Universal(?) Docking STation

newpagella

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Aug 25, 2012
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I would appreciate guidance on a docking station to connect a single supplied (HDMI) TV/monitor and related devices to as wide a range of laptops as possible (mostly Windows 7-8-8.1-10, I expect) for simple, business use WITHOUT needing to download (or fiddle with) drivers. I am looking to place these in guest rooms in a B&B for guest use as easily as possible - just plug and play! I expect the usual application will not be demanding - reading email, for example. Thank you.
 

newpagella

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Aug 25, 2012
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Thanks. There seem to be many USB3-based docking stations which should meet this relatively modest service requirement. Many, however, advertise compatibility with Windows 7-8-8.1 but do not mention Win10. The Hiro H50295 claims to be a 'Universal' station of the sort which I am looking for - but it does not state for which O/Ss it will require a special driver (if any). I am hoping to learn from someone with personal experience which docking stations are most likely to work with minimal need for guests to fiddle with drivers.

The purpose of the docking station is really just for convenience of connections. I plan to supply a very modest computer in each guest room which has an attached office, but I anticipate that many guests (assuming that we ever have any) will want to use their own laptops instead. I want simply to avoid their need to fiddle with cable and drivers: ideally, they would just have to switch a single USB cable from the supplied PC to their laptop. (Has anyone stayed at a Hyatt Place recently? That's a newer, rather informal Hyatt hotel line. Each room is equipped with a technology interconnect panel which looks like an aircraft cockpit or recording studio.)

 

James Mason

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Jan 2, 2014
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Well, Monitors and keyboards and Mice don't need drivers, neither do ethernet cables.

Some kind of Cord keeper/organizer is likely all you'd need, and wouldn't require any extra software:
http://www.amazon.com/WIRE-CARD-Multi-purpose-Cable-Colors/dp/B003RDPKS4
http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Catch-Satin-Chrome/dp/B003D7T9VI
http://www.amazon.com/Quirky-Under-Power-Management-Station/dp/B004SGJBU2
http://www.amazon.com/UT-Wire-UTW-CS04-GY-Station-2-Mountable/dp/B002YKKD1A
http://www.amazon.com/UT-Wire-UTW-CS05-BG-Mountable-Organizer/dp/B00D1KXGTS
 

newpagella

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Aug 25, 2012
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newpagella

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Aug 25, 2012
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Thanks James Mason. Cord organization is a reasonable idea, and it might work in Singapore. I'd still prefer a docking-station-type approach if possible; I believe that one cable connection is the absolute limit for guests.... Ads for several of the docking stations advise to first DL the latest DisplayLink drivers. Is that likely to be required if the DisplayLink ports are not even to be used? (PC USB => HDMI(1) and USB(2-4) (and Ethernet))