Here's what you can use instead of a docking station

Ahmadiliandy/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover If you're looking to get the most out of your laptop, chances are good that the baseline number of included ports isn't enough to get the job done. One of the easiest ways to remedy this is to get a docking station. However, many of the best docking stations can be prohibitively expensive, and they might not suit your specific setup needs.

Thankfully, docking stations aren't the only port solutions on the market anymore. There's now a new contender: USB-C hubs, which cover many of the same bases as a docking station. Either can be a good way to organize your desk setup , but docking stations and USB-C hubs do have some fundamental differences. Which piece of tech is right for you will depend on a variety of factors, particularly what you're plugging in and where.

As colloquial terms, the definitions of "hub" and "dock" have become fairly blurred over the years, but when talking about USB-C hubs vs. docking stations, there remain a few key differences. One differentiator is size: Docking stations are generally bigger, often coming with a large number of ports, whereas a USB-C hub is smaller and lighter with fewer ports. The former is more centered around permanently transforming a desk setup, while the latter is designed for more on-the-go usage.

Power supply is the other big differentiation. Docking stations can plug directly into the wall, allowing the dock to provide power to external devices, while hubs tend to draw their power from the device they're plugged into. While externally powered hubs aren't unheard of, they aren't the norm either. Some USB-C hubs support power delivery passthrough, allowing them to charge accessories, but this can be quite slow unless you have a specialized hub.

Because they're designed to be more portable, USB-C hubs are also subject to the pitfalls of typical wear and tear. Compared to a stationary docking station, a hub is much more susceptible to things like debris buildup and internal damage from drops. Depending on how much you're traveling with it and how roughly it's treated, it might have a shorter lifespan than a dock. Despite their limitations, USB-C hubs can be a great option for users looking for more ports at their disposal, and their portability gives them a distinct edge over docking stations if you're not looking to plug in a huge amount of taxing peripherals.