Should you buy a Surface Dock 2 for your Surface Laptop 3?

Surface Laptop 3 15 Source: Windows Cardinal

Best answer: The Surface Dock 2 is an first-class choice and a much more modern option than its predecessor for expanding your Surface Laptop 3. Even so, with USB-C on hand, if yous'd like to save some money, Kensington has an splendid alternative.

Surface Dock 2 improves on the original

Microsoft equipped the Surface Dock two with the get-go-party Surface Connect solution for hooking up to various Surface devices, including Surface Laptop iii.

The previous model was getting a chip long in the tooth, but the updated dock is a much amend piece of hardware to buy, not least because it adds USB-C ports into its arsenal of connections.

The front of the dock has ii USB-C 3.2 ports, each with 15W of charging power for continued accessories. The back contains Ethernet, dual USB-A three.2, dual USB-C 3.2, and 3.5mm audio. The side of the dock has a Kensington lock slot for increased security in an office environment.

The rear USB-C ports are besides to power external displays, and the Surface Dock 2 is capable of powering up to two 4K displays at 60Hz. The only slight roadblock here is that you'll need either a USB-C equipped monitor or a USB-C to HDMI cable.

But these are small-scale faults, and combining the connectivity with the increased 120W passthrough to keep your Surface Laptop 3 charged also as powering all these added devices, you lot're in excellent hands with the Surface Dock 2. At present is besides a great time to pick 1 up since it's seeing some major discounts over its launch cost.

A more affordable culling

Kensington Usbc Dock Source: Kensington

Every bit expert as the Surface Dock two is, though, information technology's also quite pricey. The lack of Thunderbolt 3 on the Surface Laptop three is a bit of a disappointment, but every bit it has a USB-C port, you can connect upward an alternative dock and relieve a fleck of money. Luckily, there are a lot of cracking Surface Pro docks and docking stations available.

The Kensington SD4820P offers upward to 60W of charging back to your device to keep it topped up, plus yous get support for up to ii 4K external displays (admitting only at 30hz) if you're setting up at home or in the office. It's jam-packed with ports, including USB-A 3.0, USB-C, ii DisplayPort, HDMI, a 3.5mm audio jack, and Ethernet. There's also a Kensington lock slot if you like to be extra secure.

Non only is the SD4820P a little more affordable, but it has standard display outputs so that you won't need any new cables or adapters. You don't even give up the USB-C port, either, since it gives it back to you lot. Information technology's a standard-looking black box, simply as far as USB docks go, it's first-class value.

Updated Dock

Surface Dock 2

Add more ports to your Surface Laptop iii

With an updated port selection, better monitor back up, and increased charging power, the Surface Dock two is an fantabulous option for the Laptop ii.

More affordable

Kensington Usbc Dock

Kensington SD4820P

Power and enough of ports

If you're in search of a docking station with a brilliant selection of ports, the Kensington SD4820P is a wise choice.

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Keep your 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 safe with these great sleeves

Keep information technology safe

Go on your 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 safe with these bully sleeves

The Surface Laptop three is a stunning notebook that also has a fairly high price tag attached to it, so you're going to want to keep it prophylactic. Grabbing a good case or sleeve for the times you lot're moving around with your precious laptop will ensure it stays looking skilful and damage-free.