Category Archives: Docking Stations

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Review

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Upon the launch of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3, the company has undoubtedly and deliberately distorted the boundaries between a laptop and a tablet. This lighter 12-inch screen tablet  not only makes a great tablet, it also works great as a laptop. This device is definitely great for many of those who has really taken full advantage of Microsoft Surface Pro 3’s portability and flexibility. Considering all these, the release of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 Docking Station has most like to brought the seventh heaven that many users have always wanted. Know how and why through this Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Review.

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The docking station facilitates multiple possibilities in making the Surface Pro 3, Microsoft’s 3rd generation 2-in-1 tablet/laptop become a bona fide all-in-one device as it is now capable to serve as a desktop computer too. The device is able to connect with a mouse, a keyboard and a monitor, in which the Surface Pro 3 users can finally relish what computing enthusiasts desire: one single, powerful device to rule them all.

What are the best features of this Surface Pro 3 docking station?

A valuable aspect about the Surface is its high productivity, and succeeding the Surface Pro 3 device itself, mounting into the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Docking Station is indeed a mark of virtuosity as it is all about exhausting the possibilities of flexibility and increased efficiency. From a two-in-one device (a tablet and a laptop), this device instantly turns your Surface Pro 3 into a full-blown desktop PC, allowing the user an easy access to your external monitors, keyboard, mouse, printer, speakers, and etc. This latest version essentially has kept the same practical and functional design of the original Docking station which already has the ease and coziness in docking and un-docking the tablet into the device. It’s basically the same design with quite a number of improvements and one of the improvements noted on this latest model is the security lock slot that secures the docking station.

Another astounding highlight of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Docking Station is that is enables you to use external monitors which definitely boosts up work output. More screen means more things that can be done at a time. With the docking station, the user is able to run up to 3 screens. More so, it is almost entirely made from a thin, metal material which makes the size and the weight of this dock is just enough to carry it around (if you would wanna go mobile carrying this dock) and yet has enough density to hold its place and will not be moving around when you use other accessories like the keyboard or mouse.

PROS

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Durable built
  • Leaves the ports on the tablets uncovered (adds to the second mini display port and another USB3.0 on top of the many ports in the docking station)
  • A magnet along the left edge of the dock so users can hold the Surface Pen
  • Extends elegantly to the sides allowing the user place the Surface Pro 3 with ease and a slight push snaps right back to connect with the computer
  • Great viewing angle
  • Elegant and sophisticated design
  • Great amount of useful ports
  • Allows you to charge
  • Extends display to other monitors
  • Easy to use
  • Makes the tablet feel like a desktop PC

CONS

  • Viewing angle is fixed
  • No HDMI but has MDP (adapter may be useful for this)
  • Security lock slot only secures the docking station itself and not the device
  • A must have for those who have Surface Pro 3 but the price makes the whole package heavy on the budget

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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Docking Station

Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock Review

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Computer makers nowadays do not seem to be finding ways for availability of extra ports in designing their hardwares – an example of which is of course the Apple’s MacBooks (MacBook Pro and MacBook Air). What happens?  You’d happen to end up with two only a couple of USB port on a rather expensive computer, a single input for audio devices (microphones and headphones), the absence of Firewire 800 for legacy gadgets (example: portable drives, if you have one) and on top of that, no Ethernet Port.  Well be weary no more my good friend as Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock takes care of all those worries. Continue reading of this Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock Review to find out more.

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The Belkin Thunderbolt™ Express Dock is a simple yet indeed a formidable way to make the most of Thunderbolt™ technology. What makes it so awesome? It lets you use a single connection to create a super speedy, unswerving data transfers between your laptop and get you all the ports you need! Im talking aboout these: Dual Thunderbolt ports (one in, one out) line up with three super-speed USB 3 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, analog audio in and out, and a Firewire 800 port. All these in a convenient device that makes your life easier – couldn’t get any better!

Features of the Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock  that makes you go WOW!

With Thunderbolt™ Express Dock, you can get as much as eight cables become into just one cable. This means all of your drives, networking and input and output devices will be connected to 8 ports on the back – all of it, connecting to your laptop in one Thunderbolt.

The most direct product comparison for the Belkin Thunderbolt™ Express Dock is Matrox DS1. Just like the Matrox Unit, the Belkin Express dock also requires Thunderbolt cable. However, Matrox DS1 only has one Thunderbolt port and just one USB 3.0 although it features HDMI and DVI-D output. But genuinely, Belkin has notably a bit more flexibility and speed when it comes to performance. This is in particular to Firewire users, where in you will be able to chain a lot of Firewire 800 drives off the dock. It sure is more convenient to gave one less adapter to manage, one less Thunderbolt port on the computer tied up.

Another paramount performance that the Express Dock offers is that you really have no sweat in setting up anything at all. Once you plug it, its already good to go! It works as in a plug-and-play with not an inch of any device issues. More so, file transfer performance is exceptionally fast. Check this out: Thunderbolt™ moves data on two bidirectional 10Gbps channels. It’s 20 times faster than USB 2.0, 12 times faster than FireWire 800. And it means an entire HD movie transfers in 30 seconds. What could be more amazing than that?

PROS

  • Simple yet elegant design with a passthrough port for flexibility
  • Has FireWire 800, Ethernet, and 3x USB 3.0
  • Stunningly fast performance
  • No drivers needed – a plug and play device

CONS

  • Pricey – but the performance and features are worth the money 
  • The design looks really sexy and sleek but it needs a bit of a tweaking since the plugs are located at the back. Perhaps it is also for the purpose of not having too many wires in front or at the side – which sometimes makes your desk look messy.

Overall, if you computer doesn’t have enough hardware input/output options, then the Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock is perfect for you. Matrox DS1 is another option for under the same category but this device has only has one Thunderbolt port and just one USB 3.0 – on the other hand it adds both an HDMI and DVI-D output. Ultimately, Belkin is the best way to go, especially if the computer you are using is your main workstation.

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Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock with 1-Meter Thunderbolt Data Transfer Cable (F4U055qAMZ)