docking stations

Docking stations and USB/Thunderbolt hubs are the unsung heroes of modern Mac workstations. While flashy displays and mechanical keyboards get a lot of glory in computer setup photos, it’s often a hub or dock quietly humming away that makes the whole thing possible — connecting multiple monitors, peripheral devices, external storage and audio gear through a single cable to the host computer. Here’s a roundup of the best-connected — and most impressive — Mac workstations from Cult of Mac‘s Setups section.

Anker’s new Prime charger lineup includes high-end docking stations, power banks, wall chargers and more to support all charging scenarios.

“With the future of work evolving, we wanted the Anker Prime lineup to evolve with it,” said Shaun Xiong, general manager of Anker Charging, in a press release Wednesday. “When we first introduced the Anker Prime line of charging devices, we wanted to provide high-quality, multi-port charging devices. These new desktop charging stations this year take that experience to the next level with highly flexible designs that are more durable, provide additional functionality, and use durable materials for wfh people and at-home use.”

If you want to transform a MacBook or iPad into a high-performance workstation, you’re going to need a USB-C hub to connect all your gear. And this 13-in-1 Docking Station with Dual HDMI is a great way to keep everything plugged in and organized.

If you need maximum connectivity but want to spend minimum cash, you’re in luck. Because a limited-time deal drops the price of this bestselling bargain dock to just $39.99 with code ENJOY20.

Released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch remains a popular hybrid gaming system that allows for play at home or on the move. While the device itself is familiar, accessories present new possibilities.

For a limited time, you can pick up a 3-in-1 Nintendo Switch Docking Station for only $19.99 (regularly $24). For that low price, you’ll gain a fresh experience with the gaming console you already own. This deal makes it easier than ever to improve your Nintendo Switch experience.

One thing we love about Apple is the staying power of its beautiful displays. We see the Studio Display maker’s much older Cinema Displays and Thunderbolt Displays used in modern computer setups pretty regularly.

Today’s MacBook Pro setup recently added a docking station to charge the laptop while connecting it to a classic LED Cinema Display.

Most Nintendo Switch users love that they can bring gameplay just about anywhere, and the right accessory can enhance that feature. For a limited time, you can pick up a discounted plug-and-play upgrade for your Nintendo Switch setup.

Grab a mini docking station for Nintendo Switch at the low price of $18.99 (regularly $24) with no coupon required. For the cost of a few energy drinks, you’ll be primed to pursue gaming adventures on a variety of monitors no matter where you roam.

Advanced computer docking stations keep getting better. The new Alogic Quad Display DV4 Universal Docking Station is a fine example, easily connecting up to four screens and several other peripherals to a computer.

That’s important for anyone relying on a laptop with limited ports — like many MacBook Pro and MacBook Air users over the years — who can appreciate a good docking station that broadens limited connectivity options.

Alogic’s new Quad Display Universal Docking Station delivers up to dual 4K and dual 1080p output for creatives and other professionals who need ample screen real estate in their computer setups.

To be precise, that’s four screens for Windows, while Mac users can connect up to three screens. In any case, the DUCDV4, introduced Wednesday by Alogic, connects your other peripherals and powers your laptop, too.

Every veteran gamer knows that for all the playability of the Switch library, the most significant feature of Nintendo’s flagship console is its versatility. For instance, you’re not just limited to the tiny screen. You can take your Switch to a friend’s house and put the action on nearly any monitor or TV.

Of course, that functionality isn’t without its challenges. And that’s precisely why hardcore gamers need this three-in-one Nintendo Switch Docking Station.

Ugreen’s latest multiport docking station — sporting nine ports for most workstation connectivity needs — is helpful in several ways, including if you want to extend an M1 MacBook’s external-display capacity from one to two.

The device also offers 100 watts fast charging plus fast file transfer via USB-A and USB-C ports.

Any modern lifestyle is reliant upon connectivity, whether it’s for personal or professional purposes. Rapid advancements in technology allow us to access information and communicate anywhere in the world — as long as we have the right gear.

Like, for instance, the versatile mbeat docking station. Able to simultaneously power up several devices and designed with 14 ports, it’s primed to provide a breakthrough in efficiency and make connectivity easier than ever.

For a limited time, you can score a 20% discount on the mbeat dock, dropping the price to only $199.99.

If you’re tired of collecting (and carting around) USB-C and Lightning adapters, you may want to get a multiport docking station that can plug into your device’s USB-C port.

Whether you want to use an old wireless mouse with a USB dongle, or need to add a second monitor to your setup, this 13-in-1 docking station could be your favorite new gadget. It it’s on sale for just $59.99 (regularly $70). 

If you want to truly take advantage of your iPad and/or MacBook’s many talents, you probably need a dock. You can add a very versatile tool to your computing arsenal with this limited-time discount on  13-in-1 docking station.

The USB-C hub is a dongle-killer — and it’s currently available for only $59.99 (regularly $70).

From phones and earbuds to laptops and tablets, we’re pretty reliant on our gadgets. While we can accomplish plenty with these devices, they can be limited by the number of ports they offer, and you won’t get far without a consistent power source. Normally $70, this MacBook and iPad-compatible charging station is just $59.99 during our Every Friday is Black Friday event.

If your laptop or tablet doesn’t have the ports you need, a multi-port USB-C hub can put an end to your connectivity problems. And if you’re looking for one at a reasonable price, this model by Tech Zebra is just $49.99 (regularly $70) during our Deal Days sale.

This limited-time discount is part of our Deal Days event, our answer to Prime Day, and it’s your chance to find incredible bargains on gadgets, apps and subscriptions. You can explore the full collection right here, but you’ll have to hurry. This sale only runs through October 12.

Why settle for a boring charging stand that is so big it becomes a permanent fixture on your desk or nightstand? This fast, space-saving charging station looks like something out Tron. It juices up three Apple devices at once, and folds flat so you can take it on the road easily.

The Charge & Fold 3-in-1 Docking Station will charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously. And while similar multi-device chargers can cost a fortune, this one’s on sale for just $35.99 (regularly $119).

The compact new Dell Dual Charge Dock is the first laptop docking station to offer a Qi-standard wireless charging stand for smartphones and smart headphones, the company said. And it supports dual 4K monitors, making it a solid choice for home and hybrid offices.

The new Plugable UD-3900C universal docking station is a reasonably priced means of “hot-desking” with Macs and PCs. That allows hybrid workers to easily connect and get right back on the job when they come back to the office, even if they always use a different desk.

Brydge has unveiled what looks to be a formidable, 12-port Thunderbolt 4 hub to expand your laptop’s connectivity. It’s the Stone Pro TB4 docking station. The only catch is you can’t get it just yet.

You may know Brydge more for its iPad keyboards than its docking stations. Recently Cult of Mac‘s Ed Hardy said the Brydge 12.9+ iPad Pro keyboard beats out Apple Magic Keyboard. But the new Stone Pro TB4 is one of several docks the company makes.

Kensington brought out two new USB-C hubs this week featuring up to 100W passthrough charging and as high as 4K 60Hz HDMI connectivity along with other features.

Redditor Parmg100 runs his M1 MacBook Pro with enough displays to make most Mac owners do a doubletake. He said he manages to connect five displays, including two ultrawide monitors. Naturally, Redditors showed some curiosity about how he does it, given the MacBook Pro’s limitation on connecting external displays.

Plugable introduced Tuesday a Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C docking station with a versatile 14 ports for MacBook and Mac users.

Built on the Intel Titan Ridge chipset, the TBT3-UDZ is not the first such unit to market, but separates itself from the competition.

Kanex is the latest to deliver a USB-C hub for the 2018 iPad Pro. The iAdapt looks like one of the better options for adding must-have ports to your tablet, and it neatly clips onto the side of your device to keep everything tidy.

You can preorder yours today.

A recent move into a new studio put my OCD on high alert. Determined to maintain a truly “clean workspace,” I wanted to avoid a jumble of cables slowly creeping across my new desk at all costs. A MacBook Pro dock definitely seemed in order.

For a sleek solution to any pending cable chaos, I added Henge Docks’ Vertical Docking Station for MacBook Pro to my desktop. So far, it’s the best solution I’ve found.

Check out my full video review below.

Tired of connecting and disconnecting a ton of cords and peripherals to and from your MacBook Pro? Product developer Veritas Forge certainly was, but unlike me (or you, most likely), these guys actually went ahead and invented something to solve their issues.