If you think a docking station has something to do with a spaceship, you wouldn’t be totally off the mark – unless the docking station in question is actually for a computer! While docking stations are pretty neat and space age looking, they actually have nothing to do with space (sorry to those Star Wars fans who are reading), and everything to do with making it easier to use your laptop or notebook at home. Basically, a computer docking station is an accessory that you can use to quickly access your desktop environment for use with your laptop or notebook.
Before we go much further, let’s talk about terminology for a second. In terms of docking stations, the words computer, notebook and laptop are interchangeable, and can all be used to describe docking station equipment. Okay, now that the terminology is out of the way, on to learning how they work! Notebook docking stations work by allowing you to connect all of your accessories to one single unit, which then has a USB cable that can be plugged right into your laptop or notebook. Speakers, mice, printers and scanners can all be connected right to the docking station, as well as any number of other external devices.
Laptop docking stations (see, there we change up the wording but are still describing the same piece of equipment) are ideal for families who have multiple laptops in the home, but only one desk unit. By using a notebook docking station, each user can plug into all the accessories that make a PC so nice, without having to plug each and every one in – and probably running out of USB ports in the process.
Docking stations are also great for those who own both a PC and a laptop, and want to be able to use their accessories for both, without having to switch everything back and forth. Some laptops and notebooks require docking stations specifically designed for use with them, while others can be used with universal docking stations. The best way to figure out which one to use with your laptop or notebook is to go online and read up on the specs.
