docking station

dock·ing station

(dŏk′ĭng)n.1. A device to which a laptop or notebook computer can be attached to provide easy access to a power supply and a collection of peripherals that are typically connected to desktop computers.2. A plug-in device with built-in speakers to which a portable media player can be attached, allowing audio files to be played out loud. In both senses also called dock.

docking station

n (Electronics) a device used to connect one appliance to another, esp a portable computer and a desktop computer, to make use of its external power supply, monitor, and keyboard, esp to enable the transfer of data between the machines

dock′ing sta`tion

n. a small desktop cabinet, usu. containing disk drives and ports for connection to peripherals, into which a laptop may be inserted so as to give it the functionality of a desktop computer. [1990–95]

docking station

[′däk·iŋ ‚stā·shən] (computer science) A device that connects a portable computer with peripherals such as an external monitor, keyboard, and so on, allowing a portable computer to function as a desktop computer.

docking station

(hardware)A desktop mains powered unit into which alaptop or other portable computer can be connected via fixedconnectors at the rear of the computer to provide quick andconvenient connection of peripherals not normally used witha laptop. These can include power supply, expansion cards,additional storage, an external monitor, network card,CD-ROM, full-size keyboard, printer, and mouse. Thealternative would require each of the above to be connected tothe laptop individually.

docking station

(1) A cradle for a portable media player that serves to charge and connect the unit to a receiving device. See Apple dock and Android dock.

(2) A base station for a laptop that turns it into a desktop system. Instead of plugging multiple devices into a laptop to make it desktop ready, the keyboard, mouse, monitor and printer are permanently plugged into the docking station. In order to switch from portable to desktop use, the laptop snaps into the docking station via USB or a single special-purpose connector. In addition, the docking station may have built-in peripherals such as an optical drive and speakers. See port replicator and wireless dock.