What exactly are docking stations utilized for?

[hopedec]

hi,
i already keep reading the wikipedia website but considering that I'm not a geek and since I don’t understand much about electronic terms, I couldn't quite know what docking stations are all about.
can somebody tell me precisely what you do with a docking station?
thanks

 

[royfrosty]

What docking stations are you reffering to?

There are many kinds

1. Mobile phone docking station
2. Speaker docking station
3. Docking station for tablets


Which one you reffering to?

 

[nomad_mcv]

What docking stations are you reffering to?

There are many kinds

1. Mobile phone docking station
2. Speaker docking station
3. Docking station for tablets


Which one you reffering to?

add another one
4. Hard drive docking station

 

[lemonn]

Docking stations are usually to expand the number of input/output ports for a particular device, and in most cases, to add the convenience of not having to plug or unplug cables when connecting the portable device/hard disk to other devices (eg. Data transfer, charging etc.).

That's as generic as I can explain it. However, it depends on what context you're referring to in your question, as most docking stations are built for a specific device and purpose only.

 

[hopedec]

What docking stations are you reffering to?

There are many kinds

1. Mobile phone docking station
2. Speaker docking station
3. Docking station for tablets


Which one you reffering to?

I think I'm referring to HDD docking station. However, since you have mentioned those different stations, would you like to tell me the differences among them and what's their function?
Isn't a docking station used for cloning?

 

[jtjt00]

Normally hard disk docking station is not use for cloning and does not come with cloning software.

 

[muddle]

I think I'm referring to HDD docking station. However, since you have mentioned those different stations, would you like to tell me the differences among them and what's their function?
Isn't a docking station used for cloning?

1. Charge phone and some allow additional battery to be charged
2. Put phone in dock and audio output thru speaker.
3. Add keyboard or additional display/usb/other ports to tablets.

Seriously u havent seen these things before? Even dinosaur shops like courts and harvey norman sell them.

 

[royfrosty]

I think I'm referring to HDD docking station. However, since you have mentioned those different stations, would you like to tell me the differences among them and what's their function?
Isn't a docking station used for cloning?

There are many use of docking stations. It depends on what kind of docking stations you are reffering to.

Mobile docking station, various use. Can be used for charging a mobile phone. Its a stand that connects the phone via USB to the com. Can be used to transfer data from pc to phone or the other way round. Only one brand that creates a docking station for phone to a tablet. That is asus padfone series.

Speaker docking station, used to dock certain mobile phones or mp3 player and connect it to a speakers. It is used to playback music contents found in phone.

Docking for tablet. Commonly used in hybrid laptops. Go to courts or any electronics store and take a look at hybrid laptops. Their screen can be seperated from the keyboards. Giving user end an ability of a tablet and also a laptop.

Hdd docking. Can be used for various purposes. It is used to connect hdd externally without the need of pulling out the casing of the pc.

 

[koroshiya8]

i thought it's pretty clear TS was referring to HDD dock.. LOL.. or is it because i myself also explore before.. basically i got multiple 2.5" HDD and a 1TB WD Green Book..... so i was thinking how to consolidate them...
so basically u can simply buy a normal 'dock' which can support up to 4 drive.. basically these does nothing except let u connect 4 in 1 into your computer via USB 2, 3, etc..

Another type is where u also 'dock' but they offer Raid facility and then the question comes whether do you need a DAS or NAS to fulfil ur requirement..

tat's my understanding and till now i have not really made my move except strip one of my 2.5" 500GB and attach into my desktop intenal drive lol.

 

[hopedec]

Normally hard disk docking station is not use for cloning and does not come with cloning software.

I saw a HDD docking station with clone function, so I'm very curious also confused about docking station that I understand.

1. Charge phone and some allow additional battery to be charged
2. Put phone in dock and audio output thru speaker.
3. Add keyboard or additional display/usb/other ports to tablets.

Seriously u havent seen these things before? Even dinosaur shops like courts and harvey norman sell them.

Now I know they are different. I misunderstood that all docking stations had same function. I also feel ashamed of myself. ;(

There are many use of docking stations. It depends on what kind of docking stations you are reffering to.

Mobile docking station, various use. Can be used for charging a mobile phone. Its a stand that connects the phone via USB to the com. Can be used to transfer data from pc to phone or the other way round. Only one brand that creates a docking station for phone to a tablet. That is asus padfone series.

Speaker docking station, used to dock certain mobile phones or mp3 player and connect it to a speakers. It is used to playback music contents found in phone.

Docking for tablet. Commonly used in hybrid laptops. Go to courts or any electronics store and take a look at hybrid laptops. Their screen can be seperated from the keyboards. Giving user end an ability of a tablet and also a laptop.

Hdd docking. Can be used for various purposes. It is used to connect hdd externally without the need of pulling out the casing of the pc.

Really big thanks for your detailed explanation, that question has confused me for too long.