Chromebook has been recorded to have a growth burst since last year, it might be caused by work from home and remote school arrangements. Of course, use a laptop at home not new for Windows and Mac users but the chrome OS is relatively new for this case use. The use case often involves tethering notebooks with external display and peripherals, something that is a new generation of docking stations that work with Chromebook will try to overcome it.
Although it is called “docking station” most of these accessories come in boxes, large or small, which are connected to a laptop or even desktop via a USB-c cable. Almost like a USB hub that is overgrown and more multi-function, this docking station not only provides more USB ports but also an HDMI port to connect one or two views. Some even have an Ethernet port when the cable is still much faster than your Wi-Fi.
There is no shortage of this docking station on the market, of course, and some are already known to work with Chromebooks. However, Google is pushing now, certified “works with the Chromebook docking station” which is guaranteed to work with OS Chrome. Of course, this also works with Windows and MacOS so you basically get 3 for 1 accessory.
Working with Chromebook, also adds several guarantees from Google and producers. The dock gets an automatic firmware update along with the Chrome OS update, for example. More importantly, however, Google positions this certified accessory as something that can be relied upon by entrepreneurs and businesses in more formal company settings.
The Chromebook docking station will be announced in the coming months but two accessory makers have announced them. Targus and Hyper have revealed several options, depending on the needs and budget, and they will soon join Acer and Belkin, only for some names.