Best Docking Station for MSI Laptop

Docking stations are incredibly useful accessories for laptop users who need to connect multiple peripherals like monitors, external hard drives, printers, and more. With so many docking stations on the market, it can be tricky to determine which one is the best option for your particular MSI laptop. In this guide, we’ll review the top docking stations for MSI laptops across different price points and functionality levels. We’ll specifically cover Thunderbolt and USB-C docking stations for the latest MSI laptops with these ports.

MSI Laptop Docking Ports/Connectivity Before diving into dock recommendations, it’s important to understand what type of ports and connectivity your MSI laptop has to determine compatible docking stations. Many modern MSI gaming and creator/productivity laptops feature advanced connectivity like Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C ports. These offer fast 40Gbps Thunderbolt or 10Gbps USB speeds for lightning quick data transfers and high resolution video output up to 8K.

Older MSI laptops may only have USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI, MiniDisplayPort or proprietary docking connections, so it’s crucial to check for specifications related to USB standards, DisplayPort/video output protocols, and other connection types. Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C docks maximize performance but won’t work on laptops without the corresponding ports.

Keep in mind that the specific MSI laptop model determines how many simultaneous displays are supported through the docking station. The number and type of displays supported also relies on the laptop GPU – this varies from integrated graphics to high-end NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon options on MSI gaming laptops. Always check your laptop’s capabilities before picking out a docking station.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

For premium functionality with the latest MSI creator and productivity laptops, we highly recommend the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock. It’s the best Thunderbolt docking station on the market – but keep in mind Thunderbolt 4 laptop ports are required for compatibility.

Key capabilities and benefits: Thunderbolt connectivity with 87 watts of laptop charging power, 15 total ports

• Up to 4 external display output for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz screens
• Thunderbolt host functionality to daisy chain other Thunderbolt devices
• 5 customizable USB 3.2 ports for incredible speeds and peripheral connectivity
• Advanced device sound input and output for recording and audio ports
• Durable aluminum chassis and vertical orientation saves desktop space

With incredible expandability and versatile pro ports, the TS4 brings desktop-level expansion and extremely fast transfer speeds via Thunderbolt. Your MSI laptop can connect up to 15 devices through the docking station and drive up to four high resolution displays. Thunderbolt 4 is built for the most demanding professionals and will last you across laptop upgrades.

The TS4 is quite expensive for casual or home office use but can’t be beaten for power users who need its full capabilities. We suggest a USB-C alternative like the Plugable dock for more budget-friendly options.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Serious gamers should consider Razer’s offering focused on MSI gaming laptop connectivity and expansion. The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock updates and builds on the popular Razer Core chassis to bring incredible speeds and A-grade construction quality and durability on par with Razer’s laptops and accessories.

Though quite niche for non-gaming MSI users, key specs include:

• Thunderbolt 4 connectivity and 87 watts laptop charging
• 4K 144Hz or 8K60Hz external display output for up to three screens
• Wide array of ports: Ethernet, UHS-II SD, multiple USB, 3.5mm audio and more
• Beautiful aluminum chassis available in Mercury White or Black colors
• Built-in customizable Razer Chroma RGB lighting for style points

With a slightly lower price point than the CalDigit TS4 dock, the Razer edition has very similar laptop power delivery, Thunderbolt bandwidth, multi-display output, and ample USB connectivity. The extra gamer aesthetic, lighting, and better cable management make it a fantastic pairing for premium MSI gaming rigs when top-tier performance is needed. It lacks Thunderbolt pass-through compared to the TS4 but still brings exceptional connectivity.

If your workflow never needs 4 simultaneous displays or certain audio/recording ports, you can save a bit of money and get nearly as good speeds with the Plugable USB 3.0 dock listed below. But for demanding gamers and content creators, the Razer Thunderbolt Dock perfectly matches the quality of MSI’s top gaming laptops.

Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C Docking Station

As a flexible alternative for older and newer MSI laptops alike, we recommend the versatile Plugable USB 3.0 and USB-C Docking Station. The unique selling point is how well it works for laptops that only have USB ports alongside compatibility with modern Thunderbolt and USB-C machines. And pricing is quite reasonable thanks to mainstream specs and omission of advanced/enterprise level ports like Thunderbolt.

Here are the most useful specifications for MSI laptop users:

• Supports up to 3 1080p external display out (2 HDMI + 1 DisplayPort)
• Works through USB Type-A or USB Type-C for legacy or new laptops
• Multiple USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports for peripherals
• Ethernet, 60W laptop charging, headphone jack, & other ports
• Compatible with DisplayLink and GPU/iGPU display output

This flexible docking station connects using older rectangular USB Type-A ports or new USB-C ports, extending the lifespan through multiple laptops and generations. Even if your laptop doesn’t have Thunderbolt, the Plugable USB-C dock will often provide a nice step up in video output, USB speeds, and peripheral connectivity. We appreciate the multiple video output options using DisplayLink, USB graphics, or direct laptop GPU routing as possible methodologies.

If you’d rather find a single Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C docking solution that can completely replace its older USB-based sibling for MSI laptops, check out both the CalDigit and Razer options which provide vastly improved performance and features. But for mixed laptop environments, the USB-C and USB-A flexibility combined with solid pricing makes this one of our favorite docking stations across different use cases.

Dell USB 3.0 Ultra HD/4K Triple Display Docking Station (D3100)

The Dell D3100 is a reliable enterprise option for professional MSI laptop users who are particular about image quality, legacy compatibility, and strong hardware/software integration. With high-resolution video output that can handle up to three external 4K displays, quality construction, and stringent testing and support services from Dell, it brings best-in-class commercial capabilities.

Key Dell D3100 benefits:

• Legacy USB 3.0 laptop connectivity with broad compatibility
• Up to three Ultra HD 4K displays supported @ 60Hz
• Excellent multi-display image accuracy/controls
• Six USB ports for accessories and peripherals
• Laptop charging, Ethernet, audio ports, NFC, and security features

For companies investing heavily in premium monitors and office setups, the Dell USB 3.0 Dock shines thanks to commercial-grade multi-display output. While business benefits like centralized BIOS configuration controls, PXE boot support, wake-on-LAN compliance, and Dell Display Manager software are a bit overkill for consumers, they speak to how finely tuned the dock is for professional use cases.

In business scenarios, it’s easy for IT administrators to control display topology, quality metrics, and power saving settings on employee laptops when they dock into high resolution Dell UltraSharp displays at the office. For regular home users, the quality and polish is still evident but won’t be fully utilized – making the Plugable or Dell WD19 alternatives more sensible. Still, there is much to like about fit, finish, and rigorous validation that gives professionals using MSI laptops peace of mind with the premium investment in the flagship Dell USB 3.0 dock complete with promising Dell ProSupport options.

Anker USB C Docking Station (10-in-1)

If you need lots of ports and connectivity in an inexpensive and compact form factor, consider the Anker 563 USB C Docking Station. Anker is known for making quality accessories at a great price point. This particular docking station uses a newer USB-C connector that works with MSI’s latest laptop models and has 10 different ports to handle a variety of peripherals and other accessories.

Highlights include the following capabilities:

• USB-C host connectivity and 60 watt power delivery for laptop charging
• 4K 30Hz HDMI and DisplayPort connectors for dual monitor output
• 5Gbps USB data transfer rates across 4x USB 3.0 ports
• SD and microSD card readers for photo/video transfer
• Gigabit Ethernet port for wired networks
• 3.5mm audio in/out ports for headsets & speakers

This USB-C-based dock is reasonably future proof and quite sturdy thanks to strong plastics in the chassis construction. You can charge & connect everything from external hard drives, cameras, printers, to even desktop accessories like USB mice/keyboards over a single USB Type-C cable. While the resolution/refresh rates compared to Thunderbolt 4 docks have some limitations for power users and gamers, they are perfectly fine for everyday home, office, and school use. At nearly half the cost of premium docks, the affordable but reliable connectivity makes this an easy choice for budget MSI laptop owners looking to expand their workstation.

Conclusion & Recommendations

The docking station landscape offers a range of options to perfectly pair with various new and older MSI gaming, creator/productivity, and workstation laptop models. Modern ports like Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C provide incredible bandwidth for massive expansion, fast external storage/networking, and the ability to drive multiple high resolution displays. We particularly like the CalDigit TS4 and Razer Thunderbolt Docking stations if your MSI laptop has the required USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support.

For users with a mix of USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB-C or Thunderbolt on different laptops in home or office environments, the Plugable docking station line works nicely as a flexible cross-platform option without breaking the bank. And the Dell commercial dock reigns supreme for business deployments thanks to stellar multi-display performance, broad peripheral connectivity, and enterprise management features.

No matter your specific situation, refer to your MSI laptop technical specifications to understand available ports and protocols. This ensures you choose compatible docking stations for the desired functionality whether focused purely on connectivity, display outputs, speed, or future proofing for coming laptop upgrades. With the right dock matched to your laptop ports, usage needs and budget, you’ll maximize productivity and enjoy a clean, performant desk setup.