Please Recommend USB C Dock/Hub

ace310 on 22/08/2022 - 09:48
Last edited 22/08/2022 - 09:49

Have been looking for a usb c hub/dock for my Dell Latitude 7410 at home. I have narrowed it down to below 2 hubs for now, Please let me know your thoughts on them or if there is anything better out there which won't break my wallet. Hoping to buy during Aliexpress sale starting today if it is something like below.

My requirement
* Connect 1 2k monitor via HDMI. Preferably support 4k60hz for future, currently I don't have 4k monitor.
* 1G Lan (RJ45)
* Atleast 65w pd
* 1 or 2 usb ports

Another thing I am also looking at is hdmi splitter as I have a home server which mostly I connect via RDP/remote login but it's good to have a monitor connected in case I need to connect directly. Question, is it a good idea to connect the hdmi splitter to any of the above usb c hub and my desktop pc to easily switch between the systems? I understand I can't see both at once and don't need that anyway. Not into gaming but do watch movies on laptop once in a while.

Any thoughts on below hdmi splitters or any better out there?

Would have preferred Amazon AU, but they seems expensive than Aliexpress.

Thanks.

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  • Tmurder91 on 22/08/2022 - 10:09
    +1

    Also will point out that I've recently started The UN-official Cheapies Discord server discord and there is a channel dedicated to discussing tech recommendations (I'll be doing a mega forum post later this week with a summary of a bunch of curated suggestions for most things.

    Docking stations, hubs etc have not had too much attention yet, but this one here https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003141419814.html has been suggested as a personal recommendation from another user
    Seems like it might be a bit overkill for your needs though.

    Both cabletime and ugreen have come up as recommended brands for other tech though, so probably reasonably safe options

    • ace310 on 22/08/2022 - 10:11

      Thanks @Tmurder91. Yes that post got me all searching again to find a hub which is not an overkill to me.

      • Tmurder91 on 22/08/2022 - 10:15

        Hopefully later this week I'll have time to post some more hub recommendations.

        Ali express sale is tonight so I'm going to try and get the post done so people can take advantage of that sale at the same time

  • nzoutdoors on 23/08/2022 - 10:02
    +1

    HP dock Thunderbolt G2. RRP $380. Often seen on trademe price range $100-$250. Worth every cent. Work with anything I've thrown at it so far, including macs!

  • icecold on 22/08/2022 - 10:02

    It looks like those hubs in your post are both pass through PD, not integrated. You'd still need a power supply.

    For reference I have a similar setup in my home office. Works for both our Mac and Windows computers.
    Locally available so price isn't the sharpest.

    Satechi hub - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPSAC0004/SATECHI-Aluminiu…
    Satechi PSU - https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/ADPSAC3003/SATECHI-USB-C-Ch…

    I also fitted a USB-C extension cable to I could have the dock sitting at the back of the desk out of the way and to prevent the USB-C on the laptop from taking the weight of the hub hanging off it.

    Hope this helps!

    • ace310 on 22/08/2022 - 10:10

      Yes. I am aware of the PD pass through and so didn't mention in the post. I have a usb c power supply so it shouldn't be a problem. I believe the original 65w dell adapter should work? if not I do have 100w power adapter I can use.

      Yes, I have seen satechi hub, but they seems on expensive side.

      • Tmurder91 on 22/08/2022 - 10:14

        Yup, that orignal dell adapter should be fine. The discord has a lot of good recommendations on cheap cables and extra power adapters too just in case you needed anything else.

  • Tmurder91 on 22/08/2022 - 10:13

    As for your comment about being good to have a monitor connected just in case. My thought is that a server is typically headless and so theres no need to have any peripherals or display connected (in my case, I only have power and network.)

    Most people should be able to make do with 2 of these 3 options
    - SSH access via terminal
    - Remote VNC (basically remote desktop connection for linux)
    - web based pages for management of specific software

    If you can get remote VNC setup, then you can just use your computer and connect to it directly making your life easier

    if you are set on connecting the server to a display, perhaps consder just connecting the display to your server using the 2nd port, and using the monitors built in HDMI1 / 2 switching instead?

    • ace310 on 22/08/2022 - 10:36

      I don't have any issues with remote connection as I mentioned have RDP working fine and have Anydesk for accessing outside the network. This is only when I need to access bios or something which is not possible via remote access. I will use it once in a while so it's not urgent.

      Secondly, I don't have 2 hdmi ports on my monitor Philips 273v so no idea on how switching will work on it.

      • Tmurder91 on 22/08/2022 - 12:13
        +1

        ah I see, yeah an older model with only HDMI, DVI, VGA.

        For your exact setup, if you want convenience then yeah get a switch so you can toggle the input for your monitor.
        I can't see much issue with going for something very cheap either as its a basic FullHD monitor so nothing special

        Setup would be fine with what you described

        Monitor > HDMI Switch > Server
        Monitor > HDMI Switch > USB-C Hub > Computer

  • Everettpsycho on 22/08/2022 - 21:48

    I had similar requirements but wanted 2 1080p monitors. After a lot of considering options I ended up just stalking trade me and buying a pre-owned dell wd15 docking station for about $80. I knew the thing would work well as it's the models I had at work at the time and also knew it would do all I needed it to. They also came with power supplies which meant I didn't need to spend money on that as well. I actually ended up buying a second to tidy up or backup option for if we were forced to work from home again as it's just easier with a single cable to do everything. Both the ones I got we're in decent condition and it took a couple of weeks to see a by now at that price and pounce on it but I'm happy with the setups.

    • ace310 on 22/08/2022 - 21:54

      I have been lurking on trademe/fb but haven't found anything worthy. All docks I found where over $150.

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