Count the connections before choosing a device

Count the connections you actually need before comparing a device's processor or finish. A missing connection can change the whole desk setup.

List each peripheral, its connector and the function you use: display, data transfer, charging, audio or a specialist device. Similar-looking sockets may support different capabilities. Check the manufacturer's specification for the exact model rather than inferring everything from the shape of a USB connector.

Draw the working arrangement

Show what connects directly and what would require a hub, dock or adaptor. Check compatibility, power requirements and supported display modes through the relevant manufacturers. A chain of individually plausible accessories is not proof that the complete arrangement will work.

Include portable use. If the only suitable port is occupied by charging, decide how you will connect the other device during a long session. Think about cable direction and whether the setup fits the physical space without strained connectors.

Price the complete arrangement, including suitable accessories you do not already own. If practical, test the essential combination within the seller's stated return conditions. Record the exact models used. The better choice is the device that supports your real work reliably, not simply the one with the longest port list or the cleanest photograph of an empty desk.