This is just a quick reminder that the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station is available today for those in the US and Canada to purchase. The Docking Station is the big kahuna of accessories for the new Surface Pro 3 as it allows you to make a full desktop PC out of the hybrid laptop and tablet. The new Docking Station greatly improves upon the previous generation by giving users more of what they want, and I have to admit it is very enticing.
The Docking Station is found online or in stores from Microsoft, Best Buy, Staples, Tiger Direct, and other locations. A cursory check of my Staples showed it as online only; Best Buy does not have any in local stock, though they will ship it to their store for free to pick up. If I had to bet, Microsoft Stores should have them for walk-in purchases (I will try to find out later).
So, what do you get with the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station?
- Gigabit Ethernet port for up to 1 Gbps wired network speeds
- Mini DisplayPort for HD video of up to 4096x2304 resolution
- Five USB ports (four USB 3.0); the Surface's 3.0 USB port is also exposed for six in total
- 48W charging system for charging and usage at the same time
The Surface Pro 3 Docking Station comes at a price though at $199.
However, if you plan on picking up a Surface Pro 3 to replace your laptop and tablet, for an extra $200 clams you can have it replace your desktop too, which could make your Surface the most valuable piece of tech that you own. Users can also attach multiple monitors to the setup, which is detailed on the Surface Blog for new users.
I am going to try and pick one up for my Core i7 Surface Pro 3, which is so far running like a champ, and I'll share my thoughts hopefully over the weekend (if I can find room on my desk).
Is anyone else looking to pick this up for home or office? Share your thoughts in comments if you have experience with the previous Surface docking station.
