Docking stations

I am looking at a Dell M 4800, M 3800, and an XPS 15. Can someone tell me what performance differences I would notice when running dual monitors on a dedicated docking station, versus a USB type docking station solution?

I will be running typical office programs and some higher end financial packages like Argus. Nothing really graphics intensive.

Also, when running dual external monitors will a dedicated graphics card help performance wise versus an on board Intel card, regardless if it is a USB or dedicated docking solution.

Thanks

 

apparently integrated will be fine unless gaming or intensive media - video editing etc.

 

You should be fine with onboard graphics so long as you aren't planning to do any significant gaming or rendering, and so long as you only need two external monitors and are ok with the internal screen being off when you have the two external ones connected.

If you need more monitors than 2, or want to use the internal one as well then you would want something with a dedicated chip.

As far as dedicated station vs usb station, the biggest issue you are going to have is lag/latency on the connection with the usb stations. If you are doing anything that involves non-static content, you for sure want a dedicated station. Video and stuff is really impacted, but depending on the quality of the USB dock, even just scrolling can feel laggy. If at all possible, go with the dedicated dock. You will get performance equivalent to just hooking the displays up to the outputs on the laptop, and it will be easier with less compatibility issues as well.