Docking Station for Surface book 2 28 February 2020 at 6:08PM in Techie Stuff 8 replies 41 views

sharhar

Hi, 
I have two laptops - one Surface Book 2 and another Dell Latitude. I want a docking station that could go with both. I'm tired of changing all cables when switching laptops. My Dell works with any standard usb-c docking station but not sure if surface book 2 will be able to cope. Obviously don't want to buy the standard surface dock as it can't be used with Dell. 

Does anyone use an alternate docking station for surface book 2 that you would recommend? Just wanted to get my facts straight before committing to buying anything. Can't find much info on any blogs or forums on SB2.

a

2 different manufacturers, 2 different interfaces and possible pin assignments, different firmware on each docking station.

However you could have just thought of the next multi-million pound venture for Dragons Den?

sharhar

Thanks for the sarcasm. Both of them do have a USB-C port which is industry standard. All I wanted to know was if any one is using a USB-C docking station with SB2 and how reliable it is. 

Johnmcl7

If you've not read this guide here it's worth a look:

https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/surface-book-2-core-i7-with-dual-triple-monitors/

I haven't used a Surface Book 2 with a USB-C dock but do use Lenovo USB-C docks at work which mostly are fine apart from issues with displays which I notice the author of the article above is a potential issue with using the Surface Book 2 with a USB-C dock.

Johnmcl7

a said:

2 different manufacturers, 2 different interfaces and possible pin assignments, different firmware on each docking station.

However you could have just thought of the next multi-million pound venture for Dragons Den?

You've clearly no idea what you're talking about as USB-C is a standard so it doesn't matter if it's different manufacturers, the interface is the same, the pin assignments are the same and the firmware is irrelevant.  What the OP wants to do is exactly what USB-C docking stations are designed for so they work with any other USB-C device rather than being tied to a manufacturer as has previously been the case.  I've had no issues using a USB-C dock with a single USB-C cable on a Lenovo laptop, Dell laptop, a GPD device and even works perfectly with my Android phone.

unforeseen

We have surface book 2s in work and they are used with a generic Targus dock via USB-C

sharhar

Johnmcl7 said:

If you've not read this guide here it's worth a look:

https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/surface-book-2-core-i7-with-dual-triple-monitors/

I haven't used a Surface Book 2 with a USB-C dock but do use Lenovo USB-C docks at work which mostly are fine apart from issues with displays which I notice the author of the article above is a potential issue with using the Surface Book 2 with a USB-C dock.

Thanks Johnmcl7. Exactly something I was looking for. Don't know why it didnt show up in my search results. Gives me some confidence. Looks like eventhough I can use USB-C dock for all peripherals, I still need to charge using MS OEM Surface connector which is OK. 

sharhar

unforeseen said:

We have surface book 2s in work and they are used with a generic Targus dock via USB-C

Thanks unforseen. I will have a look at Targus dock.

a

Johnmcl7 said:

a said:

2 different manufacturers, 2 different interfaces and possible pin assignments, different firmware on each docking station.

However you could have just thought of the next multi-million pound venture for Dragons Den?

You've clearly no idea what you're talking about as USB-C is a standard so it doesn't matter if it's different manufacturers, the interface is the same, the pin assignments are the same and the firmware is irrelevant.  What the OP wants to do is exactly what USB-C docking stations are designed for so they work with any other USB-C device rather than being tied to a manufacturer as has previously been the case.  I've had no issues using a USB-C dock with a single USB-C cable on a Lenovo laptop, Dell laptop, a GPD device and even works perfectly with my Android phone.

You must be right. On my docking station there is no way to fit anybody elses devices, not a snowballs....