USB hub.
Let’s see what’s the difference between a hub and a docking station.
A docking station is a medium to connect all your devices, especially when you wish to convert your laptop into a workstation. When laptops have inadequate ports for adding an external monitor, keyboard, printer, or SD card, a docking station comes to the rescue.
When your laptop has minimal ports, the USB hub helps in expanding it. These USB hubs have only USB-A ports, connecting peripherals like keyboard, mouse, and flash drive. Nowadays, USB hubs are coming with variations like Ethernet ports, but prominently you will find USB-A ports and their upgrade.
Having two screens or external monitors amplify productivity, and that’s a proven scenario. When loaded with multiple tasks, switching between tabs becomes tiresome. In such a situation, having adual-monitordocking station comes in handy. In this, the vital difference between a docking station and a USB hub is that you can have multiple displays using the docking station but not with a USB hub.
Both USB hub and laptop docking station have one similarity that they boast multiple ports. A USB hub can have three or more ports, and a universal docking station for a laptop can have similar features. The only difference is the ports. The USB hub has a USB-A interface and all its upgraded version like USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2 etc. However, when it comes to the USB docking station, there are different ports like HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort™, USB-C®, etc.
USB hub helps in connecting peripherals like mouse, keyboard, or flash drive. On the other hand, a docking station helps connect an external monitor, peripherals, SD and Micro SD cards, etc.
As mentioned above, a portable docking station for a laptop plays a pivotal role in setting up a dual or triple monitor setup. Most importantly, the latest docking stations are so astounding that they support high definition (HD), 3D, 4K, and 8K resolution. Alongside this, they also support various screen modes, namely extend and mirror mode.
These modes are a boon to boost your competence. Extend mode helps in expanding your display, whereas mirror mode replicates your screen as it is. Despite these modes, your resolution remains unhindered and rich!
When it comes to the charging of devices, both USB Hub and docking station support the feature. The only difference is USB hub charges devices that use a charging cable with a USB-A connector like smartphones, tablets, or iPods. With a USB hub, you can opt for simultaneous charging of more than two devices (depending on the number of ports). On the other hand, a universal docking station helps fuel laptops and a smartphone as it has USB-C® PD charging port and USB 3.0 port, respectively. However, the count of charging ports is limited in a docking station as compared to a USB hub.
In this tiff of docking station vs. USB hub, connecting your musical devices to a USB hub is difficult, as it doesn’t have an auxiliary port. At the same time, it is a cakewalk in docking stations because majorly devices have an auxiliary port. It doesn’t matter if your laptop has an audio jack or no, but your universal docking station will have one.
Despite WiFi internet, organizations and huge enterprises still prefer using wired internet connectivity. The reason being the stability offered by the wired internet connection. However, not all laptops have an Ethernet port to avail wired internet. In such a scenario, a docking station helps immensely. Along with other ports, the docking station has an Ethernet port too. Some USB hubs are boasting an Ethernet port, but it is a rare sight. So, the preferred choice in such a situation is a docking station.
The winner in this altercation of docking station vs. USB hubs solely depends on the usage. We believe this blog gave you clarity about the device that you are going to need. If confusion persists, then Cadyce can help you with amassive rangeof USB-C® docking stations, or even USB-C® hubs. All these gadgets are equipped with the latest connectors, making them a must-buy. They bespeak vitality and quality because Cadyce pledges to offer the best to its customers. Powered by innovation, all devices are unique in style, performance, and durability.