Surface Dock

This is actually quite brilliant though design wise almost too functional looking. It gives power, 4 USB 3.0 ports 2 extra display ports, a gigabit Ethernet port and media jack for the surface pro 4 (and 3). It's very solid, has a rubber underside to prevent slipping and a single magnetic lead to attach to the surface pro. It makes it a good alternative to a desktop. Only comment is like most of the surface accessories it's a bit pricey so look for online offers.

I was a bit uncertain of what would be in the box as none of the reviews made this clear. The unit comes complete with its on power supply, so if using at work, you can leave your original power supply at home. The unit plugs into the surface pro where the original power supply fits and the this lead has extra functions over the standard lead as all of the functions of USB ports, network cabling and display ports come through the lead. The USB port on the surface pro is therefore free although with 4 ports on the dock you should not need it. The display port is also free, so potentially you could run three screens, but I have not tried this myself.

I purchased one of these so that I could connect two monitors and a keyboard to my Surface Pro 4. I initially plugged it in without monitors so that I could use the extra USB ports and it was fine. However as soon as I plugged in a monitor to the dock it killed all network connectivity (although plugging a monitor directly into the Surface was fine). I looked this up on various forums and it became apparent that this was a well known fault, so I requested a return and was very promptly (i.e. next day before I'd even returned the item) sent a replacement by Amazon. Happily, I can report that this new device now works perfectly with 2 monitors, a USB keyboard, an Ethernet cable, and several other USB devices. It does require that you work from a wired connection when you're docked which can be quite annoying if there's only Wi-Fi (although I haven't updated the firmware yet, so this may have been resolved). The downsides (other than the aforementioned Wi-Fi issue) are that the monitor sockets are mini-DP. Given that even the Lumia 950 dock has HDMI and that DP monitors are generally more expensive, this is a bit annoying as DP to non-DP cables can be a bit of a lottery - but it's not a showstopper. It also worth mentioning that you can continue to use the Surface as a monitor even when docked (so it's basically a 3 monitor PC). On the bright side this is a very compact device, which can be viewed as simply a heavy power supply. Connectivity is via a cable that plugs into the Surface's power socket which makes it easy to leave on your desk and dock at your leisure, but it's also light and small enough to fit in a laptop bag. It allows me to use my Surface like a desktop when I'm at my desk, then just unclip it and walk away with it like a tablet for meetings. Highly recommended and actually delivers on the promise of a high-powered premium compact desktop device.

An expensive but, for some, necessary expansion dock for the Surface Pro 3 and 4 but its appearance does nothing to enhance the ulta-slim Surface Pro; its blocky design could possibly benefit by being smaller and less rectangular and a change from its all black colour. It not only provides an extra 4 USB 3.0 ports but 2 HDMI ports that potentially support 4K graphics and a Gigabit Ethernet port. There is also an audio socket either for headphones or powered speakers. A USB-C port would have provided some benefit if the connector's bandwidth supports it and if included. It uses its own substantial power adapter which connects via a common form of co-axial socket and also powers the Surface Pro via the same magnetically-connected port as the standard power adapter, which it replaces. Its PSU, which is virtually identical in size to the hub, has some extra power to offer and appears not to get become quite as warm as the standard power unit when used for a few hours. It is no shrinking violet and is far heavier than it would appear. A normal 4-port USB hub has been sometimes used in the past - it was originally purchased to use with another laptop - but it obviously does not provide the same connectivity as the dock although several USB adapters could be purchased to provide the same functionality as this but they would consume most or all of the hub's ports. There is currently no single alternative to this Dock that provides similar connectivity. If you frequently use the Surface Pro and need some or most of the Dock's additional connectivity, then this is something to consider as it is so useful. It adds so much extra to the Surface's connectivity that it transforms the Surface Pro into a virtual desktop PC. There are reports that it cannot simultaneously support two 4K monitors but that is because some of the Surface models may not fully support MST (multi-screen technology); the top-of-range model may!

Unfortunately I have had to spend 4-5 hours onto Microsoft support trying to resolve issues. The Mac Doc seems to struggle with connecting to screens through the Mac Doc. I have two ViewSonic screens that require HDMI but the surface only has mini display ports. I am using two mini display port to HDMI cables. Both work fine when connected from monitors directly to the surface. However, when the Mac Dock is used the Surface blinks on and off and the screens remain blank. It does work intermittently but it seems more by luck than judgement and Microsoft Support have no answers. I have had a replacement MacDock but have same problems. I have stumbled on a fix that works for the moment. Boot up the computer (with Macdock and mini display cables not plugged in) then restart computer (quickly plugging the MacDock in with both mini display port cable plugged into it) then it seems to work. No idea why. So this is an expensive product that doesn't work out the box as it should and Microsoft don't know what is wrong with it, and it has led to many wasted working hours I can not score it any higher than one star. I just hope my work around might help out others with the same problem.

pondered on this purchase for a little while as its not cheap... and finally got fed up with my mess of wires and USB boxes. I also run two screen off my surface using the one video port on the Surface and a USB socket... I also have various backup drives, wireless mouse and keyboard dongle etc etc. to plug in and never mind audio speakers which tend to work better plugged in than with bluetooth. The clincher was two of my USB 3 splitters causing problems ... if you put cheaper product under load don't expect it to perform well in the long term. So I took the plunge and shelled out the cash for what I hoped would be a product of a similar quality and build as my Surface 4... anyway plugged it in and it was all just working with no hassle. I immediatly used ALL the sockets, video, audio, network and all the USB ports two of which plugged with 4 way splitters in each meaning that I have 10 USB 3 ports available to me and it has worked like a dream... I have not checked out everything yet but file transfer speeds have improved immeasurably. I am having no video problems all my screens are working well and it is so simple just plug the docking station into the power socket and it all runs from there while it also charges your Surface.... The build is good as well, it has that "it won't break if you drop it" feel... alltogether a good purchase ... I also understand that it will be forward compatible with the next generation of Surface computers so looks like I'm in clover, at least so far as this docking station is concerned.... I gotto say than none of this kit is cheap but I have been a surface user since the Pro 2 and this stuff just keeps on working unlike, two other laptops that I have bought in the last three years so as you can tell I am a happy bunny!

If you buy a Surface, then do not get it unless you are prepared to spend some more on the dock and the type cover. The surface is a really neat device by itself, but add a dock to it and voila, through a simple magnetized connector, you get Ethernet, 2 screens (you will need a mini display port adapter for each screen), 4 usb ports, a headphone jack and power. I have used this for the past 2 weeks and all i can say is that the brilliance of the design stands out with repetitive use. I set everything up at work and left it there. I come in the morning, connect the dock - fully fledged PC which replaced my work desktop. Have a meeting - disconnect the dock and you have the most portable thing for note taking, conferencing etc.

Its heavy, its chunky, but its a great docking station! - the addition of the 2 graphics parts as well as the multiple usb make it a great expansion and now this is the perfect replacement for my desk top. Whilst it is expensive, the build quality is great, and it works very well unlike some other 3rd party expansion ports I have used with Surfaces before.