HDD Docking Station. What Is It?

The docking station is designed to “dock” different devices. HDD docking station connects a hard disk and a computer.

As a rule, the device of a docking station is very ascetic. It is a plastic box with connectors for HDD, power, USB, and one or two buttons. The docking station for hard drives offers a convenient solution for accessing and transferring data between external hard disks and computers, streamlining workflow and maximizing productivity.

Some docking stations can also accommodate slots for the most common memory cards (the docking station is also a card reader). The station is connected to the computer via a USB cable, and the power supply is taken from the 220 V mains. To connect a hard disk through the docking station, it is enough to turn off the docking station with its regular power button, insert the hard disk into the slot, and turn on the docking station. The system will detect that a new media is connected via USB, identify it, and mount it.

How To Choose A Docking Station

Docking stations are produced by many manufacturers, making them for every taste and purse. Accordingly, to choose a docking station for yourself, you need to answer two questions:

1) How many hard disks will be connected to the computer through the docking station?

2) How often will the hard disks be connected?

By answering the first question, you choose how many ports your docking station will have. All other things being equal, unless you need to connect multiple HDDs, a docking station with a single SATA port is recommended. The point is that no matter how many ports a docking station has, it is connected to the PC with a single USB cable under standard conditions – so the more drives you have in the docking station, the slower each drive will run individually.

By answering the first question, you are choosing how many ports your docking station will have. If you will be connecting your disks to the docking station frequently, an open connector window without the spring-loaded cover is recommended, as it will be more of a nuisance in this case, and the hard drive installed in the docking station will protect the connectors from dust. If disks are not connected often, the cover will be necessary to protect the connectors from dust.

What To Look For When Buying A Docking Station

A good docking station should meet two simple requirements: no power problems and high data transfer speeds. So when buying a docking station, pay attention to the following things:

1. USB connector type. On the box of the docking station, it usually says what kind of USB the docking station supports. For high speed, you need the 3.0 or 3.1 standard. But there is one nuance. The docking station is not a mobile device; it does not need depreciation, so the use of USB type C, mini-USB, and their modifications in the docking station is not justified. It is better to use a standard USB connector. It has a larger size and provides a better connection.

2. Type of station installation. Stations can be vertical or horizontal installations of the drive. The location of the docking station itself should decide which type of installation is right for you.

3. Power connector. A docking station with a shallow power connector with multiple pins or grooves will be less reliable than one with a deep connector with a single pin in the middle. The connector tends to come loose, and the shallower it is, and the more individual parts it has, the faster and harder it will come loose, and the more the power cable will play in it over time.