USB-C dock or Thunderbolt dock, what's the difference for us?
Same USB-C connector, but Thunderbolt has much more bandwidth. For one monitor and some USB you'll barely notice; for two 4Ks you will.
Try this first
- 1One external monitor (1080p or 1440p) plus keyboard/mouse: a USB-C dock is enough. Cheaper.
- 2Two 4K monitors or one 4K at 60 Hz plus wired network and lots of USB: Thunderbolt is practically required.
- 3Check whether your laptop actually has Thunderbolt. Looks like USB-C but needs explicit support (lightning icon).
- 4Standardise: one dock brand and model fleet-wide saves support hours. Not a different one per person.
When to bring us in
Unsure if a dock model drives your monitors? Send laptop + dock + monitors and we check the specs.
See also
- Should we buy or lease laptops as a 5-person company?Both work. Lease is predictable but pricier over the term; buying needs cash and your own depreciation. The difference is mostly admin.
- Is buying refurbished smart or asking for trouble?For office work fine, if from a serious vendor with warranty and a clean OS install. The trap is shady marketplace listings.
- How much RAM and SSD for office work in 2026?Rule of thumb for knowledge work: 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD as a comfortable minimum. 8 GB already feels tight; 32 GB is for heavy tools.
None of the above fits?
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Or skip the DIY entirely
Our Managed IT clients do not look these things up. One point of contact, a fixed monthly price, resolved within working hours.