How to integrate your laptop into an office desktop environment
Laptops aren’t just for use on the go, they are perfect for office use too. You do need to get your setup right though, read on to find out how.
Modern business laptops like ASUS’s ZenBook S are easily the equal of any modern desktop, which makes them perfect for use in the office as well as on the road. But there are potential drawbacks to using a laptop as a desktop replacement: sitting hunched over a relatively small screen isn’t the most productive or healthy way to work. Thankfully, there’s a cost-effective solution that provides the best of both worlds – for you and your team. Configure your desktop for laptops As you know, laptops can be hooked up to external displays as well as other desktop-friendly peripherals. So, when your staff are working in the office, provide them with all the equipment they need for a comfortable – and productive – work environment. Start with the display: make sure your staff member has access to a suitable business-grade monitor such as the ASUS VZ27AQ Eye Care monitor with all the benefits it brings. The other ergonomic-friendly add-ons you should consider are a separate mouse and full-sized keyboard – Bluetooth if possible, to avoid messy wires or the need for wireless adapters that take up precious USB ports. Connect it all together One potential drawback of this new desk for those who frequently switch between mobile and desktop mode is the need to keep plugging in multiple peripherals to your laptop’s ports. Not only is this a fiddly process, but it’ll slowly build up wear and tear on those ports, shortening their lifespan.
The solution is to invest in a dock – this acts as a conduit between your desktop equipment and your laptop. All your desktop peripherals are permanently plugged into your dock, and then you only need to connect a single cable from the dock to your laptop when seated at your desk. It’s quick, convenient and reduces the need to scrabble around looking for and reconnecting cables. Laptop docks are common enough, but make sure you select a smart business-oriented model like the ASUS SlimPro Dock. It provides both power and all the connectivity you could possibly need, all delivered to your laptop via a single type-C cable. The SlimPro Dock provides a multitude of ports: a single Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet interface (with intelligent software that detects when you’re connected, offering to switch from your laptop’s Wi-Fi connection to the faster Ethernet port), plus no fewer than four display ports: two DisplayPort, one HDMI and one VGA for maximum flexibility. These can be configured one of four ways to provide support for dual display setups. A single 3.5mm audio combo jack can handle mic, headphones and speakers with ease. One SD3.0 slot and five USB 3.1 ports – one type-C, four type-A – provide access to a wide range of additional peripherals and external storage. The two front-mounted type-A ports also offer rapid-charging capabilities for phones and tablets. One final port on the back allows you to permanently plug an ASUS 120W adapter into the dock to deliver power to the laptop without having to constantly find a convenient power socket. When connected to the dock, you’ll also find a power switch on the front that can switch on the laptop – allowing you to keep the laptop tucked away when on-site. And don’t worry about the dock dominating your desk: the SlimPro Dock has a tiny footprint (82 x 128 x 33mm), which also makes it the perfect mobile companion too, ensuring you have all the ports you need to run live presentations on whatever displays are available without a hitch. Click here to find out more about getting your office setup properly
