Surface Pro 7 - Displayport Dock (Dual Monitors)

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alexanderu

71 posts

Master Geek

#290276 31-Oct-2021 15:31

Hi Everyone!

Our work is looking at replacing our old laptops with Surface Pro 7's.
We currently use HP laptops, which use are connected to an HP Ultraslim 2013 docking station. The docking station is connected to two display-port monitors via Display Port cable.

For the Surface Pro 7 - we are looking at keeping the existing display port monitors, but just swapping out the HP docking stations to a USB-C docking station with display port.

I have been looking around online for a docking station in NZ, but am struggling to find a suitable one. There are quite a few options from the US, like Plugable and J5Create, but it is just extremely tedious to get them shipped down to NZ.

Are there any local options available or recommendations? Ideally we would like something with reputable reviews, rather than the cheap brands which break after a few months.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers

gehenna

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#2804723 31-Oct-2021 16:04

Get the actual Surface Dock otherwise you're entering a world of hurt. Buy Microsoft Surface Dock 2 – Microsoft Surface

MackinNZ

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#2804732 31-Oct-2021 16:48

And buy at lease one more Surface than you need so you have something to give the user when you have to send theirs back to Microsoft for repair.

alexanderu

71 posts

Master Geek

#2804859 31-Oct-2021 19:23

gehenna:

Get the actual Surface Dock otherwise you're entering a world of hurt. Buy Microsoft Surface Dock 2 – Microsoft Surface

Thanks - we were considering this, but it would not work with the monitors we had, and it would need to have a USB C --> DisplayPort adaptor which defeats the purpose, and the price was quite high.

gehenna

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#2804873 31-Oct-2021 20:07

You'll run into all sorts of issues with aftermarket docks when it comes to Surfaces. We have issues even with the Surface Docks if you use cheap cables or dongles. After so many years it's annoying they have still got docking issues on Surfaces. Main one I've come across is flickering monitors. Happens across a range of Surfaces/docks/monitors and almost always comes down to needing a Microsoft USB-C/Mini-DP to DP dongle rather than using a straight cable or aftermarket dongle.

Just don't expect smooth sailing.

alexanderu

71 posts

Master Geek

#2804881 31-Oct-2021 20:25

gehenna: You'll run into all sorts of issues with aftermarket docks when it comes to Surfaces. We have issues even with the Surface Docks if you use cheap cables or dongles. After so many years it's annoying they have still got docking issues on Surfaces. Main one I've come across is flickering monitors. Happens across a range of Surfaces/docks/monitors and almost always comes down to needing a Microsoft USB-C/Mini-DP to DP dongle rather than using a straight cable or aftermarket dongle.

Just don't expect smooth sailing.

Fair point! I might look at a Surface dock then... maybe a second hand one off trademe? I just think the cost for a brand new one is astronomical!
Would those USB C's --> displayport work, similar to those from PBTech? Like this one? https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CABUNI0052/Unitek-V400A-18m-4K-60Hz-USB-C-to-DisplayPort-12-C

gehenna

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#2805929 2-Nov-2021 09:18

You can try it but it really will be trial and error to get things working end to end depending on your devices. FYI most of the problems I've seen come when using dual external displays. If you're just using one monitor + surface display you may be ok.

nedkelly

659 posts

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#2805947 2-Nov-2021 10:17

alexanderu:

gehenna: You'll run into all sorts of issues with aftermarket docks when it comes to Surfaces. We have issues even with the Surface Docks if you use cheap cables or dongles. After so many years it's annoying they have still got docking issues on Surfaces. Main one I've come across is flickering monitors. Happens across a range of Surfaces/docks/monitors and almost always comes down to needing a Microsoft USB-C/Mini-DP to DP dongle rather than using a straight cable or aftermarket dongle.

Just don't expect smooth sailing.

Fair point! I might look at a Surface dock then... maybe a second hand one off trademe? I just think the cost for a brand new one is astronomical!
Would those USB C's --> displayport work, similar to those from PBTech? Like this one? https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CABUNI0052/Unitek-V400A-18m-4K-60Hz-USB-C-to-DisplayPort-12-C

As someone who supported a fleet of 150+ Surface Pro 4/5/6/7 until recently I would draw your attention to the commercial dock which uses the Mini-displayport connector for screens still.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TAAMST44040/Microsoft-Commercial-Model-Surface-Dock-works-with

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mrdrifter

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#2805959 2-Nov-2021 10:35

alexanderu:

Fair point! I might look at a Surface dock then... maybe a second-hand one off trademe? I just think the cost for a brand new one is astronomical!
Would those USB C's --> DisplayPort work, similar to those from PBTech? Like this one? https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CABUNI0052/Unitek-V400A-18m-4K-60Hz-USB-C-to-DisplayPort-12-C

Those cables work with the Surface Dock, I purchased about 16 of those cables earlier in the year for 8 docks with dual monitors, have had no issues with them at all. They also work with USB C out from the Lenovo and HP devices in the team. The Surface Pro also works with the HP G5 USB-C(/TB?) dock.

alexanderu

71 posts

Master Geek

#2806033 2-Nov-2021 11:22

nedkelly:

As someone who supported a fleet of 150+ Surface Pro 4/5/6/7 until recently I would draw your attention to the commercial dock which uses the Mini-displayport connector for screens still.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TAAMST44040/Microsoft-Commercial-Model-Surface-Dock-works-with

Hey thanks for your reply! I was thinking of getting the Surface Pro Dock 1, which is similar to the one you've linked which uses mini-displayport.
I assume that its pretty similar in the way that it works in terms of using the mini-displayport to Displayport adaptor? (My monitor supports Displayport)

alexanderu

71 posts

Master Geek

#2806036 2-Nov-2021 11:24

mrdrifter:

alexanderu:

Fair point! I might look at a Surface dock then... maybe a second-hand one off trademe? I just think the cost for a brand new one is astronomical!
Would those USB C's --> DisplayPort work, similar to those from PBTech? Like this one? https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CABUNI0052/Unitek-V400A-18m-4K-60Hz-USB-C-to-DisplayPort-12-C

Those cables work with the Surface Dock, I purchased about 16 of those cables earlier in the year for 8 docks with dual monitors, have had no issues with them at all. They also work with USB C out from the Lenovo and HP devices in the team. The Surface Pro also works with the HP G5 USB-C(/TB?) dock.

Thank you so much! I'll get two mini-displayport to displayport cables from PB then, they seem to have a great deal going on right now!
Any advice in terms of the setup? Or really just plug and play?