Collection: Docking Stations & Hubs

How to choose a docking station or hub

1. Hub or docking station? A hub adds a few ports, usually USB and one HDMI, and is ideal for travel. A docking station is a desk setup: multiple monitors, Ethernet, more USB ports and laptop charging through the same cable.

2. Count your monitors. We carry single-, dual- and triple-monitor docks. Check the video ports (HDMI or DisplayPort) and the resolution each supports, such as 4K at 60Hz.

3. Check your laptop's port. Your laptop's USB-C port must support video output (DisplayPort Alt Mode or Thunderbolt) to drive monitors through a dock. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 docks offer the most bandwidth for multiple high-resolution displays.

4. Match the charging power. Pick a dock whose Power Delivery (PD) output, up to 100W, meets or exceeds your laptop charger's wattage.

5. Consider extras. Many docks add Gigabit Ethernet, SD card readers and audio. The StarTech KVM switch shares one keyboard, mouse and two monitors between two computers.

Docking station FAQ

Can a MacBook use two external monitors through a dock?

It depends on the chip. Base M1 and M2 MacBook Air and Pro models support only one external display over USB-C. Pro and Max chips, and newer models, support more. Check the dock's product page for macOS multi-monitor support.

Will a USB-C dock charge my laptop?

Yes, if the dock has Power Delivery and your laptop charges over USB-C. Make sure the dock's wattage is at least your laptop charger's wattage.

What does a hub's 100W pass-through mean?

You plug your laptop charger into the hub, and the hub passes that power through to the laptop while you use its other ports.