Is a Mobile Dock Right for You?

In just a few short decades, mobile devices have risen from useful communication devices to necessary tools in work and our personal lives. We all know this to some degree, yet mobiles are rarely employed to the full extent of their abilities. One such example of this, and the one we want to look at today, is the ability to utilize mobiles as part of docking systems for work and casual use. So what exactly is a docking station, when can they be useful, and where do they fall behind other contemporary options?

Docking Stations

A docking station is simply a unit into which a mobile device is connected. In this instance, we’re referring to those which are connected to keyboards, mice, and screens. In effect, this allows your mobile to act as a sort of computer, extending its use beyond the implied input and display limitations which so often hold back mobile's viability as platforms. These can come in many forms, though the most common is a simple dock that connects wirelessly to peripherals. 

Advantages

Arguably the biggest advantage of using a mobile dock for personal and professional work comes from consistency. As you'll probably be carrying your device with you everywhere anyway, chances are that you're intimately familiar with everything on the device, where it is placed, and what it can do. This means no confusion and the potential for far greater levels of efficiency.

For business, many of us already read emails on the go, such as when taking public transport or waiting in line. Actually responding to these emails when typing out through phone keyboards can be untenable, however. This makes waiting until we get back to the dock, and a regular keyboard and mouse, all the more appreciable.

When it comes to entertainment use, the world is often one of systems that work equally well in both mobile and traditional stationary modes. Online sports betting is one such example, which started on desktops but have since evolved into the mobile sphere. Some players might want to play everything on the go. Others could want to use their time on mobile searching what to try out next in terms of free bets and deposit bonuses and then settling into a more relaxed environment at their home dock. In this way the dock isn't just about replacement, it's about freedom of choice.

Disadvantages

What holds mobiles and docks back often depends on their use-case, and in this regard, the largest downside is difficult to ascertain. For some users, it could be a lack of mobile software that could prove a sticking point. While mobile apps can accomplish a great many things, they can find themselves lacking when it comes to running more specific programs, such as business POS systems.

Another potential disadvantage could relate to the hardware limitations of mobile devices. In many instances, their solid-state memory can be an enormous boon in terms of loading times, but lower storage capacities and relatively lower computational performance could render them ineffective as high-level media players or gaming machines.

Finally, there is also the risk of breakage. There is very little risk of a desktop computer being rendered unusable through droppage, but the ever-present danger for mobiles could easily make an unfortunate user's system unusable. Data backups could help here, but unless a replacement device is available on-hand, then a great deal of productivity might be lost.

Deciding whether a mobile dock could be right for you is a very personal question, and which will undoubtedly change as mobiles continue to grow in their capabilities. As simple computers, gaming systems, and media players, they already currently hold considerable potential. As we go further into the 2020s, this potential will only become more pronounced, and as such we would recommend our readers at least consider this solution in some part of their personal or professional lives.