If you're setting up a single-cable docking station for a business laptop, three names come up again and again on the refurbished and enterprise market: the Dell WD19TBS, the Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 3 Dock Gen 2 (model 40AN), and the HP USB-C Dock G5. All three do the same core job — one cable to your laptop, instant access to monitors, Ethernet, and peripherals — but they differ in power delivery, port layout, and brand compatibility. Here's a full breakdown.
Port Layout & Connectivity
The Dell WD19TBS offers a front USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port and a front USB-A 3.1 port with PowerShare, plus a rear layout of 2 USB-A 3.1, 2 DisplayPort 1.4, 1 HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, and a USB-C multifunction DisplayPort — a strong all-around selection, and it supports up to four displays total (including combinations like dual 4K).
The Lenovo 40AN is built for Thunderbolt 3 and leans into it — 5 USB-A 3.0 ports, 1 USB-C, 2 DisplayPort, 2 HDMI, Ethernet, and a combo audio jack. It supports up to three 4K UHD displays simultaneously, the most of the three docks here, making it the strongest pick for multi-monitor setups.
The HP USB-C Dock G5 has the leanest port count: a front USB-C port, 4 rear USB-A ports, 2 DisplayPort 1.4, 1 HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, and a combo audio jack. It supports up to three displays including the laptop's own screen, though maximum resolution across all three depends on your laptop's DisplayPort version.
Winner: Lenovo 40AN for maximum display support; Dell WD19TBS for the most balanced port selection.
Power Delivery
This is where brand loyalty matters most. The Dell WD19TBS delivers up to 130W to Dell laptops, but drops to 90W for non-Dell laptops (HP, Lenovo, Apple) — enough for most ultrabooks, but a real limitation for higher-power non-Dell workstations.
The Lenovo 40AN delivers up to 90W via USB-C and is explicitly built around ThinkPad compatibility, including PXE boot, Wake-on-LAN, and MAC address pass-through — enterprise IT features that matter if you're managing a fleet of ThinkPads.
The HP USB-C Dock G5 delivers up to 100W to HP laptops but only 75W to non-HP laptops, with a note that some higher-draw HP ZBooks may need separate AC power beyond what USB-C alone can deliver.
Winner: Whichever dock matches your laptop's brand — all three penalize out-of-brand devices on power delivery.
Display Support
The Lenovo 40AN supports up to three 4K UHD displays over Thunderbolt 3 — the highest ceiling of the three. The Dell WD19TBS supports up to four displays total in various combinations (including one single 8K display), which is technically the most flexible if you're chaining multiple lower-resolution monitors. The HP USB-C Dock G5 supports up to three displays including the laptop's own screen, with exact resolution depending on your laptop's DisplayPort version (1.2, 1.3, or 1.4).
Winner: Lenovo 40AN for guaranteed triple-4K; Dell WD19TBS for maximum display count flexibility.
Brand Compatibility & IT Management
All three docks are technically cross-compatible with USB-C and Thunderbolt-enabled laptops from any brand, but each is clearly optimized for its own ecosystem. The Lenovo 40AN's PXE boot and Wake-on-LAN features are ThinkPad-specific. The Dell WD19TBS's ExpressCharge Boost is a Dell-only feature. The HP USB-C Dock G5's power-button wake and MAC pass-through features are HP-only.
If your fleet is single-brand, matching the dock to the brand unlocks meaningfully more functionality than any of these docks offer to an out-of-brand laptop.
Winner: Match the dock to your laptop brand whenever possible.
Which One Is Right for You?
- Running a ThinkPad fleet, want max displays → Lenovo 40AN
- Running a Dell fleet, want the most balanced port selection → Dell WD19TBS
- Running an HP fleet → HP USB-C Dock G5
- Mixed-brand office, need broad compatibility → Dell WD19TBS (widest core port set)
- Multi-monitor power user → Lenovo 40AN
Where to Buy Refurbished Docking Stations in Canada
Saddle Group in Vaughan, Ontario carries a rotating selection of professionally tested refurbished docking stations from Dell, Lenovo, and HP — all backed by a 1-year warranty. We ship across Canada and offer local pickup for buyers in Vaughan and the surrounding area.
Browse our current inventory of docking stations and find the right one for your setup.
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