Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Docking Station Review

Lisa Gade reviews the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Docking Station. This doc designed specifically for the Surface Pro 3 by Microsoft has 3 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, mini DisplayPort, gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm audio and power ports. It sells for $199 and comes with a charger that plugs directly into the dock. It has a matte black finish and sliding sides that lock the tablet into place without blocking ports on the tablet itself.
* Don’t miss our Surface Pro 3 Review here: www.mobiletechreview.com/noteb...

[@Mateus01234]

Dear Lord... I need this tablet. The best thing I've ever seen.

[@thatguy6769]

Mateus Luan Maciel its kickass

[@jothain]

It's quite funny that many are commenting as it would _have_ to be purchased with sp3. It's an accessory. If you don't need it absolutely don't buy it. Yes it's expensive agreed, but I don't find price overwhelming if you're in need of very mobile device that can be extended to use in home/office desktop with accessories like scanner, printer, external display etc. That is one quick dock to use if such properties are needed. Btw. most "OEM" docks are in same price range or even more expensive.

[@Danial3w]

Every thing looks great except not having a direct HDMI port

[@MetalX87]

solid review. Thanks for posting. Just ordered one of these. Absolutely loving my surface pro 3.

[@fanofmicrosoft8608]

Found out a new portable Microsoft Surface Pro 3 compatible docking station in Amazon. This eTauro DUC is awesome ! I can take my Sp3 to travel now.

[@devonhobson8009]

Lisa your reviews are great! Keep up the good work

[@NekoMichi]

Thanks for the review - just picked one up secondhand for £25 and it's one of the best things I could get for my Surface.

[@rosshilton]

I have had one for years, and still use it with a Pro 7. I have a 2Tb drive stuck to the back shelf of the docking station. Worksv great

[@ZehEduardo]

Keep up the good reviews Lisa!

[@lalotavo216]

The SP3 looks like the Desktop, Ultrabook and Tablet on the GO. Has a nice resolution display,ports, keyboard and enough hardware for movies, some games and web surfing.

[@DakumaMusic]

Slick! Nice improvement over last gen.

[@debendragurung3033]

The dock is awesome. I would love to have a smart dock next, atleast with a Bluetooth and WiFi router that connects to many smart peripherals of your home. Like the smart bulbs, TV, humidistat, security cameras etc etc

[@zeb5760]

If you keep the Surface Pro 3 in the station, will it wreck the battery?

[@prettyboy1970]

This is a great docking station. I use one at work. My only gripe is that every now & then, it will stop charging the Surface. I'm not sure whether it's a software glitch or a problem with the dock itself. Restarting my computer gets it charging again.

[@smithylfc2011]

Is it possible to use the SP3 dock without it connected to the power adaptor?? So that the SP3 basically runs on battery power even though the dock is attached??

[@gameboya]

The surface pro 3 is powerful enough to run any program, is super portable, runs tablet and pc apps, AND is basically a wacom cintiq ($900 and up alone for those). As a digital artist and creative director, nothing comes remotely close to this product. Surface Pro 3 is the best tech I've ever owned. Also it has a display port which is compatible with HDMI and has a micro sd slot. usb 3.0.. no disc drive?? who cares. Haven't used a disc in years now.

[@SethSetiadha]

I havent checked, regardless the design or the size. Which one would you suggest, pro4 dock or pro 3 dock lisa?is there many advantages with pro4 dock?i do like the office feel with dock from pro3.

[@Funkadelic-Freak]

So, you can connect two 1080p monitor with mini display adapter to HDMI on to SP3, if you buy the docking station. 1 on the back of the dock and 2n on SP3 it self right. If you have 2 monitor + SP3 that is 3 display right. Is that possible. Respons please.

[@skudlugs]

Best reviewer ever, very good at her job.

[@ChristySeattle]

Excellent review, and very well presented.

[@xboxone2943]

Hi! Ive seen a similar (or the same) design here in Germany but the box says its only for the surface 3 not the pro. The seller told me to buy the newest model which supports the pro, but I don't like. It looks like a brick! Any suggestions? Would it really work or you actually have one made for the pro that looks the same as the one ive found over here?

[@DouglasHopkins]

Thorough review, went way beyond Microsoft's tech support help, for whatever standard of service that may be! Thank you.

[@aeroeng3]

thank you lisa,one more good review!

[@ryaneslava7111]

Right to the point, very good review! I think I'm going to buy it.

[@sharie6]

Amazing review. Thank you so much!

[@HUUTAJA2]

can i use mini display port on sp3 same time with docking station displayport?

[@darthenx2585]

Could you use the external monitor only and shut off the screen on the surface?

[@jasonhevans01]

I want to get one for my mother-in-law. Will it work with a external touchscreen monitor?

[@greenleaph5145]

I finally have this last piece. Took my 5 years to get everything, but I got it =D I spent about $70 new for this docking station at Offerup.

[@petrosmolyviatis5361]

MobileTechReview how is the surface pro 3 for drawing? could it compete to the cintiq companion 2?

[@donvaughn4701]

the Surface Pro is a multi purpose device, only when you have purchased every peripheral

[@w3r0ification]

Don Vaughn not true I connect my camera with out buying extra nothing I can have my sd card with no extra tools 😑 I do all my work and so far I haven't feel like I need extra staffs what it has is enough

[@deejustd3285]

Does the docking station tell you when the surface is charged?

[@TeknoBlast]

Great review. In the near future, I'm thinking of giving my Pro 3 to my wife and then purchase the dock for her. My question is this, can you close the keyboard cover on the Surface and then use a external KB and external monitor only. Kind of like placing the Surface and dock to to the side. I was curious if you close the KB cover, will the Surface go into sleep mode, even if you're going to use an external KB and monitor.

[@iGamer777]

+TeknoBlast's Ultimate Gaming Windows has a setting for behavior when the lid is closed, I'm pretty confident that Surface will not go to sleep if you set it not to, even regardless if it's in the dock or not

[@doriangraczyk]

Is it possible to have 2 or 3 additional displays? or it will have troubles ? or heat to much?

[@DANWISEM]

want to know if this model can drive 2 external monitor? thank you in advance advance

[@thatLukeKneller]

I love how neutral you are in your reviews. Thank you! Reporting is so bias these days and it was a pleasure listening to your videos.

[@WotanDK]

Can you lock the docking station and Surface via the keylock or is it only the docking station that is getting locked?

[@z3y687k6qiG1]

Lisa, you're the best. thanks so much for the review. really trust your insights.

[@easy2120]

Excellent review

[@sunburntwistie]

I was just wondering, does anyone out there know if there are adapters put there that make use of the DOCK/POWER charging port on the surface pro 3 for additional ports for data transfer?

[@yodingdongyo]

Really nice presentation good job

[@JohnFett]

Excellent review. Thank you so much Mobile Tech Review. I am bookmarking your web site. John

[@superfatchao14]

Dang Lisa, you're cranking out the reviews.

[@rrhoads007]

I use a Plugable UD-3900 USB 3.0 docking station which has two display outs (HDMI, DVI) as well as 4x USB 2.0 ports, 2x USB 3.0 ports, ethernet, and audio. It uses virtual display drivers which support decent resolutions (2560 x 1440 for HDMI and 2048 x 1152 for DVI both at 60 Hz). It could probably run at higher resolutions but at a lower refresh rate. I use both of these ports as well as the displayport on the Surface to have a 4-monitor setup including the Surface's screen. Best of all, the UD-3900 is currently (December 2014) $100 cheaper than the Microsoft dock and since this is all done through a USB 3.0 cable, the hinge on the Surface can still be used to change the viewing angle. The Surface has become a true laptop/desktop/tablet replacement for me, but it depends on how you intend to use it.

[@MW-wp5fb]

very nice presentation

[@spd6147]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@kevlarre4560]

Nice review.

[@lalotavo216]

MobileTechReview Hi Lisa, I'm looking something to replace my iMac 27. So, I need a desktop and a laptop when is neccesary. Which option do you recomend me?,: 1. Henge Dock with Macbook Pro Retina or 2. Microsoft Surface pro 3 + Dock

[@Jakelegofilms]

lalotavo216 I say SP3. Macs are really slow (IF they are running 10.10)

[@eattolive1944]

Gadgets galore! Just give me my MacBook Air! Or, any lightweight laptop. But, thanks Lisa, I do subscribe and watch all your videos. Appreciate your fairness and thoroughness.

[@doodlleus]

good review, thanks

[@jeffrobins5200]

Will this work on a Surface Pro 7?

[@Dan50193]

Great review, do the usb ports have more power in the dock mode? And does the fan on the SP3 run more in dock mode?

[@CelmorSmith]

The USB port on the SP3 will have the same power, but the dock can only function when power is plugged into it I guess and so the ports and all of that has full power for USB 3 fullspeed ore to charge things and not like a USB port on other things that has to share the throughput. There are docks that could work if you just plug them into the USB 3 port but the dock then has to share the throughput and balance that, and you also probably can't try another 1 or 2 displays from the dock, which would be possible with this dock here.

[@mobiletechreview]

The fan doesn't run more often when docked. The USB ports output the standard 5v, 500 mAh suitable to power and peripheral.

[@Dan50193]

Ok thank you, that's good to hear!

[@learner4life31]

hello Lisa, I have a thinkpad t450s and am thinking about getting a docking station. 1.)do you think docking stations are problemadtic for thinkpad line, and 2.) could I run in to any lagging ?

[@Jan0ngmayne]

Hi MobileTechReview, can it be configured to use external monitor only?

[@mobiletechreview]

Yes.

[@MaxDLee]

Does HDMI support 2k video?

[@AMINE-kc5fk]

Good review

[@vilmabanegas4451]

What is the model # for this docking station?

[@DANWISEM]

can handle two external with high resolution on 1920 x 1080

[@thaiscaetano4765]

Anyone can tell me what the size of the power Port, cause i broken mine The power Port of the station

[@dangoruiz3259]

And they say Apple is overpriced....$200 for that? Great coverage of the Surface Pro 3 though Lisa 👍. Love your reviews!

[@KenHeslip]

$200 for a full desktop isn't a bad price.

[@smithydll]

Belkin dock for Apple is the same price and doesn't even include a thunderbolt cable or even charge an Apple. store.apple.com/us/product/HB865ZM/A/belkin-thunderbolt-express-dock

[@asdfrozen]

Ken Heslip Not a full desktop ... Not even close.

[@jdn94]

smithydll But the thing is, is that the Belkin is a 3rd party device. Apple isn't in charge of pricing a product from a company that isn't there own. You can get a Belkin dock for slightly cheaper with the thunderbolt cable.

[@smithydll]

In that case the Apple Thunderbolt display is the closest Apple branded analogue, and it is $999.

[@lmrk5705]

Great vid.....thanks!

[@dicesse]

Compatible with Surface Pro 4?

[@iamie153]

The price does seem a bit excessive, as is the keyboard. However if compared to the price of an ultrabook & a tablet of this quality, the numbers still work. Great that it has it has a separate power supply. All in all, well done MS.

[@asianflex]

I still wonder y they don’t include manually controllable fans in any surface devices

[@anzatzi]

I dont see any problems with this price point, esp with how cleanly the functionality is implemented. Some sort of auto display options feature would have been nice for true plug and chug. Minimal design appreciated

[@cdsdior7208]

i want the sp3 :(

[@hugoc8278]

I set up my monitor and its working but there is no audio coming from either the surface or the monitor.

[@cinnamonbeardstud]

I had the same problem but the fix was easy. When you put it in a dock your default audio device switches to the dock, but if you don't have external speakers plugged in it wont make any sound. Just go into your settings to change the default audio device to the surface itself. If you use headphones, plug them into the surface (not the dock) next and then set those as the default. This will make it so when the headphones are in the audio works, but then it reverts to the surface speakers when you take them out. If you get external speakers later just remember to set those as the default followed by headphones. :]

[@gadgetfl]

Best tech reviewer on KZbin

[@GreatOne0815]

I can understand, that you want to stand an iPad or Android tablet in a dock, but why does the Surface need a "stand"? It has an standing option on it's own. They just could have made a box with all the ports and a cable running to the Surface. Would be much more flexible.

[@CelmorSmith]

More flexible but inconvenient, most people will just sit and look at the monitor at one angle and have a keyboard plugged into that thing or use a monitor anyway.

[@Cynchronia]

***** most of these items have wireless options (mouse printer, keyboard). Lisa always shows the more affordable options so everyone can feel included. This product is really only useful to power users who want to connect multiple displays. It will not appeal to everyone.

[@zorawaters6690]

a laptop that parts are sold separately im starting to rethink getting this

[@sayresyDevino]

docks have always been an expensive addition. Believe me the SP3 is a big hit with corporate world which reflects the pricing.

[@ikg2004]

No part #?

[@luisuramos1]

I don't think Lisa is old at all- kinda of pretty if you asked me- btw- I got my dock for $130 at Amazon! :)

[@AlexFordv17]

Does anyone know whether or not you can use the Surface Pro 3 as a monitor / input device for my desktop computer? I want to display my desktop on my tablet without having to use 3rd party software that uses the internet.

[@gebraset]

Unless I am missing something, I am highly disappointed that a small fan isn't built into the docking station in order to keep the Surface Pro 3 from throttling processor/graphics speeds due to high temperatures while performing demanding tasks. Yes, I know it isn't a gaming laptop, but as videos on KZbin have shown, games lose quite a bit of performance due to temperature throttling when the device gets warm. It's just upsetting that for $199, you can't get a $5-$10 low RPM fan.

[@CelmorSmith]

It's a shame that MS is not giving any information to the bus this docks plugs into so 3rd parties could also provide more accessories and tools. that bus really has to provide much throughput if they can provide these extra ports and also drive a few displays at the same time.

[@Gotsdagoodz]

I NEED THE DOCKING STATION

[@ythaloluigui]

there are thuderbolt

[@FerdinandZapanta]

Please do Alienware 14 Review

[@jetsamjetsam]

WHAT TEHF UCK FOR $200 U CAN BUILD AN ITX COMP

[@Nando85ec]

Holy mess! I kinda liked it until you started showing cables and cables and peripherals... Hmmm there's a shift in the market of portable devices, hard to choose the right interfase that fits my needs... I like how displays have become compact but I still like to use a physical keyboard... and orient my self the screen at the right angle!

[@DaniiCEO]

£160 in the UK. It is disgusting. Was really considering purchasing this dock alongside a Surface Pro 3 however I don't think I will get either! Macbook Pro Retina it is for me!

[@mattzamg]

I wish they would have found a way to put a dedicated GPU inside, like in the old VAIO Z's. I wouldn't mind if that added a few hundred dollars and a few pounds, and I would have a reason to buy the Surface Pro 3.

[@ahmada.562]

That would be extra-ordinary and it's actually possible 'cause the charging port on the Surface is a disguised Thunderbolt port...shout it out to @Panos Panay on twitter.

[@CelmorSmith]

Do you mean inside the SP3or the dock? I can understand the latter one and would agree with that. But the Tablet itself isn't meant for portable gaming, you should buy a real laptop and not an ultrabook then. I would have wished to see a Thunderbolt on the SP3 though, the PCIe lanes on that thing could have provided a plugable graphics card into this i.e. but companies always limit the options.

[@zhoujoey306]

Surface pro with dedicated high performance GPU, that would be bad ass....!!

[@napro62]

Of course that would be nice. At the same time, battery life may decrease.

[@ahmada.562]

Kris K. Raspur Not really, 'cause it would be integrated into the dock...that way, you get desktop-class dedicated graphics when using the Surface Pro as a desktop (always connected to power).

[@YoungShyne123]

WINDOW KEY+ P = DISPLAY OPTIONS. YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO SETTINGS

[@twoawsomegamersBR]

Do an international giveaway for the Samsung ativ 9 plus

[@mustafakoluk3965]

İ want this:(((

[@chaosjacky]

Really cool docking station.. but i'll just wait for a third party vendor to design the same thing for $100 or more cheaper

[@djtoomey1264]

my fan runs non stop just using the internet.

[@NeivGabay]

Display port is clearly superior to hdmi

[@CelmorSmith]

The only downside is that HDMI is already that mainstream and everyone use it so most laptop manufactures are always pushed to provide also an HDMI port.

[@debendragurung3033]

So this is ipad +macbook+imac all in one........

[@avenginglettuce]

debendra gurung I've been a Mac user for 15 years now, but this setup is really turning my head.

[@DominicRiv]

This is what we call reverse engineering a laptop. And making it 3x as exepense. People are going to look back in this time in tech history and laugh thinking, "how could have consumers be so dumb?"

[@abjay6093]

Microsoft is doing something great....... haters just mad because they've been brainwashed by other companies. With this little machine, I can edit movies, graphics and music. A desktop, laptop, and a tablet......you just can't beat the surface pro 3

[@benthesheep24]

Other companies... the terms overpriced, 'designer', devices come to mind!

[@WWeaselNL]

The dock and keyboard are just to expensive :( I still love the surface but for the price you can get a better desktop. However, a desktop is not portable so it's not a fair comparison.

[@benthesheep24]

Yes, I agree. That is why I am considering the pro 3 as a laptop/tablet for college. I can use the tablet on the train journey, and the laptop for work whilst there and on the train too! I can then come home and dock the tablet to backup my notes to an external HDD and use it for additional notes alongside my i7 desktop! For me, that is the perfect combination!

[@WWeaselNL]

benthesheep24 it is, but still expensive xD

[@SniperReady]

You would be extremely hard pressed to buy a desktop with the same specifications as the Surface Pro 3, including the high resolution display, components and digitizer. Most of the people who compare specs and say "I can build it cheaper" do not consider what all goes into this. When they finish their build and show it, it always lacks components that the other device includes, like a display. On top of all that, the device is compact, well designed and backed by respectable R&D.

[@CelmorSmith]

SniperReady I agree. Tried to somewhat match the specs in a desktop configuration (just for fun), final price was 600€ incl. taxes, 3/5th of the SP3 Price. Yeah, still gonna buy the SP3 for University within the next month. (geizhals.at/?cat=WL-458903 my list but is in German)

[@vinylsquad7776]

I wonder if it can run Modern Warfare 2019 in 4K? 😂

[@ozgesagiroglu]

looks useful but 200$ is insane.

[@w3r0ification]

I have a surface pro 3 I didn't know Microsoft was forcing us to buy this reading the comments they make it sound like Microsoft is pointing a gun at them and tell them to buy it 😒 I thought this was a choice to buy this 😑 oh but if apple sell them dog shit with a Apple logo on it for $200 they buy it and don't complain

[@42tancho]

200 Dollar?? It's a dock... no speakers, no screen, no lightshow... It's not even made out of "vapor mg". So WHY?

[@CelmorSmith]

Because business people will need it if they want to use the SP3, using a desktop PC and a laptop would be inconvenient. If want to expand the ports on the SP3 you will need this and they don't really need a desktop PC anyway if they can just plug their SP3 into the dock and have a real keyboard+monitor attached to that. As long as they don't wanna game...

[@asdfrozen]

The design makes no sense. That's a terrible angle for inking. They should've made a wired hub instead so you can still ink on it while it's connected to the dock.

[@theawesome160]

Is you octopus?

[@MiningBlock]

Vincent Willman Engström lmfao that was an awesome comment yet I agree for him, the angle isn't really the best for drawing with the pen which is basically why most people would buy the tablet in the first place

[@asdfrozen]

***** Maybe you want a second display while you draw on the Surface's display. And you absolutely need a keyboard and mouse for stuff like Photoshop. This would be great as the centerpiece to a light digital art rig, if it were more flexible. And "replace your desktop"? Yes, for most people who only use their computers for word processing and web browsing, this could easily replace your desktop. But you're sorely mistaken if you think the Surface Pro is in the same class of device as a modern desktop workstation.

[@TheBooty0512]

why the fuck is there an old lady that knows this much about tech ?

[@charlieriback]

I wish Lisa Gade would speak slower and clearer. If you're talking technical speak technical (clear)

[@RenatoApazaMeza]

..... q feo :S