Laptop USB Dock & Charger

JuryWheel on 01/08/2025 - 15:23
Last edited 01/08/2025 - 20:12 by 1 other user

HI all, I need to get a USB dock/charger setup for work.

I'm wondering if it's better to get something like a refurb/used HP G5 dock, which will come with its own power supply for around $90-$100, or just get a decent enough USB dock from Amazon (~$20) and then buy a 65W charger for it (~$30). Half the price, not quite as much power (the HP does 100W but since the laptop comes with a 65W charger, I'm guessing that's its max anyway).

I'll have 1-2x HDMI 1080p monitors hooked up most of the time and need the dock to have ethernet and that's about it. Any suggestions? Just got the cheap route?

Thanks

Computing USB Charger

Comments

  • JuryWheel on 01/08/2025 - 15:51

    Actually, it looks like it will be more like $40 for the dock with ethernet eg https://www.amazon.com.au/UGREEN-Docking-Station-Ethernet-De…

    and then $32 for the charger (not including cable) https://www.amazon.com.au/UGREEN-Charger-Nexode-Compact-MacB…

  • Roman Sandstorm on 01/08/2025 - 16:07

    I have previously advised people on here to go with the refurb HP G5 docks.

    In my experience, they are rock-solid and have not given any issues with ~20 in my workplace.

    • JuryWheel on 01/08/2025 - 16:14

      do they always/tend to come with the power supply adaptor included? they dont seem to show it in the photos very much….

      • Davo1111 on 01/08/2025 - 17:22

        G5 docks have a sizable power brick, yes. Whether or not the person has it is a different question

  • Roman Sandstorm on 01/08/2025 - 16:21

    The first one I looked at on eBay, from 'bneacttrader' includes power supply for $90.

    I have purchased several off that trader in the past without issues.

    • JuryWheel on 01/08/2025 - 16:40

      Any idea how it goes connecting to a Macbook Air? Seem to see some mixed results… (this will just be for single hdmi monitor use at home). Thanks

      • Roman Sandstorm on 01/08/2025 - 18:05

        @JuryWheel
        I have never personally connected a G2 to a Mac. Some staff have brought in their personal Mac Pros or Airs, and they have not complained to me.

        But I would not be surprised if there were 'gotchas' involved.

        Apparently using two Display Port monitors is problematic on Mac OS, but 1 x DP and 1 x HDMI is OK.

        @Davo1111

        the usb cable cant be replaced and is intermittent.

        If it's broken I'm sure the trader will replace.

        BTW, the HP G5 dock is not necessarily superior to the G2. It is odd nomenclature.

  • Davo1111 on 01/08/2025 - 17:22

    i made a similar decision 2 nights ago.

    My understanding with a lot of these docks is that the usb cable cant be replaced and is intermittent. so it's a risk you take with a second hand one.
    I ended up going with a UGREEN usb kvm.

    • be aware there are 2 versions of the G5 dock, so there "might" be several G4 versions.
      https://www.hp.com/au-en/shop/catalogsearch/result/?q=g5%20d…
    • I tried a aliexpress kvm for a month, and i had huge ESD issues. so i returned that.
    • Be aware that power requirements for docks can be less than advertised. I have a coworker that has been through several HP docks.
    • JuryWheel on 01/08/2025 - 18:52

      Thanks - which one did you end up with? Have a link?

      • Davo1111 on 01/08/2025 - 18:56

        https://amzn.asia/d/56aZsZ0

        • kiitos on 02/08/2025 - 12:00

          Thanks for this. How had it been? Any problems?

          • Davo1111 on 02/08/2025 - 16:14

            @kiitos: based on the last 48 hours, none.

            Keep in mind that it doesnt have the ability to transfer video. so in my case i'm using a hdmi switch for the one monitor.
            I'm also using the laptop power cable to charge the laptop itself. (ie youll need 2 usb c slots)

            It's not ideal, but all good.

          • Davo1111 on 02/08/2025 - 16:22

            @kiitos: in all honestly, reading what you're trying to do, i wouldn't buy what i have. (If you dont want the whole dock setup, I'd just look at a usb c hub that can run all the peripherals. My use-case is that i have a personal desktop, and a work laptop. I want "some" cross use.

  • bargaino on 01/08/2025 - 19:51
    +1

    ACT has A-grade HP thunderbird dock with 120W PSDU for $52. bargain!!

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/195393164390

    • JuryWheel on 01/08/2025 - 20:01

      Good price but no hdmi

      • bargaino on 02/08/2025 - 02:30
        +1

        No need. DP to hdmi cable is cheap, and as good as a plain hdmi cable. You need active value for 4K .

  • awph on 01/08/2025 - 21:10
    +1

    I don't know what to get but I can tell you what to avoid. Since you mentioned the MacBook Air there are additional limitations you need to consider.

    1. No Mac computer support DP MST, which means you will not be able to connect more than one display to the dock unless it's Thunderbolt 4. M1 and M2 only support one external display, M3 supports two if you close the lid, M4 supports two without disabling the built-in display.
    2. Avoid DisplayLink and similar technologies at all cost, they waste quite a bit of system resources because the video signal is being compressed and sent over USB. Image quality and latency are inferior too.
    3. Dell WD15 can only do 4K 30Hz, WD16 and WD19 have noisy fans, avoid all of these.
    4. Avoid the Lenovo 40AY and 40AS, display output doesn't work at all: https://old.reddit.com/r/Lenovo/comments/txhaq0/lenovo_usbc_…
    5. The HP Thunderbolt G4 Dock apparently works pretty well but it has a fan too. I don't know if that one makes an annoying noise however.
    • JuryWheel on 01/08/2025 - 21:21

      Thanks for the tips - we'll only be connecting at best 1 monitor to the MacBook air but good to know!

  • The Hawk on 02/08/2025 - 10:01

    Something to be aware of if you buy some docks…

    I've got a Lenovo travel dock I was using for a temporary setup. As a dock it was fine but it "lost" about 20-25W when you passed power through it. So to get 65W out the other side you couldn't use the laptops stock 65W adaptor and needed something beefier.

    I initially just lived with slower charging but eventually had to just move to plugging the power directly into the laptop. If it was more permanent I would have hunted down a better dock.

    • JuryWheel on 02/08/2025 - 15:53

      Thanks for the info

    • Davo1111 on 02/08/2025 - 16:20

      my co-worker had the same issue with the HP docks and a powerful work laptop. The company went through several HP G4, G5 docks until they worked out a fix. It sounds like it's a common issue.

      The zbook my other coworker has requires an additional power cable to the laptop. But that's what happens when you squeeze what is basically a desktop cpu and beefy graphics card in a laptop.

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