If you are looking for the answer to the question “can I use HP docking station for Lenovo laptop?,” you came to the right place. The shorter answer is “Yes, it’s possible.” You can connect both devices, but there are certain things that you need to consider before establishing the connection. Let’s discuss these factors as well as the method to connect both devices in detail to have a holistic overview of the entire process.
Hub Vs Docking Station?
First of all, get it thoroughly confirmed that do you really need a docking station? Maybe a hub can best fulfil your demands.
Hubs give you the liberty to connect or recharge other peripherals by connecting the number of ports on your laptop. They act more like power strips for your PC.
While the docking stations transform your laptop into a desktop by being plugged in to the wall. It’s more like adding a second engine to your computer.
However, if you finally reach the conclusion that docking station is the device that can best cater to your needs, then consider the following factors while setting up a docking station with a laptop.
Check the compatibility
It is pertinent to mention here that not all the HP docking stations show compatibility with all Lenovo laptops. Like if you own an older HP docking station, then it’s quite possible that it might not support your newer Lenovo laptop.
Secondly, even if you managed to establish a connection between an HP docking station and a Lenovo laptop. There still exists a possibility that you will not be able to access all the features of the docking device. This happens as several HP docking stations come with specific connectors that only function with the HP laptops.
The good news is that you can still make use of docking station’s basic features such as recharging your Lenovo laptop.
Identify the Product Number
A product identity number used to check the compatibility of a PC with a specific docking station. However, universal docking stations are well-optimised to connect with any laptop that carries a USB 3.0 port.
If your workstation only supports USB-C, then most probably you will need an adapter for keyboards, gaming microphone, and HDMI-enabled monitors.
Types of docking stations
Broadly speaking, five types of docking stations are available now in the market.
1. Expansion Docks
This sort of docking station comes in handy when you’re aiming for the hardware expansion of your laptop. For instance, these docking stations can be used as external storage drives, cooling radiators, GPUs and more.
2. Port Replicator Docks
Port replicator docking stations share the similarity with a bundle of extension cables. But port replicators come with an added functionality of plugging in and unplugging altogether with your laptop. Most of the time, these docks duplicate ports from the PC to get easy access to the existing ports of the device which include audio jacks, SD cards, and external displays.
3. Breakout Docks
Breakout docks function as an extension to typical port replicator docks. These docking stations offer additional ports in addition to replicating the existing ports on the laptop PC. Modern PCs carry a special proprietary connector which acts as a consolidated device for the signals received from many concealed traces via onboard external buses.
This phenomenon allows the docking station to offer you a greater number of docks than what is physically available on the computing devices. This eventually permits the basic unit to provide users with extensive features of its motherboard despite owing fewer physical ports.
4. Proprietary Docks
These docking stations can produce multiple connections from a single port, the same as breakout docks do. The only difference is that instead of extracting the connections from the internal chipsets as is the case with breakout docking stations, proprietary docks create the connections inside themselves by using connectors.
Proprietary docking stations are functionally similar to a hub, featuring various connectors plugged in. These docks are usually meant for the specific models of notebook. Most of the time, proprietary docks come with a wired internet connection, dual displays, and a number of USB connection options.
5. Universal Docks
Universal docking stations show the same functionality as proprietary docks, but these docks offer endless combinations. For instance, Universal docks can create multiple connections from one port. The only difference exist is that Instead of producing the connections from internal chipsets, they establish them inside the dock using convertors.
Most of the universal docking stations are mostly either USB-C based, or Thunderbolt-3 based. This type of docking station incorporates several connectors which includes but not limited to full external GPUs, storage enclosures, and modems. Because universal docks are not vendor specific, these docking stations support external device charging and show more flexibility in terms of installation.
HP docking station connection with the Lenovo Laptop
HP docking station can be used with a vast range of laptops from distinct manufacturers. Both USB-C and thunderbolt-enabled laptop PCs can be connected with the HP docking stations, all becomes possible with the universal design of the dock. In addition, you can add up to three displays to the HP docking device, thanks to the built-in displays available on the dock.
In order to connect a Lenovo laptop with the HP docking station, make sure that the docking port on the laptop must be either Thunderbolt 3 or 4 supported. Plus, it must be connected to a power delivery port via USB Type-C.
Wrapping It Up
For the people who use their laptops for work, a docking station may prove to be quite beneficial. Because a dock can impart to you a desktop experience without needing you to pour extra money into the purchase of a larger computer. Furthermore, it makes your desk look cleaner by cutting down the number of cables needed for the attachment of multiple devices.
If you correctly follow the tips mentioned in the article, we can securely say that you will successfully be able to connect your Lenovo laptop with the HP docking station to elevate your user experience.
