Choose additions for the work you do and the issues identified in your workstation assessment, rather than starting with a bundle of accessories. For prolonged laptop use, Health and Safety Executive guidance pairs a raised laptop screen with a separate keyboard and mouse; add a monitor when screen placement or workspace calls for one, and consider a dock only after checking the laptop’s display, charging and peripheral connections. Before buying equipment for work, agree with your employer what is needed and who will provide or pay for it.
The right additions depend on how long you use the laptop, where you work and which tasks the setup must support.
If the screen, keyboard and trackpad all remain in the same position, consider whether separate input devices would let you place the screen appropriately. The Health and Safety Executive describes workers using display screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more as DSE users.
Check the home setup as well as the office setup. Health and Safety Executive guidance says a workstation assessment should consider the equipment, work conditions and job being done; Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive also refers to DSE used at home or in the workplace.
If you want a display, charging and other devices connected at one desk, check the functions of your exact laptop port before choosing a dock. Dell’s USB-C guidance illustrates why the connector shape alone does not establish video or power-delivery support.
Start with the workstation and the work tasks, then check the connections and responsibilities that affect the equipment you select.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Screen and input position | Check the screen position against the workstation assessment. If raising the laptop, allow space for a separate keyboard and mouse, as advised by the Health and Safety Executive. | I use the laptop for long stretches and need to position the screen without leaving its built-in keyboard and trackpad awkward to use. |
| Display workspace | Decide whether the tasks call for a separately positioned or additional screen. Check the monitor input against the laptop’s documented video output and the available desk space. | Documents, spreadsheets or meetings leave me needing more visible workspace than the laptop screen provides. |
| Ports and charging | Check the exact laptop port’s data, video and power functions; then compare the intended display setup and laptop charging requirement with the dock or monitor specifications. Dell documents USB-C ports whose functions differ. | I want to connect a display and peripherals without assuming that any USB-C socket can also charge the laptop. |
| Equipment responsibility | Share the assessment outcome with your employer. Acas advises agreeing what equipment is needed and who will provide or pay for equipment and repairs. | Before I spend my own money on work equipment, I want to know what will be provided and supported. |
| Work calls | Identify a specific camera, audio or placement need. Check the organisation’s approved software, security and connection requirements before selecting a webcam or headset. | Calls are part of my work, but I only want another device if the laptop’s existing setup does not meet that need. |
A monitor, riser, dock and webcam address different needs. Health and Safety Executive guidance calls for assessment of the whole workstation and the job, so an accessory may leave the issue that prompted the assessment untouched.
Identify whether the gap concerns screen placement, input devices, display area, connections or calls, then choose equipment for that gap.
A USB-C connector does not establish which functions a laptop port supports. Dell’s guidance describes a SuperSpeed-marked example that supports data transfer only.
Check the exact laptop manual and port markings, then compare its supported display configuration and charging requirement with the dock or monitor documentation.
Moving the screen upwards also moves the built-in keyboard and trackpad. For prolonged laptop use, the Health and Safety Executive advises a separate keyboard and mouse when elevating the laptop on a riser or similar support.
Plan where those devices will sit before choosing a stand, or consider a separate display if that better fits the workstation.
A personal purchase can leave provision, repairs and support unclear. Acas advises employers and staff to agree what is needed and who will provide or pay for equipment and repairs.
Discuss the assessment outcome and homeworking arrangements with your employer before purchasing personally.
These brand ranges illustrate different equipment categories; choose by the requirements of the specific device and laptop, not the brand name alone.
Dell’s dock range and laptop support guidance are useful references when comparing connections for a particular setup.
Lenovo lists USB-C and Thunderbolt docking monitors for desks where a display and device connections are wanted together.
Logitech Business covers keyboards, mice, docks, headsets and webcams for different workstation needs.
These options cover external displays and a USB-C dock for laptop workstations. A stand, separate keyboard and mouse may still be needed if screen and input position are the issue identified for your setup.
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Consider this external display when you need more screen space and a height-adjustable stand at a fixed desk.
The product name specifies a Nano Glossy IPS display, HDR, P3 and USB-C. Check its connection and charging features against your exact laptop before relying on a single cable.
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Consider a dock when the workstation needs consolidated display and peripheral connections, rather than a change to screen height alone.
The product name specifies dual HDMI 4K and 100W Power Delivery pass-through. Confirm the displays your exact laptop can run, its charging requirement and the power arrangement and included contents before purchase.
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This is an external-screen option to consider when a separate display would better suit a home or hybrid workstation.
Check how the monitor would be positioned at each desk and confirm that the exact laptop supports the intended USB-C display connection. If carrying weight matters, confirm the unit’s weight before buying.
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This separate display is an option when the laptop screen does not provide the workspace needed for documents or multiple windows.
The product name specifies a 31.5-inch 4K UHD IPS screen and USB-C. Confirm the connection functions and charging suitability for your exact laptop.
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Consider this external display if its size and curved format fit the desk and the work identified in your workstation assessment.
The product name specifies a USB hub and Type-C 65W alongside its display features. Confirm video support through the intended laptop connection and whether the stated charging rating meets the laptop’s requirement.
An assessment may be required depending on the work arrangement and pattern of use. In Great Britain, the Health and Safety Executive identifies workers using display screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more as DSE users and says assessments should consider the whole workstation and job. Northern Ireland’s Health and Safety Executive also says DSE risks should be assessed for equipment used at home or in the workplace.
Agree what is needed with your employer before purchasing personally. Acas advises agreeing who will provide or pay for homeworking equipment and repairs; the assessment outcome and your work arrangement should inform that discussion.
No: check the functions of the exact laptop port and the dock’s requirements. Dell’s support guidance describes a USB-C port marked for SuperSpeed data transfer only, illustrating why the connector shape does not confirm video output or power delivery.
For prolonged laptop use, the Health and Safety Executive advises using a separate keyboard and mouse so the screen can be elevated on a riser or similar support. Plan space for both input devices when choosing how to position the screen.
Add one when work calls create a specific camera, audio or placement need that the current setup does not meet. Check your organisation’s approved devices and software first; call equipment does not address a separate screen-position or input-device issue.