This pocket docking station turns your laptop into an entire workstation
We all know how the way things get done has changed over the past few years.
The new reality of mobile phones and work remotely created a range of products designed to enhance productivity whether we’re back in the office, permanently working from home, or constantly needing to move between both realities.
Also: This flip-out mobile monitor is my productivity secret weapon
One of the most important tools for adapting to life spread among multiple workstations is a dock for your laptop.
These handy devices take the job of plugging in five or six cables each morning and replacing them with a single plug. They also massively expand connectivity options for even the most port-efficient laptops. Unfortunately, they can be a bit bulky at times, meaning you can hardly fit them in your laptop bag.
Also: This $75 Dock Turns Your Mac Mini Into a Mac Studio (Sort of)
That’s where Accel’s USB-C Portable Multiport Adapter appear. What looks small enough to be a simple USB-C dongle can actually do pretty much anything a full-size laptop docking station can. Better yet, it’s portable enough to go with you whenever the need arises.
The multiport adapter handles a surprising number of devices at a high level, despite only having four ports. Those four ports include:
- 1 x HDMI and 1 x DisplayPort: This pair of video outputs offers a variety of configurations available (if supported), including a single 8K or 4K 120Hz display or a simultaneous 4K 60Hz display when both ports are used simultaneously.
- 1 x USB-A 3.1 Gen 2: This port provides data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps, making it ideal for external storage devices or media capture peripherals. However, it can also support any USB-A peripherals, including keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners.
- 1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2: This also supports 10Gbps data transfer and connection to any compatible peripherals. In addition, it offers up to 90W fast charging when plugged into a 100W power source.
Taken together, these ports are enough to support a dual-screen workstation with two 4K displays, a wired mouse and keyboard, and provide fast charging for smartphones, tablets, or even even your second laptop.
Also: This discreet dock turns my laptop into a full-featured desktop
Adding a secondary USB hub to a USB-C or USB-A port lets you expand even further, even if it adds an extra thing to plug in.
Of course, any decent laptop docking station will allow you to do all of this and maybe a little more thanks to its larger size and wider port selection.
However, where this product shines is its versatility. Not only can it act as the heart of a stationary workstation, but you can also take it out at any time to take it with you and help you connect a projector for presentations or a monitor in the office and other environments. Peripherals. You can even use it as a valuable backup tool in helping port-deprived laptops (like mine above) connect to almost anything.
This versatility is further aided by the Mobile Multiport Adapter’s compatibility with Windows 10 and 11, MacOS, ChromeOS and even Android devices, meaning it will work with almost any system. system you use.
Also: Is this the ultimate Windows docking station? Meet Accel Thunderbolt 4
If this sounds like a useful device to toss in your pocket or add to your desk at home or at work, you can pick up one right now at Amazon for under $100. (much less thanks to the $8 coupon available at the time of writing).