Review of the HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G2 with HDMI Adapter. Boost and Simplify your Productive

The HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W with HDMI Adapter is a versatile docking station that allows you to connect and power your workspace using a single USB-C Thunderbolt cable. It is compatible with both HP and non-HP laptops, as well as Mac OS X and Windows operating systems. 

With this dock, you can:

• Connect multiple accessories through its various ports.
• Charge your devices.
• Connect to a wired switch or router.
• Extend your laptop screen to dual 4K displays using the included USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter.

Laptops with Thunderbolt technology have special ports that offer several advantages over traditional USB ports such as; 

• Powerful Connection: Thunderbolt ports combine multiple technologies like DisplayPort and PCI Express (PCIe) into a single compact connector. This allows for significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to standard USB ports.
• Daisy Chaining:  Thunderbolt allows for daisy-chaining multiple devices. Using just one Thunderbolt cable on your laptop, you can connect several devices (like monitors, docks, and storage drives) in series.
• Compatibility:  Thunderbolt ports often use the same physical connector as USB-C. However, not all USB-C ports support Thunderbolt functionality. Look for the Thunderbolt logo next to the port on your laptop to confirm its compatibility.

In essence, "Thunderbolt-enabled laptops" signify laptops equipped with these advanced ports that unlock faster data transfer, multi-functionality, and a more streamlined workspace setup.

I bought my HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G2 in 2022 for use on my two Chromebooks, the Thinkpad 13 Chromebook and the HP Chromebook - 15-de0021cl. I figured it would simplify things with my two Chromebooks by allowing me to connect them to peripherals devices, dual monitors with just a single Thunderbolt cable. This eliminates desk clutter and reduces wear and tear on my laptop's ports. The ability to connect multiple peripherals like keyboards, a mouse, an external hard drive, and an additional monitor significantly improves the way I use my Chromebook. Having a larger display and easy access to my peripherals makes everything easy and convenient.

This HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W G2 with HDMI Adapter streamlines connectivity enhances display options, and provides a reliable solution for users seeking a laptop docking station that works.  With its robust features and reliable performance, the HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W with HDMI Adapter is a worthy addition to any workspace

 If you need a high-performance docking station with all the bells and whistles, the HP Thunderbolt Dock is a solid choice. However, if you're looking for a more basic and affordable option, there are plenty of other docking stations available that may better suit your needs.

Ka Tato's Corner March 27, 2024

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HP Chromebook - 15-de0021cl: A Sleek and Reliable Laptop for Chrome OS Lovers

 

Today I'm writing about my HP Chromebook  Model:15-de0021cl. This Chromebook was released by HP  in the summer of 2019, around  four years ago. It is a laptop with 15.6-inc touch screen, an Intel Core i3, 4GB of RAM, and 128 GB of eMMC storage. 

Hardware Specification:

• Product number: 6MX43UA
• Product name : HP Chromebook - 15-de0021cl
• Microprocessor : Intel® Core™ i3-8130U (2.2 GHz base frequency, up to 4 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, 4 MB cache, 2 cores)
• Chipset : Intel® Integrated SoC
• Memory, standard : 4 GB DDR4-2133 SDRAM (onboard)
• Video graphics : Intel® UHD Graphics 620, Integrated
• Hard drive : 128 GB eMMC
• Optical drive: Optical drive not included
• Display : 15.6" diagonal FHD IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit touch screen (1920 x 1080)
• Wireless connectivity : Intel® Wireless-AC 7265 802.11ac (2x2) Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® 4.2 Combo
• Expansion slots: 1 microSD media card reader
• External ports : 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C™ (5 Gb/s signaling rate, Power Delivery 3.0, HP Sleep and Charge); 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (HP Sleep and Charge)
• Minimum dimensions (W x D x H) : 35.8 x 24.6 x 1.79 cm
• Weight : 1.81 kg
• Power supply type : 45 W USB Type-C™ adapter
• Battery type : 3-cell, 60 Wh Li-ion
• Webcam : HP Wide Vision HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone
• Audio features : B&O, dual speakers
• Operating System :  Chrome OS

The  HP Chromebook  15-de0021cl is a budget friendly laptop, that offers excellent performance. It is powered by a Intel Core i3-8130U (2.2 GHz base frequency, up to 4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 4 MB cache, 2 cores), 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is still a lot even in today's standard and a Full HD Display. 

What I Like:

• The build is nice. Feels sturdy and durable
• Full HD display
• Good Performance
• Long Battery Life
• Touchscreen Display
• 2 USB-C and
• Supports Power Delivery 3.o
• Supports Google Play
• Supports Built-in Linux Box
• Compatible with most USB-C Laptop Docking that Supports the PD protocol
• Micro SD Card Slot

What I don't like:

• I find it a little heavy

Overall, the HP Chromebook 15-de0021cl is a good choice for students, budget-minded users, or anyone who just needs a laptop on the go that can handle everyday tasks. It is a good value for the price and offers good performance for its specs.

I'm an Android Phone user, and having Google Play on my HP Chromebook allows me to install and use the same apps I have on my phone. I also have Linux Box enabled so I can install desktop apps like Mozilla Firefox, Brave, and Libre Office.  One upgrade I made was to get the HP Thunderbolt Dock 120W with HDMI Adapter, Universal USB-C Docking Station, this lets me use my HP Chromebook with Dual Monitors, an external keyboard, and a mouse, I can hook it up to my switch via RJ45 ethernet wired connection.

Recommendation:

After having two Chromebooks, the Thinkpad 13 Chromebook and this one the HP Chromebook 15-de0021cl, I think, for now, I wouldn't be getting any Chromebooks, not for a long time. Unless Google removes the update limitation, Google makes Chrome OS Flex available to End of Life Chromebooks. My Thinkpad 13 Chromebook stopped getting updates last July, and this Chromebook will stop getting updates in the summer of 2025. I feel that Google must still support older hardware, just like in Windows. At least with Windows-based computers, I can install a Linux distro on older computers seamlessly. Also, the prices of Chromebooks are getting expensive, and none of the hardware is upgradable (cannot add ram and replace ssds). So for now I won't be buying any Chromebooks

Ka Tato's Corner November 23, 2023

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Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook Review - Celeron 3855U, 4GB RAM, 16GB eMMC

My Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Choromebook will be seven years old this coming December 2023, although it doesn't get updates from Google anymore, it's still as reliable as it was when I bought it back in 2016.

The Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook is a budget-friendly Chromebook that offers good performance and durable build quality. It is powered by a Celeron 3855U processor, 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of eMMC storage. This configuration is sufficient for most basic tasks, such as web browsing, checking email, video/movie streaming, and using online productivity apps.

The ThinkPad 13 Chromebook has a 13.3-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. The display could be more sharp, but it is bright and clear enough for most tasks. The viewing angles are also good and in cases I need a second display, I connect my usb-3 AOC e1659Fwu 15.6-Inch Ultra Slim 1366x768 Res.

This Thinkpad Chromebook although old, came with two USB-C and supports the PD or  Power Delivery over USB. I'm able to use my  USB C Laptop Docking Station with Dual Monitor, which I bought from Amazon. with this tiny docking station, I'm able to have two additional monitors and additional USB-3 ports, RJ45, and two DisplayPort. You can read the short review that I wrote here.

This Chromebook has a comfortable keyboard like all Thinkpads with good key travel and feedback. The trackpad is also responsive and accurate.

This ThinkPad 13 Chromebook has a good battery life. It can easily last for 8-10 hours on a single charge. This makes it a good choice for students, mobile professionals, and anyone else who needs a laptop that they can use all day long.

Pros:

• Good performance for a budget Chromebook
• Durable build quality
• Long battery life
• Comfortable keyboard
• Responsive trackpad
• Supports Google Play and Android Apps
• Supports Linux on Chromebooks
• Two USB-C Ports
• Supports the PD or  Power Delivery over USB

Cons:

• Not ideal for demanding tasks
• The display is not particularly sharp
• Stop Getting Updates June 2023

This Thinkpad Chromebook 13 is durable, and has a good build quality like any ThinkPad, after more than six years, the battery still holds a good amount of charge at 8 hours. I still use it here and there, but because of limited storage capacity and lack of new and latest updates from Google, I only use it for occasional browsing and some YouTube streaming.

Ka Tato's Corner November 01, 2023

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Lenovo ThinkPad L520 Review: A Durable and Reliable Laptop

This isn't a new laptop, in fact, most people would consider this obsolete, but, this Lenovo Thinkpad L520, just works and doesn't want to retire anytime soon. I bought mine refurbished from Lenovo, back in late 2012, and it's been my workhorse up until last month. My L520 runs on an Intel Core i5-2540M 2.6GHz.

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is a 15.6-inch business laptop that was released in 2011. It is a durable and reliable laptop that is well-suited for a variety of use cases, including business, education, and personal use.

Specifications:

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is available with a variety of specifications, including:

•  Processor: Intel Core i3-2310M 2.1GHz, Intel Core i5-2410M 2.3GHz, Intel Core i5-2540M 2.6GHz, or Intel Core i7-2640M 2.8GHz
• Memory: 4GB or 8GB DDR3
• Storage: 320GB, 500GB, or 750GB 7200RPM HDD, or 128GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch 1366x768 LED or 1600x900 LED
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional or Windows 8 Pro

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a classic ThinkPad design, with a black chassis and a red TrackPoint pointing stick. It is a well-built laptop that is made from durable materials. The lid and keyboard deck are both made of plastic, but they feel sturdy and well-made. The hinges are also very sturdy and can hold the lid in place at any angle.

Keyboard and Trackpad

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a spill-resistant keyboard with large, well-spaced keys. The keys have a good amount of travel and feedback, making them comfortable to type on for long periods. The keyboard also has a dedicated number pad, a nice feature for business users.

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 also has a large touchpad that is responsive and accurate. The touchpad has two dedicated buttons that are easy to click. The laptop also has a TrackPoint pointing stick, which is a signature feature of ThinkPad laptops. The TrackPoint pointing stick is a good alternative to the touchpad, especially if you are using the laptop on a desk or other flat surface.

Display

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a 15.6-inch LED display with a resolution of 1366x768 or 1600x900. The display is not the brightest or most colorful display on the market, but it is good enough for most tasks, such as browsing the web, checking email, and working on documents. The display also has a matte finish, which helps to reduce glare.

Performance

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is powered by a variety of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. These processors are powerful enough to handle most tasks, including multitasking, running office applications, and browsing the web. The laptop also has Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics, which are good enough for basic graphics tasks, such as watching videos and playing casual games.

Battery Life

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 has a 6-cell battery that can provide up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge. This is good battery life for a 15.6-inch laptop.

Conclusion

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 is a durable and reliable laptop that is well-suited for various use cases, including business, education, and personal use. It has a good keyboard, a large touchpad, and a long-lasting battery. The laptop also has various performance and storage options, so you can choose the right configuration for you.

Pros

• Durable and reliable build quality
• Good keyboard and touchpad
• Long-lasting battery
• Variety of performance and storage options
• Compatible with  Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Sation with USB 3.0 - 90W - 433715

Cons

• The display is not the brightest or most colorful
• Graphics performance is not suitable for demanding games or video editing

My Setup

I have made some upgrades to my L520:

1.  Docking Station, I got the Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 Docking Sation with USB 3.0 - 90W - 433715 this expanded my ports like the USB Ports, Ethernet port, it gave me VGA, DVI and Display Port for external monitors, also the docking station allowed me to use my L520 with Dual Monitors while the Lid is close.
2. Max out ram to 16gb,
3. Upgrade Hard Drive to a 1TB SSD
4. Remove DVD drive and replace it with a Hard Drive caddy, and installed a 2tb SSD,now I have 2 internal SSD
5. From Windows 7 pro, I upgraded to Windows 10 pro, when the beta version of Windows 11 pro was released, it automatically downloaded it and upgraded my Windows 10 to 11. So  now even though my hardware isn't supported, my L520 is running Windows 11 and keeps getting regular update.

Overall

The Lenovo ThinkPad L520 was an excellent companion it is a durable and reliable laptop. It is a good choice for business users, students, and anyone else who needs a laptop that can handle everyday tasks.

Ka Tato's Corner October 26, 2023

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USB C Laptop Docking Station with Dual Monitor

 This is the GISSMO USB C Laptop Docking Station with Dual Monitor. It quite small for  a docking station with this many features, 13 in 1 Triple Display, USB C Hub Multiple Adapter with 2 HDMI, VGA, RJ45, 10Gbps USB C/A 3.1, 100W PD, USB 3.0/2.0, SD/TF, for Dell/Surface/HP/Lenovo Laptops.

Specification:

• PD (100W) - Power Delivery over usb
• 10Gps USB-C 3.1 Gen 2
• 2 USB-A 2.0
• 2 USB-A 3.0
• 1 USB-A 3.1 Gen 2
• 2 HDMI 4K30hz
• SD/TF -104Mbps

Pros:

• Small and light perfect for travel
• Easy to carry, No power cord neeeded.
• Uses my computers USB-c Power Delivery

Cons:

• If laptop/computers does not support the PD Protocol, all HDMI and VGA port won't work. It will only serve as a USB hub.

This is a great mini docking station, plenty of ports to extend you needs.  I wasn't planning on buying this, but it was on sale for only $18 on Amazon, it was a really good deal compare to $69. I read some of the negative reviews before I bought this. I think most of the problem stem from their laptop not having a PD or Power Delivery over USB. This mini docking station connects to a laptop via USB-C, if the laptops usb-c does not support the PD protocol, external monitors would not work. In my case, I tried this on my HP Chromebook 15 which support USB-C power delivery, and it work flawlessly, I also use it on my older Thinkpad Chromebook 13 that also supports USB-C power delivery and it worked. It also works with my Thinkpad T490 that also has the Type C PD Charging Port for power delivery and thunderbolt 3 /4 / USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 / USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 to support multiple-display and it didn't have any problem. However it did not work on my son's ASuS laptop, ASUS VivoBook 14 Model # F1400EA-SB34. To be specific if the USB-C of  your laptop does not support the PD Protocol, external monitors won't work. This mini docking station will just serve as usb hub and card reader.

Recommendation:

I like this  GISSMO USB C Laptop Docking Station for it's size, lots of ports and functionality. If you have a compatible device this will serve as a great mini docking station for a home office setup with multiple monitors. I don't use this in my home office because I already have a dedicated Lenovo ThinkPad Ultra Docking Station for my thinkpad T490 and I also have the hp usb-c power dock for my HP Chromebook 15. I use this mainly on the go and I keep it in my bag. 

If you are in the market for a USB c mini docking station, I can highly recommend this, just make sure your device meets the requirement, read the entire description and make sure your device is supported.

Get the GISSMO USB C Laptop Docking Station with Dual Monitor here on Amazon.

Ka Tato's Corner October 04, 2023

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