Device Docking & Connectivity Products

There is no standard definition in the industry. Kensington defines docking stations and USB hubs/mobile docks as follows: While both expand your laptop's connectivity, they serve different purposes based on power requirements, port selection, and display capabilities.

Docking Station (SD Standard Dock)

A laptop docking station is designed for desk setups that require multiple ports, stable power, and high-performance display connections. It comes with its own power adapter, providing dedicated power delivery instead of relying on the laptop. Most Kensington docking stations feature:

• Extra video outputs: Supports DisplayPort™, HDMI®, and USB-C®/Thunderbolt™ video ports for multi-monitor setups.
• Expanded connectivity: Includes USB Type-A and USB Type-C® ports, Ethernet, and SD card slots.
• Stable power delivery: Ensures consistent charging for connected devices.

USB Hub / Mobile Dock (MD Mobile Dock)

A USB hub is a smaller, more portable solution for users with basic connectivity needs. If it does not include a power pass-through feature, it's considered a pure USB hub. If it includes a power pass-through feature—allowing you to use a USB-C® power adapter for pass-through charging—it is considered a mobile dock. Unlike standard SD docking stations, USB hubs and MD mobile docks do not come with a separate power adapter.

Key differences:

• No built-in power supply: Draws power from the laptop (up to 15W) in bus power mode or requires a USB-C® power pass-through adapter (use the laptop's USB-C power adapter or purchase an optional 100W power adapter separately)
• Basic port expansion: Adds extra USB-A and USB-C® ports for peripherals, typically with fewer video options than a standard docking station.
• More compact & travel-friendly: Ideal for on-the-go users who only need a few extra ports.

If you need a portable solution to expand USB ports, support basic video output, and are comfortable setting up power pass-through without a built-in power supply, a USB hub or mobile dock is a great choice. For full desktop setups with multiple monitors, high-speed data, and integrated power delivery, a Kensington SD standard docking station is the ideal solution. To understand the difference in more detail, visit this blog.

A DisplayLink® docking station (also known as a GPU-agnostic docking station) uses software-based compression to transmit video over USB, requiring driver installation. In contrast, a Thunderbolt™ docking station utilizes both PCIe and DisplayPort lanes, enabling plug-and-play data and video transfer without the need for additional software.

DisplayLink® Docking Station (also known as a GPU-agnostic docking station)

• Technology: Uses software-based compression for video transmission over USB. We recommend downloading the latest driver for your operating system at: https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/downloads
• Performance: Good for office work but relies on the CPU/GPU resources, which may impact performance.
• Data Transfer Speed: Typically, 5-10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen1 or Gen2). Some Kensington docking stations, like the SD5900T, combine DisplayLink® + Thunderbolt™ 4 for speeds up to 40Gbps.
• Display Support: Supports multiple displays. Kensington offers Dual, Triple, and Quad DisplayLink® solutions. Visit this site to learn more:
• Compatibility: Works with most laptops via USB-A or USB-C®.
• Daisy-Chaining: Not supported.
• Power Delivery: Up to 100W, depending on the model.
• Best For: Office setups, web browsing, and general productivity.

Thunderbolt™ Docking Station

• Technology: Uses both PCIe and DisplayPort lanes for high-speed data and video transfer. It is plug-and-play, requires no driver installation, and works best with Thunderbolt-enabled laptops.
• Performance: Faster, more reliable, and ideal for high-performance tasks.
• Data Transfer Speed: Up to 80Gbps bi-directional for data / 120Gbps for higher display bandwidth (Thunderbolt™ 5); up to 40Gbps bi-directional bandwidth (Thunderbolt™ 3/4)
• Display Support: Supports dual 4K or single 8K with no compression.
• Compatibility: Requires a Thunderbolt™-enabled laptop.
• Daisy-Chaining: Supported for additional device connections.
• Power Delivery: Typically, up to 100W, with some models reaching 140W for laptop charging.
• Best For: Creative professionals, gaming, and high-speed data transfer.

If you need a general-use laptop docking station that's widely compatible and supports multiple displays, a DisplayLink® dock is a great choice. However, if you require faster data speeds, zero-compression video output, and daisy-chaining, a Thunderbolt™ docking station is the better option.

Plug-and-play setup -- No drivers required; it uses DisplayPort™ Alt Mode to output video directly to monitors.

Up to 100W power delivery -- Charges your laptop and provides power to many of your connected devices. Typically includes a port for phone charging.

Multi-display support --Supports up to triple 4K displays on Windows and a single 4K display on macOS (due to macOS not supporting Multi-Stream Transport (MST) over USB- C®)

Fast data transfer -- Up to 10Gbps with USB-C® Gen 2 and up to 5Gbps with USB-C® Gen 1.

Cost-effective -- Typically more affordable than Thunderbolt™ docks.

Great for productivity -- Ideal for users with standard connectivity needs using USB-C Windows laptops.

If you have a USB-C® Windows laptop, this type of dock is a well-balanced, high-value solution for both home and office setups. Visit this site to find the USB-C dock that best suits your needs.

Cables used for Thunderbolt™, USB4, and DisplayPort™ video transfer fall into two categories: active cables and passive cables. The main difference lies in how they manage signal transmission over different lengths.

Active Cables: Best for long-distance and high-speed connections

An active cable has a built-in signal booster and/or video conversion ICs, allowing it to maintain full performance over longer distances. Ideal for:

• Thunderbolt™, USB4, and DisplayPort™ high-speed data transfer.
• Long-distance video connections that maintain quality are typically more expensive.
• Converting DisplayPort to HDMI®, VGA, or other formats (requires active cables).

Passive Cables: Best for short-distance use

A passive cable does not have a signal booster, making it best for shorter connections:

• Under 1m for Thunderbolt™ or USB-C cables and 2m for DisplayPort™.
• Lower-cost solution for basic setups.
• May reduce bandwidth over longer distances.

If you're setting up a multi-monitor desk setup or a Kensington docking station an active cable ensures maximum performance and reliability. For basic connections within close range, a passive cable is a simple and budget-friendly alternative.

Selecting the right docking station, USB hub, or adapter depends on your laptop's ports, external display needs, and data speed requirements. Here's what to consider:

Port Compatibility

• USB-C®, Thunderbolt™, or USB-A? Check which ports your laptop supports.
• A Kensington docking station ensures compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Chromebooks for seamless connectivity.

Essential Connectivity

• USB-A and USB-C® ports for a mouse, keyboard, USB headset, and other peripherals.
• If you need high-resolution external displays, a docking station with DisplayPort™, HDMI®, and USB-C®/Thunderbolt™ video ports is ideal.
• For wired network, choose a docking station with Ethernet support.

Display and Resolution Support

• Dual 4K, 8K, or multiple monitors? A Thunderbolt™ docking station provides seamless multi-display connectivity without performance loss. USB-C® Alt Mode docking station support up to triple 4K displays on Windows and a single 4K display on macOS (due to macOS not supporting Multi-Stream Transport (MST) over USB- C®)
• If your laptop doesn't support native multi-display output, a Kensington DisplayLink™ docking station allows multiple monitors over USB.

Data Transfer Speed

• Up to 80Gbps (Thunderbolt™ 5) or 40Gbps (Thunderbolt™ 4) is the best option for high-speed data transfer and multiple monitors.
• USB-C® with USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) or Gen 2 (10Gbps) standards works well for general use.

Kensington provides universal docking stations designed for seamless multi-device connectivity across Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Kensington docking stations support USB-A, USB-C®, HDMI®, DisplayPort™, Ethernet, and SD card slots, making them adaptable to various desk setups.

Kensington offers a variety of high-performance docking solutions, including:

• Thunderbolt™ 5 and Thunderbolt™ 4 docking stations designed for maximum speed, power, and multi-monitor support.
• USB-C® driverless docking stations that require no software installation, ensuring plug-and-play usability.
• USB-C® DisplayLink® docking stations that enable effortless multi-monitor expansion, ideal for hybrid work setups.

Visit this page to explore all Kensington connectivity solutions.