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Lower mid-range laptop with docking capabilities

pythonmegapixel
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Due to *ahem* current circumstances, I've obviously had to spend a lot of time at home over the past year, and I've decided I really like working on a docked laptop. However, my current setup is very clunky - too much stuff has to be plugged in separately because my laptop doesn't support a proper docking station.

 

So here's a list of my requirements

  • Around £500-£700 in the UK, preferably NOT Amazon or Curry's
  • Screen size 13-14 inches
  • Supports a docking station (I have no problem buying this separately if reasonably priced) - see list of what needs to be plugged in below
  • Must boot off an SSD - it doesn't need to be massive; 256GB would probably be enough and 512GB definitely would, I just don't want a hard drive in my laptop
  • Must perform equally or better than my current laptop, which has a Ryzen 3500U and 8GB of RAM.
  • Linux support is highly desirable but not absolutely required (if I have to, I can run Linux in a virtual machine)

I have no real brand loyalty (regarding either OEMs or chip makers). I don't care about facial recognition or a fingerprint scanner. A touchscreen would be nice but would be of no use to me unless it has pen support.

 

Expand this spoiler for a list of what needs to be plugged into the docking station:

Spoiler
  • 1080p HDMI monitor (laptop display must also remain functional while this is plugged in; can't see any reason it wouldn't though)
  • USB mouse
  • USB keyboard
  • Headphones (3.5mm audio jack)
  • Charging
  • Ethernet

I'm not too bothered if one or two of these things have to be plugged in separately but ultimately I want a reasonably seamless experience

 

I should mention that I'm not buying now. If I do choose to buy a new laptop it won't be for a few months, and if nothing compelling is available I might choose to just stick with what I have at the moment.

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pythonmegapixel

into tech, public transport and architecture // amateur programmer // youtuber // beginner photographer

Thanks for reading all this by the way!

By the way, my desktop is a docked laptop. Get over it, No seriously, I have an exterrnal monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, ethernet and cooling fans all connected. Using it feels no different to a desktop, it works for several hours if the power goes out, and disconnecting just a few cables gives me something I can take on the go. There's enough power for all games I play and it even copes with basic (and some not-so-basic) video editing. Give it a go - you might just love it.

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What do you have now? Basically anything that has USB-C will do that with an USB-C multi dongle.

F@H
Desktop: i9-13900K, ASUS Z790-E, 64GB DDR5-6000 CL36, RTX3080, 2TB MP600 Pro XT, 2TB SX8200Pro, 2x16TB Ironwolf RAID0, Corsair HX1200, Antec Vortex 360 AIO, Thermaltake Versa H25 TG, Samsung 4K curved 49" TV, 23" secondary, Mountain Everest Max

Mobile SFF rig: i9-9900K, Noctua NH-L9i, Asrock Z390 Phantom ITX-AC, 32GB, GTX1070, 2x1TB SX8200Pro RAID0, 2x5TB 2.5" HDD RAID0, Athena 500W Flex (Noctua fan), Custom 4.7l 3D printed case

 

Asus Zenbook UM325UA, Ryzen 7 5700u, 16GB, 1TB, OLED

 

GPD Win 2

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12 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

What do you have now? Basically anything that has USB-C will do that with an USB-C multi dongle.

I don't know the exact model number. It does have such a port but for some reason it won't output to a display via USB-C. Windows detects that it is plugged in and then refuses to connect to it properly.

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pythonmegapixel

into tech, public transport and architecture // amateur programmer // youtuber // beginner photographer

Thanks for reading all this by the way!

By the way, my desktop is a docked laptop. Get over it, No seriously, I have an exterrnal monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, ethernet and cooling fans all connected. Using it feels no different to a desktop, it works for several hours if the power goes out, and disconnecting just a few cables gives me something I can take on the go. There's enough power for all games I play and it even copes with basic (and some not-so-basic) video editing. Give it a go - you might just love it.

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8 minutes ago, pythonmegapixel said:

I don't know the exact model number. It does have such a port but for some reason it won't output to a display via USB-C. Windows detects that it is plugged in and then refuses to connect to it properly.

Are you using an HDMI -> USB cable or something?  I have a dongle with a USB-C to connect to the computer and a full sized HDMI port for the display and it works fine.  Might be worth attempting to get that dongle before buying a new setup -- the dongle only costs like $20-$50, and you can return it if it doesn't work.  

#Muricaparrotgang

 

Folding@Home Stats | Current PC Loadout: 

Small                        Bigger				Biggerer				Biggest
Fractal Design Focus G       NZXT H1				Lian LI O11 Dynamic XL			Fractal Design Meshify C
FX-8320                      Ryzen 3 3200G			Ryzen 5 3600				Ryzen 7 3700X
120mm AIO                    120mm AIO				Custom 280mm loop			Noctua NH-D15
A motherboard                ASRock B450 mobo			MSI x570 mobo				MSI x570 mobo
16gb DDR3                    16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3600
a melange of HDDs/SSDs       WD 1tb m.2				WD 500gb m.2				WD 1tb m.2/2tb HDD
PNY GTX 1070 x2              GTX 1070				GTX 1070 FE				MSI RTX 2080 TI
some 650w PSU                650W SFX-L 80+ Gold		MSI RTX 2080 Super			EVGA SuperNova 750w 80+ GOLD 
								Corsair RM850x 80+ GOLD

 

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3 minutes ago, Rybo said:

Are you using an HDMI -> USB cable or something?  I have a dongle with a USB-C to connect to the computer and a full sized HDMI port for the display and it works fine.  Might be worth attempting to get that dongle before buying a new setup -- the dongle only costs like $20-$50, and you can return it if it doesn't work.  

I am already using one of those.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

pythonmegapixel

into tech, public transport and architecture // amateur programmer // youtuber // beginner photographer

Thanks for reading all this by the way!

By the way, my desktop is a docked laptop. Get over it, No seriously, I have an exterrnal monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, ethernet and cooling fans all connected. Using it feels no different to a desktop, it works for several hours if the power goes out, and disconnecting just a few cables gives me something I can take on the go. There's enough power for all games I play and it even copes with basic (and some not-so-basic) video editing. Give it a go - you might just love it.

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2 minutes ago, pythonmegapixel said:

I am already using one of those.

Just to be clear, you're using one of these?  And the display on it does not work?

 

image.png.a1d0961450baa3c889d73e4e1a8883a9.png

#Muricaparrotgang

 

Folding@Home Stats | Current PC Loadout: 

Small                        Bigger				Biggerer				Biggest
Fractal Design Focus G       NZXT H1				Lian LI O11 Dynamic XL			Fractal Design Meshify C
FX-8320                      Ryzen 3 3200G			Ryzen 5 3600				Ryzen 7 3700X
120mm AIO                    120mm AIO				Custom 280mm loop			Noctua NH-D15
A motherboard                ASRock B450 mobo			MSI x570 mobo				MSI x570 mobo
16gb DDR3                    16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3600
a melange of HDDs/SSDs       WD 1tb m.2				WD 500gb m.2				WD 1tb m.2/2tb HDD
PNY GTX 1070 x2              GTX 1070				GTX 1070 FE				MSI RTX 2080 TI
some 650w PSU                650W SFX-L 80+ Gold		MSI RTX 2080 Super			EVGA SuperNova 750w 80+ GOLD 
								Corsair RM850x 80+ GOLD

 

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7 minutes ago, Rybo said:

Just to be clear, you're using one of these?  And the display on it does not work?

 

image.png.a1d0961450baa3c889d73e4e1a8883a9.png

No. I am using a standalone adapter which has a USB C cable on one end and HDMI out on the other.

 

It works with a Chromebook I have lying around but not with my laptop.

 

Edit: photo

IMG_20210324_124425050_BURST001.thumb.jpg.3100f71d41575a58f44867395ce8edd5.jpg

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

pythonmegapixel

into tech, public transport and architecture // amateur programmer // youtuber // beginner photographer

Thanks for reading all this by the way!

By the way, my desktop is a docked laptop. Get over it, No seriously, I have an exterrnal monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, ethernet and cooling fans all connected. Using it feels no different to a desktop, it works for several hours if the power goes out, and disconnecting just a few cables gives me something I can take on the go. There's enough power for all games I play and it even copes with basic (and some not-so-basic) video editing. Give it a go - you might just love it.

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3 minutes ago, pythonmegapixel said:

No. I am using a standalone adapter which has a USB C cable on one end and HDMI out on the other.

 

It works with a Chromebook I have lying around but not with my laptop.

Got it.  So not as many features, but still the same idea.  Well, in the meantime the dongle I pictured should reduce your cable load to 2 (and that's only if the display doesn't work on it, either).  

 

But can you post your current laptop model?  I'm curious if it explicitly does not support displays through its USB-C port or if it's just plain broken on your system.  

#Muricaparrotgang

 

Folding@Home Stats | Current PC Loadout: 

Small                        Bigger				Biggerer				Biggest
Fractal Design Focus G       NZXT H1				Lian LI O11 Dynamic XL			Fractal Design Meshify C
FX-8320                      Ryzen 3 3200G			Ryzen 5 3600				Ryzen 7 3700X
120mm AIO                    120mm AIO				Custom 280mm loop			Noctua NH-D15
A motherboard                ASRock B450 mobo			MSI x570 mobo				MSI x570 mobo
16gb DDR3                    16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3600
a melange of HDDs/SSDs       WD 1tb m.2				WD 500gb m.2				WD 1tb m.2/2tb HDD
PNY GTX 1070 x2              GTX 1070				GTX 1070 FE				MSI RTX 2080 TI
some 650w PSU                650W SFX-L 80+ Gold		MSI RTX 2080 Super			EVGA SuperNova 750w 80+ GOLD 
								Corsair RM850x 80+ GOLD

 

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6 minutes ago, Rybo said:

Got it.  So not as many features, but still the same idea.  Well, in the meantime the dongle I pictured should reduce your cable load to 2 (and that's only if the display doesn't work on it, either).  

 

But can you post your current laptop model?  I'm curious if it explicitly does not support displays through its USB-C port or if it's just plain broken on your system.  

As I say I don't know the model number and I can't find it anywhere on the casing. It's an HP 14-inch laptop of some variety with a Ryzen 3500U, a 256GB Samsung SSD and 8GB of RAM, it was about £450 from John Lewis a few years ago.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

pythonmegapixel

into tech, public transport and architecture // amateur programmer // youtuber // beginner photographer

Thanks for reading all this by the way!

By the way, my desktop is a docked laptop. Get over it, No seriously, I have an exterrnal monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, ethernet and cooling fans all connected. Using it feels no different to a desktop, it works for several hours if the power goes out, and disconnecting just a few cables gives me something I can take on the go. There's enough power for all games I play and it even copes with basic (and some not-so-basic) video editing. Give it a go - you might just love it.

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2 minutes ago, pythonmegapixel said:

As I say I don't know the model number and I can't find it anywhere on the casing. It's an HP 14-inch laptop of some variety with a Ryzen 3500U, a 256GB Samsung SSD and 8GB of RAM, it was about £500 from John Lewis a few years ago.

System Information on the laptop might contain the brand and model info -- at least it does with the several prebuilt laptops I have around the house.  Can you screen grab the System Manufacturer, Model, Type, and SKU?  

(System Information is accessed by opening the start menu and typing System Information into search)

#Muricaparrotgang

 

Folding@Home Stats | Current PC Loadout: 

Small                        Bigger				Biggerer				Biggest
Fractal Design Focus G       NZXT H1				Lian LI O11 Dynamic XL			Fractal Design Meshify C
FX-8320                      Ryzen 3 3200G			Ryzen 5 3600				Ryzen 7 3700X
120mm AIO                    120mm AIO				Custom 280mm loop			Noctua NH-D15
A motherboard                ASRock B450 mobo			MSI x570 mobo				MSI x570 mobo
16gb DDR3                    16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3200			16gb DDR4 @ 3600
a melange of HDDs/SSDs       WD 1tb m.2				WD 500gb m.2				WD 1tb m.2/2tb HDD
PNY GTX 1070 x2              GTX 1070				GTX 1070 FE				MSI RTX 2080 TI
some 650w PSU                650W SFX-L 80+ Gold		MSI RTX 2080 Super			EVGA SuperNova 750w 80+ GOLD 
								Corsair RM850x 80+ GOLD

 

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Just now, Rybo said:

System Information on the laptop might contain the brand and model info -- at least it does with the several prebuilt laptops I have around the house.  Can you screen grab the System Manufacturer, Model, Type, and SKU?  

(System Information is accessed by opening the start menu and typing System Information into search)

Sorry, I'm typing on my phone and not at the computer right now. If I have time later I'll check that out.

 

Thanks for your help though.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

pythonmegapixel

into tech, public transport and architecture // amateur programmer // youtuber // beginner photographer

Thanks for reading all this by the way!

By the way, my desktop is a docked laptop. Get over it, No seriously, I have an exterrnal monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, ethernet and cooling fans all connected. Using it feels no different to a desktop, it works for several hours if the power goes out, and disconnecting just a few cables gives me something I can take on the go. There's enough power for all games I play and it even copes with basic (and some not-so-basic) video editing. Give it a go - you might just love it.

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Some laptops indeed don't support USB-C display out but it's becoming rare nowadays.

F@H
Desktop: i9-13900K, ASUS Z790-E, 64GB DDR5-6000 CL36, RTX3080, 2TB MP600 Pro XT, 2TB SX8200Pro, 2x16TB Ironwolf RAID0, Corsair HX1200, Antec Vortex 360 AIO, Thermaltake Versa H25 TG, Samsung 4K curved 49" TV, 23" secondary, Mountain Everest Max

Mobile SFF rig: i9-9900K, Noctua NH-L9i, Asrock Z390 Phantom ITX-AC, 32GB, GTX1070, 2x1TB SX8200Pro RAID0, 2x5TB 2.5" HDD RAID0, Athena 500W Flex (Noctua fan), Custom 4.7l 3D printed case

 

Asus Zenbook UM325UA, Ryzen 7 5700u, 16GB, 1TB, OLED

 

GPD Win 2

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3 hours ago, Kilrah said:

Some laptops indeed don't support USB-C display out but it's becoming rare nowadays.

The laptop in question is both a pretty old design at this point and also quite cheap. It doesn't really surprise me.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

pythonmegapixel

into tech, public transport and architecture // amateur programmer // youtuber // beginner photographer

Thanks for reading all this by the way!

By the way, my desktop is a docked laptop. Get over it, No seriously, I have an exterrnal monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset, ethernet and cooling fans all connected. Using it feels no different to a desktop, it works for several hours if the power goes out, and disconnecting just a few cables gives me something I can take on the go. There's enough power for all games I play and it even copes with basic (and some not-so-basic) video editing. Give it a go - you might just love it.

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Yeah, I meant whatever you would buy next will very likely support it. Still worth checking reviews to be sure.

F@H
Desktop: i9-13900K, ASUS Z790-E, 64GB DDR5-6000 CL36, RTX3080, 2TB MP600 Pro XT, 2TB SX8200Pro, 2x16TB Ironwolf RAID0, Corsair HX1200, Antec Vortex 360 AIO, Thermaltake Versa H25 TG, Samsung 4K curved 49" TV, 23" secondary, Mountain Everest Max

Mobile SFF rig: i9-9900K, Noctua NH-L9i, Asrock Z390 Phantom ITX-AC, 32GB, GTX1070, 2x1TB SX8200Pro RAID0, 2x5TB 2.5" HDD RAID0, Athena 500W Flex (Noctua fan), Custom 4.7l 3D printed case

 

Asus Zenbook UM325UA, Ryzen 7 5700u, 16GB, 1TB, OLED

 

GPD Win 2

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