MacBooks are Apple ’s better - sell Macs for good reason : They offer fantabulous carrying out and they ’re built for travel . move are the twenty-four hours of a lesser - power laptop computer that complement a more powerful desktop Mac . MacBooks are a user ’s primary computer and that MacBook can double as a desktop Mac at your home or employment desk .
That MacBook setup at your elementary work positioning can be elaborate , with international storage devices and displays , charging station for your iPhone and Apple Watch , talker , microphones , camera , and more . In that case , even the MacBook Pro likely does n’t have enough ports to join all your gear . That ’s where a tying up post comes in , providing extra port and simplifying the connexion cognitive process when you return to your desk .
And there are other benefits to them . If you ’re not sure if you take a tying up post , here are five reasons why you should get one . If you do resolve that you require one , see to it our lean of thebest Thunderbolt and USB - C docking Stations of the Cross for your MacBook . Our guide will help you picture out whether you want a loading dock or a hub ( yes , there ’s a divergence ) , explain the specifications to look for , and commend products for you to turn over .
Need more ports? You can get plenty from a dock, perhaps even more than you need.
Extra ports for all your stuff
The MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt / USB - hundred 4 ports . The MacBook Pro is more flexible , with up to three Thunderbolt / USB - C 4 ports , an HDMI interface , and an SDXC Card time slot . All MacBooks have a 3.5 millimetre sound jackass . Those port might be enough when you ’re work remotely but you belike demand more when you ’re at your desk . ( See ourdefinitive usher to the ports on your Apple devicesif you want more particular on the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro interface . )
Need more ports ? you may get plenty from a dockage , perhaps even more than you ask .
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Need more ports? You can get plenty from a dock, perhaps even more than you need.
A docking station supplements your MacBook with more interface – some docks offer more embrasure than you ’ll ever ask . Need more USB - C port ? USB - A ? Thunderbolt ? HDMI ? It ’s light to feel a dock that offers these ports . you could even discover pier with ethernet , DisplayPort , audio jack , lineup reader , and more .
If you have an external display , external memory board devices , a pumped up web connection , a camera , an all - in - one , high - end speakers , and even your iPhone , and you need more port to connect them all to your MacBook , a dock is a great investment .
Multiple external displays
For owner of a MacBook with a al-Qa’ida M1 , M2 , or M3 microprocessor chip ( and likely future base M chips ) , this might be a more important reason than having more ports . The M1 and M2 MacBooks and the M3 MacBook Pro support only one external display , while theM3 MacBook Air can run two displays but the the laptop has to be shut down .
A docking station can allow you to connect more displays . You ca n’t get just any dock , however ; it must support DisplayLink or InstantView , which requires their related software drivers to be installed on the MacBook . The two engineering have restriction , such as non - optimized performance or the inability to display protect content from streaming service . Learn and InstantView .
Some docks , such as the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station , have technology that allows a base M - series MacBook to run more than one external presentation .
Some docks, such as the Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, have technology that allows a base M-series MacBook to run more than one external display.
Satechi
However , if you use your external displays mostly for productivity role , using a dock can be a feasible resolution . See our recommendations for MacBook multiscreen dock . you could alsolearn more about connect two or more international display to a M1 , M2 , or M3 MacBook .
Plug and play ease
If you already utilise every port on your MacBook when you ’re at your desk , you have to disconnect them all when you want to go work remotely . Then when you hark back to your desk , you have to plug all that gear back in . Sure , this may be a trivial tasks that do n’t take up a bunch of time , but it is a hassle , and all that disconnect and plugging in causes wear and displume on your overseas telegram , cable television service connectors , and the MacBook port .
With a dock , everything chaw into it , and you have one cable’s length that plugs into your MacBook . That ’s it . When it ’s clip to go , only one cable needs to be unplugged . When you return , only one cable needs to be secure in . It ’s no longer a dogfight , salvage time , and issue down on wear and rip .
Dedicated charging stations
I just covered how everything secure into a bob – that can include courser for your iPhone , iPad , Apple Watch , AirPods , and anything else , include the MacBook itself . orchard apple tree chargers touch base to a USB - C cable length , and with a dock , you may disconnect those chargers from the paries socket , put them forth , and then plug the USB - C charge cable into the dock . If you ’ve been plugging those USB - C cables into the MacBook , stop up it into the dock rather .
Docks have a powerfulness cable that plugs into power , so it can provide all the energy needed to charge your gimmick . With just the dock plug in , it ’ll free up sockets on your surge protector ( you are using a spate protector , right ? ) .
Ethernet support
MacBooks ( and most microcomputer laptops ) do n’t have an ethernet port . Most citizenry do n’t need it . But if Wi - Fi is too inconsistent and slow for your needs , you probably rely on a pumped ethernet web connector .
Instead of get a USB - to - ethernet adapter , get a loading dock that has an ethernet porthole . The bob itself is your arranger and you could plug away your cable into the dock . Many docks bid Gigabit Ethernet ports that supports to 1 Gbps and are some .
Some docks have an ethernet port for connecting to a pumped-up meshing .
Some docks have an ethernet port for connecting to a wired network.
Mark Hachman / IDG
You ’ll find other feature of speech in docks that could be beneficial : KVM ( keyboard , video , shiner ) switch , surety feature article and Kensington locks , support for elderly ports , storage bays , and more . A docking place is such a great investment , even casual Mac users can line up a reasonableness to get one . If you need supporter finding a dock , check out our list of thebest Thunderbolt and USB - C moorage post for your MacBook .
