If you're wondering how to effectively work from home, here's everything you need to know, especially about the best docking stations to boost the functionality and productivity of your remote workspace.
Benefits and Value of Working from Home
Working from home has become a trend, whether for health reasons, company policy shifts, or other factors. In early 2020, the number of remote workers in the United States surged 159% from early 2019. Many companies are recognizing that remote work is not only beneficial for employees, but also for the company. The benefits include:
Cost benefits: Remote work reduces costs for both the company and the employee. Companies can reduce utility bills and office supplies, while employees can save money on gas, coffee, and dining out.
Environmental benefits: According to Global Workplace Analytics, remote work took 600,000 cars off the road in 2019, and that number continued to grow in 2020.
Public safety: Especially in the context of current health issues, remote work can help prevent business closures while slowing the spread of infectious diseases.
Improved morale and productivity: Remote workers generally feel less stressed, more productive, and more satisfied with their jobs. Their bosses also confirm that remote workers are often more productive.
Of course, working from home is more about not only being able to enjoy a comfortable environment while working, but also being able to fully customize your workspace to reflect your personal work style.
Docking stations: a key tool for remote productivity
A docking station is a small device that allows you to enjoy the desktop experience without a second device. Simply dock your laptop and connect the required peripherals such as a monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc. This way, you can use your desktop monitor and keyboard for work while still using your laptop for other tasks.
A docking station is ideal for professionals who have a work laptop or a personal laptop that they bring to work every day. Instead of connecting each peripheral to your laptop every time you are in the office, you can just connect them all to the docking station once. From now on, you can bring your home office setup to life with just one cable connected to your laptop.
Here are the top three best docking stations for remote productivity that can help you achieve a more efficient and comfortable work-from-home experience.
1. DS018R Thunderbolt™ 3 Dual 4K Docking Station
Need a powerhouse? The DS018R Thunderbolt™ 3 is your ideal docking station. With over 13 different ports, you can connect monitors, hard drives, mice, keyboards, audio components, SD cards, external hard drives, and more. You’ll enjoy plug-and-play installation without needing drivers or downloads. Simply connect your peripherals, and you’re good to go.
Designed for Thunderbolt™ 3 laptops and Ultrabooks, it plays well with both Windows and MacOS. That makes it versatile across different industries, from software developers to graphic designers and anyone else who has a Thunderbolt™ laptop.
But there are other reasons why we love this Thunderbolt™ 3 docking station. When you need to get more done faster, we think you’ll appreciate:
。13-Ports of productivity
。40Gbps data transfer speeds – that’s a 4K movie in 30 seconds or a year’s worth of continuous MP3s in just five minutes
。60 watts of power delivery for charging your Thunderbolt™ 3 laptop
。Dual 4K video output @ 60Hz (or single 5K @ 60Hz) for true-to-life images
。2.1A of USB power for charging mobile devices like your cellphone
。Built-in SD Card reader
2. The HBC077 USB-C 5Gbps Single 4K Docking Station
Sometimes bigger isn’t better – especially when desktop real estate is limited. The HBC077 USB-C Docking Station packs six different ports into a cube that fits in your palm.
If you’re not in the know, USB-C is a specific type of USB connector found in many newer models of MacBooks, Chromebooks, and Windows laptops. Unlike previous USB connectors, it’s capable of transmitting data and power on a single cable. It’s robust, efficient, and – best of all – flippable. Say goodbye to jamming your USB connector into the port, trying to figure out which way it goes.
The HBC077 takes advantage of USB-C to create a more compact docking station with fewer cables. In addition, you’ll get:
。6-Ports of productivity
。5Gbps data transfer speeds
。60 watts of power delivery for charging your UCB-C laptop
。Full compatibility with Windows, MacOS, and Chrome OS
。Single 4K video (choose between HDMI or DisplayPort++ video connections)
Zero footprint mounting allows you to mount the dock to any 75mm or 100mm VESA-compatible external display
3. The DS009 5Gbps USB 3.0 Dual 4K Docking Station
For professionals working from home that need to accommodate an older laptop that’s still not using Thunderbolt™ 3 or USB-C, DS009 is the answer for a truly powerful desktop setup. With a 9.8ft USB-A host cable, you’ll have the flexibility to position the docking station anywhere you need it.
The DS009 comes compatible with Windows 7 and above, MacOS 10.14 and above, and Chrome OS 44 and above, making it versatile if you’re running any of these operating systems. Anyone running a USB 3.0 laptop, Ultrabook, tablet, or monitors that support 4K will find this docking station ideal. You can also take advantage of:
。12-Ports of productivity
。5Gbps data transfer speeds
。An independent power switch to turn it off completely when not in use
。Single or Dual 4K (4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz) monitor support
。2.4A of USB power for charging mobile devices like your tablet or cellphone
Stay Connected with Solutions from Kensington
You might be out of the office, but with a docking station from Kensington, you’ll stay productive. With any of our docking stations, you’ll enjoy transforming your remote office into a productivity powerhouse that helps you get everything done in comfort.
Whether you’re traveling or working from home, you can elevate your remote workstation with a docking station that supports all your accessories in one powerful, hassle-free device.
