Extension Cable - Surface

Question

Would like to make a suggestion for an extension cable for the Surface computers, specifically Surface 4 and Surface Book. This would extend the cable between the dock and the computer itself.

One male and one female with magnetic connection on each end would be ideal in 3 foot and possibly 6 foot lengths.

Currently I use my Surface Book on an easel with the screen folded back as a second monitor, attached to the Surface Dock on my desk. Occasionally I like to use One Note on the the Surface Book screen while also working on the external monitor. Being able to take the screen and place it on my desk for writing in One Note would be great. I can do that now, but placement of the Surface Dock is limited since it must be placed within about a foot or so of the Surface Dock.

Other possible use cases:

Being able to locate the Surface Dock further away from my Surface Book such as under a monitor or on a shelf while also being able to keep Surface Pro/Book in a good position.

Use of an articulating arm/monitor holder to hold the Surface Pro/Book that I can move around and position. Being able to run the cable down the articulating arm to a Surface Dock on the desk would keep the cable from pulling on the Dock and allow greater movement.

When doing presentations, being able to take the Surface Pro/Book in hand, but connected via a cable to a Surface Dock on a Desk or podium that can then connect to external monitors/projectors and also connected to required USB devices that might be needed during a presentation (Hard Drives, cameras, etc.) This would also provide power to the device during longer presentations, even when using the clipboard function of the Surface Book.

Just some thoughts, and something that should be pretty easy to do!

Ken Richards

Answer 1

We want to use the Surfaces on our conference tables without running a bunch of cables across the table. We want to mount the dock under the table with a single cable coming through to connect the surface to the dock.  

We would leave the dock wired in, so that we could make the one connection to be up and running, using the projector, wired lan, and surround sound. We have found that using the Surfaces wirelessly provides less than optimal performance, so we only use them wired in. 

It would be so nice and clean looking on the table. 

Unfortunately, with the 18" cable, we can't do that, and would have to run a bunch of cables across.

Answer 2

This seems like a pretty serious omission. Mounting it to an articulating arm is my issue.

Answer 3

I actually like this idea as well, and it gives me another thought. For conferences/business use, a surface dock version with multiple cables, able to support multiple Surface computers. Put a dock under a table and run the cables up to connect for users.

As a plus, giving the ability of the dock to provide network access to multiple computers, Switchable video type access (Similar to a KVM switch) being able to cycle each computer to a single connected monitor or cable.

Shared USB access would be nice too, but not sure this would be easy to implement.

Ken

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat. The position I want my Surface Book in with the dock hidden means I have to stretch the cable and I fear it may mess it up soon.

Answer 5

I have three docs - one on my desk that my surface pro 3 slides into and two of the newer ones that attach where the power cable usually goes. The two newer ones are in my bedroom and living room and I use both for watching Netflix, YouTube, etc. while also using my computer. I have my displays configured in windows one above the other and It's nice to be able to seamlessly transition from clicking around on Facebook or Amazon to interacting with whatever show I'm watching by just moving the mouse up to the TV.

It would be great to not have the main dock with all the cords sitting on my bed/couch and just a longer cord that runs from the dock (placed on a self or something) over to my surface.