I have no idea what I am doing but I need a dock for my new home office. My logic was just to buy the cheapest one but I got scared it would fry my laptop... I have about $120 to spend and just want something that actually works every time. what should I get?
I agree that avoiding generic docks is the right move. I have been very satisfied with my setup since it handles power delivery and data transfer with zero issues. To stay on budget, you should check these out:
I have spent way too much time troubleshooting docks for various office setups. For about $120, you can actually get a very solid unit if you skip the generic stuff. You want something with a proven track record for power delivery safety.
ngl you really cant go wrong with a used Dell WD19S. i know it sounds weird to buy used gear but those things are built like tanks and basically the industry standard for a reason. you can usually find them refurbished online for way under your 120 budget. one big tip for reliability: make sure the power brick it comes with is at least 130w. underpowered bricks are usually why docks start acting glitchy or the monitors flicker. also just make sure your laptop actually supports displayport alt mode over the usb-c port or nothing will work right... lol. sticking with enterprise gear like dell or hp is usually safer than rolling the dice on random brands.
Commenting to find later