Does your laptop have few ports? Well, I guess the glass is half empty too, right? Leave your eternal pessimism, reader. It is possible that this is not a problem of limited port selection, but a problem of poor perspective. Let me, if I may, offer my hypothesis: the only way to tell that a laptop is lacking ports is if it has No ports. (I shouldn’t give Apple any ideas.)
Look, like you, I’m not a fan of pedantic internet hot ideas. I’m not here to talk nonsense, to boil your blood and rustle your push-ups. These kinds of sharp techniques are as common as fleas on a stray cat, and are twice as likely to cause irritation if you get too close to them. So trust me when I tell you this, I believe it, I already know I’m right and by the end of this article you too will agree with me when I say…
The laptop only needs one port
I’m well aware that this will get some criticism from technophiles, but stop screaming about your USB Type-A devices for a minute and hear me out. Laptops are designed with portability as a key design feature. That’s why with each generation they become smaller, thinner and lighter.
It’s this metamorphosis that results in so few available ports as manufacturers struggle to find room for larger legacy USB and Ethernet ports or video outputs. With just one port, it further simplifies laptop designs, allowing for slimmer chassis and any extra space to be filled with more important components, such as a larger battery or improved cooling methods.
This one remaining port, preferably USB-C (with DP Alt mode) or Thunderbolt, is enough for data processing, power supply, and even external display support. “What about my legacy USB ports?!” I can hear you crying, well, calm down, we’re getting there.
Because docking stations are the future
Why would anyone need a laptop with more than one port when docking stations and USB hubs already exist? Let’s face it: we’re past the tipping point where laptops have the right level of ports (unless you’re using a beefier gaming laptop, and even then it’s a small choice).
So why should we hang on to the small number of ports we have left when we can convert that one port to 18 with something like CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Station is a fast docking station with plenty of ports that can greatly expand the capabilities of your external display, keep your setup as clean as possible, and still provide significant charging capacity (up to 98W).
best docking stations they all provide most of this and sometimes more, including ergonomic stands and microsoundbars or tripling up as an external SSD enclosure. AND, best USB Type-C hubs offer a more affordable and portable docking station that is ideal for small installations or occasional accessory users.
Undoubtedly, as laptops become thinner and more compact (and in turn sacrifice more ports), docking stations will become an increasingly important hardware addition and a vital part of any laptop-based computing system.
So why not get ahead of the game now and enjoy richer, more versatile features that will get the most out of your laptop? Expand your capabilities with a range of ports that give you the option of a fully equipped workstation or a fully equipped battlestation.
Because who needs wires when you have Bluetooth?
Wires? Ugh! What are you, some kind of Luddite Pinocchio? Your wires are just ropes that hold you down, they’ll make you nervous and frowny – and probably turn your desk into some sort of spaghetti fest along the way. All modern laptops offer a wireless connection option that’s ideal for connecting peripherals: Bluetooth!
Bluetooth is a wireless technology named after the 10th century Danish king and Viking Harald Bluetooth, who, as legend has it, invented the technology after becoming increasingly frustrated when his PSX controller cable popped out of his console when he leaned back . his throne. This information may or may not be factually accurate, I’m sure as hell not going to waste my time looking it up, but until I’m confronted with evidence to the contrary, this fact remains a sort of Schrödinger tidbit that’s also true. and a lie at the same time.
Regardless of origin, Bluetooth support can be found in almost every peripheral device you’ll find littering your desk with: game controllers, computer speakers, headsets, keyboards, mice, microphones, lighting, and more. Even your phone and tablet can be connected to your laptop using Bluetooth. Window Phone Link can use a combination of this and Wi-Fi to control your smartphone remotely.
It’s a virtually wireless wonderland just waiting to be explored. Although, I must admit, it is far from ideal. One issue that some may have with built-in Bluetooth is the lack of audio-centric codecs, meaning that headsets and wireless computer speakers may not sound their best or have lip-syncing issues by default.
However best usb bluetooth adapters may solve this problem, especially with USB-C compatible adapters such as Avantry C81 which offer aptX Low Latency support for high-quality Bluetooth 5.0 audio transmission. However, any legacy USB Type-A adapter can work in conjunction with our first solution, with docks typically unlocking a variety of modern and legacy USB ports.
Prospects
So, laptop ports are becoming a thing of the past like the dinosaurs, but as long as you have them, life will find a way. So why complain? I can understand if you have a powerful gaming laptop that you prefer to have your own power port. And that’s something I’m more than willing to admit. Although the phrase “Laptops only need one port (and a proprietary charger if they are intended for gaming)” is not such a catchy name.
You can fight me all you want, but you know it makes sense. We’ve borne the brunt of manufacturers’ ire on this issue for too long, and perhaps it’s time to judge these port-shy portables a little less harshly when it comes to their I/O offerings.
