Best Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Docking Station in 2019
Source: Windows Central
Best Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Docking Station Windows Central 2019
Laptops and tablet hybrids like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga are awesome, but docking stations can allow you to blow up their displays on a larger monitor and also add more ports for peripherals, which can increase productivity in the home environment significantly. There are tons of docking stations out on the market, and all of them offer basics such as ethernet ports and audio jacks, but some docks are better than others based on how many USB ports they offer, how well they support external displays, and whether or not they can charge your device. Out of all the docks available, we think the best overall one is the CalDigit TS3 Plus because of its incredible selection of ports, ability to be connected with up to two 4K displays, and powerful charging.
Best Overall: CalDigit TS3 Plus
Source: Windows Central
If you want the absolute best of the best, you can’t beat the CalDigit TS3 Plus. Equipped with two Thunderbolt 3 ports as well as a whopping seven USB ports, five of which are USB-A 3.0 (two are USB-C 3.1, one Gen-1 and one Gen-2), this dock gives you a massive amount of freedom to connect a ton of different peripheral accessories and devices. On top of that, it also supports up to two 4K displays at 60Hz, or alternatively one 5K display at 60Hz. Finally, the dock offers 85W of charging power, and the secondary Thunderbolt 3 slot can put out 15W charging as well. It’s pricey, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Pros:
- Best port selection.
- Great support for external displays.
- Excellent charging capabilities.
- Two Thunderbolt 3 slots.
Cons:
- Very expensive.
Best Overall
CalDigit TS3 Plus
The best there is
Though it is extremely pricey, the absurd quality of the CalDigit TS3 Plus is more than worth the price.
Best High-End Alternative: HP Thunderbolt Dock G2
Source: Windows Central
The HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 is a great alternative to the CalDigit TS3 Plus if you’re okay with trading some ports for a lower price and the addition of a speaker. There’s only one Thunderbolt 3 port and five USB 3.0 ports instead of seven, which limits your peripheral connectivity a bit. However, it does have support for dual 4K 60Hz displays, is capable of 100W charging, and also has a functioning speaker. If you want high-end capability for a lower price than the CalDigit dock, or if you simply have a good use for a speaker, than this device will be great for you.
Pros:
- Good port selection.
- Great support for external displays.
- Superb charging capabilities.
- Functioning speaker.
- One Thunderbolt 3 slot.
Cons:
- Super pricey.
Best High-End Alternative
HP Thunderbolt Dock G2
Less ports, but you get a speaker
The HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 is excellent if you want to trade some ports for a speaker and a lower price.
Best Mid-Range: WAVLINK Universal Laptop Docking Station
Source: WAVLINK
The WAVLINK Universal Laptop Docking Station will be perfect for you if you’re after a well-rounded dock that’s on the affordable side. Like the CalDigit TS3 Plus, it comes with seven USB ports, although only five of them are USB 3.0 (and one of those is the unorthodox USB-B). The other two are USB 2.0, which still works decently, but offers slower data and power transfer than USB 3.0. The dock also doesn’t have any Thunderbolt 3 or charging to speak of, and is quite boxy in design. However, the dock does support dual 1900×1200 displays. At the price it goes for, this dock is quite a steal, even if the port selection isn’t as grand as pricier options.
Pros:
- Good port selection.
- Good support for external displays.
- Excellent price.
Cons:
- Some ports are USB 2.0.
- No charging.
- No Thunderbolt 3 slots.
- Large, boxy design.
Best Mid-Range
WAVLINK Universal Laptop Docking Station
Middle of the road
With its awesome price and solid offerings, this dock is the perfect mid-range choice.
Best for Multiple Displays: Dell D6000
Source: Dell
If you want to use more than two monitors, this dock shouldn’t be overlooked. Unlike every other option on this list, it’s capable of supporting three 4K displays at once. Two of them can be 60 Hz, but the third will have to be 30Hz. On top of that, the dock also comes with four USB-A 3.0 ports as well as a single USB-C, and the device supports 65W charging. Going with the Dell D6000 means missing out on Thunderbolt 3 and the incredible number of ports that a dock like the CalDigit TS3 Plus offers, but if you want to save some money or just want to use more than two displays, this is the dock to go with.
Pros:
- Good port selection.
- Best support for external displays.
- Great price.
- Solid charging.
Cons:
- No Thunderbolt 3 slot.
Best for Multiple Displays
Dell D6000
Three 4K screens at once
If you’re after the best possible dock for more than two displays, this dock will be right up your alley.
Best Security: Kensington LD5400T
Source: Windows Central
If you want something that can keep your device secure and safe while it’s hooked up to the dock, check out Kensington’s high-quality, high-price LD5400T offering. The arms of the dock clamp your laptop in place, and you can keep the dock itself in position with either screws or a tether that’s included with the dock. On top of the security features, the dock also has support for dual 4K 60Hz displays, four USB-A 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt 3 slots, and 85W of charging. This makes it a high-end choice that will be perfect for users looking to both significantly increase their productivity and keep their device safe with rock-solid security.
Pros:
- Good port selection.
- Great support for external displays.
- Great charging.
- Two Thunderbolt 3 slots.
- Rock-solid security features.
Cons:
- Super pricey.
Best Security
Kensington LD5400T
Keep it under wraps
The Kensington LD5400T is perfect if you want a dock with high-quality features and security.
Best Budget: Baseus Laptop Docking Station
Source: Baseus
If you don’t have a lot to spend on a laptop dock but still want something solid, the Baseus Laptop Docking Station is an amazing choice. It supports up to a single 4K 30Hz display and has three USB-A 3.0 ports as well as a USB-C port, and the dock is even capable of putting out 87W charging. It lacks an audio port (as well as port quantity in general) and also doesn’t have Thunderbolt 3 or support for multiple displays, but at the price it’s sold for, those things aren’t expected anyway. It’s also the most compact dock on this list, which will be ideal for people who want to take their setup with them on travels.
Pros:
- Decent port selection.
- Good support for an external display.
- Excellent charging.
- Compact size.
- Incredible price.
Cons:
- Lack of ports overall.
- No audio jack.
- No Thunderbolt 3.
- Can’t support multiple displays.
Best Budget
Baseus Laptop Docking Station
Small price, big value
This dock is fantastic if you’re on a budget, as it offers plenty of quality in an affordable package.
Bottom line
Laptop docks are an extremely useful accessory for devices like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga, as you can use them to expand your device’s port selection, transfer the laptop’s screen to a larger display, and even charge your device, provided the dock in question supports it. They often cost a lot, but they also bring immense value to the table, making them more than worth it in many cases.
There are a ton of different laptop docks out there, and each one (including the ones on this list) offers something different that will appeal to different people, depending on what they want or need. However, when it comes to the best overall dock, we think that the CalDigit TS3 Plus takes the cake. Though it is incredibly expensive, it also offers a crazy amount of ports, including two Thunderbolt 3 ones, and it also has fantastic charging capabilities and support for two 4K displays. A combo like that is incredible, and while the dock is very pricey, you get what you pay for and then some.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s relatively new to the writing scene, but he counters that lack of experience with a rock-solid work ethic and a desire to improve at every opportunity. You’ll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.
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