Is Microsoft Display Dock compatible with PC's?

Question

Hi,

I am looking for a small universal dock that helps me connect my surface or laptop to the desktop setup (screen, keyboard, mouse etc.) with just one USB3 cable.

Question 1: Did anyone try the promising Microsoft Display Dock with a Surface Pro or Laptop? Does it work with any PC? I have read on some forums that Mac users successfully tried it, except for this... nothing turned up on web-search. 

Question 2: Would the Microsoft Surface Dock work on any PC with USB3 or does it have to be a Surface?

Thank you in advance!/Jesper

Answer 1

Hi Jesper.

Regarding your question about the Microsoft Display Dock.

It's designed to be used with a Windows Phone as it's primary area. It is however compatible to be used with all Surface devices, except the Surface RT/Surface 2.

More information about the Microsoft Display Dock can be found here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Microsoft-Display-Dock/productID.330291000

Regarding your question about the Microsoft Surface Dock, it is only compatible with Surface devices (Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book). You can find more information about the Microsoft Surface Dock here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Microsoft-Surface-Dock/productID.325725200

Answer 2

Hi,

Thank you for your answers. Just one remaining question, is it possible that the Microsoft Display Dock would work with a generic LapTop with a high speed USB3 port?

As I understand your answer, the Surface dock will not work on PC...

(Maybe it has the "surface" connector... )

Thanks/Jesper

Answer 3

I just tried connecting up my Surface Pro 2 and it correctly detects the Display Dock. However, there is a "complaint" message that appears that says I should use a better cable to connect to the display port. My guess is, that the USB A to USB C cable is too long?. It is though only half a foot longer than the USB C to USB C cable that I use to connect my Lumia 950XL to the dock.

Will se if I can get a shorter USB-C type cable.

Answer 4

Thank you for this "hands-on" test. Appreciate the information and looking forward to your follow up! /Jesper

Answer 5

SO I bought a 1 foot USB-C to USB-A cable from cambond who make supposedly pretty good cables, but the problem persists. When plugging in, the message is "Improve your USB connection". Next try will be to get a USB3.0 multi adapter with USB C connection and whatever else is on there :) I am not ready to give up.