# Microsoft Display Dock
**Wikidata**: [Q21682550](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21682550)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Display_Dock)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/microsoft-display-dock

## Summary
The **Microsoft Display Dock** is a docking station developed by Microsoft, designed to expand connectivity options for portable devices, particularly those running **Windows 10 Mobile**. Released in **November 2015**, it features multiple ports, including **USB-C, HDMI, and USB 2.0**, enabling users to connect external displays, peripherals, and power sources. Weighing **230 grams** and priced at **$99**, it was part of Microsoft’s effort to enhance productivity for mobile devices by providing a desktop-like experience.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Docking station (device that expands connectivity for portable computers or mobile devices).
- **Developer & Manufacturer**: Microsoft (American multinational technology corporation, founded **April 4, 1975**, headquartered in **Redmond, Washington**).
- **Release Date**: **November 20, 2015**.
- **Platform**: Designed for **Windows 10 Mobile** (mobile OS launched **February 12, 2015**).
- **Dimensions**:
  - **Width**: 64.1 mm
  - **Height**: 64.1 mm
  - **Thickness**: 25.6 mm
- **Mass**: 230 grams.
- **Price**: $99 (USD).
- **Connectors**:
  - 1x **USB-C receptacle** (for power and data)
  - 1x **HDMI** (for external display)
  - 2x **USB 2.0** (for peripherals, one with charging capability)
- **Website**: [Microsoft’s official page](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/accessory/hd-500/).
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in **8 languages** (Catalan, Czech, German, English, Korean, Russian, Turkish, Chinese).
- **Sitelink Count**: 8 (Wikidata).
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: `/g/11bwylw8nn`.

## FAQs

### **What is the Microsoft Display Dock used for?**
The Microsoft Display Dock is a docking station that allows **Windows 10 Mobile** devices to connect to external displays, keyboards, mice, and other peripherals via **HDMI, USB-C, and USB 2.0 ports**. It enables a desktop-like experience by extending the mobile device’s functionality to larger screens and additional accessories.

### **When was the Microsoft Display Dock released?**
It was released on **November 20, 2015**, alongside Microsoft’s push for **Windows 10 Mobile** as a productivity-focused mobile operating system.

### **What are the physical specifications of the Microsoft Display Dock?**
The dock measures **64.1 mm x 64.1 mm x 25.6 mm** and weighs **230 grams**. It features a compact, square design with multiple ports for connectivity.

### **Which devices are compatible with the Microsoft Display Dock?**
The dock is primarily designed for devices running **Windows 10 Mobile**, particularly Microsoft’s **Lumia** smartphones. It requires a **USB-C connection** for full functionality.

### **How much did the Microsoft Display Dock cost at launch?**
The retail price was **$99 USD** at launch.

### **What ports does the Microsoft Display Dock have?**
- **1x USB-C** (for power and data transfer)
- **1x HDMI** (for video output to monitors/TVs)
- **2x USB 2.0** (for peripherals like keyboards and mice, with one port supporting charging)

### **Who manufactured the Microsoft Display Dock?**
It was developed and manufactured by **Microsoft**, the same company behind **Windows 10 Mobile** and other consumer electronics.

## Why It Matters
The **Microsoft Display Dock** represented Microsoft’s attempt to bridge the gap between **mobile and desktop computing** by allowing smartphones to function as primary productivity devices. At a time when **Windows 10 Mobile** was struggling to compete with Android and iOS, the dock offered a unique selling point: the ability to transform a phone into a **desktop-like workstation** with minimal setup. This concept, later refined by other companies (e.g., Samsung DeX, Huawei’s desktop mode), highlighted the potential for **convergence devices**—hardware that adapts to different use cases. While Windows 10 Mobile ultimately failed, the Display Dock’s design influenced later docking solutions and reinforced the idea that **mobile devices could replace traditional PCs** for certain workflows.

## Notable For
- **Early adopter of USB-C docking**: One of the first docking stations to leverage **USB-C** for both power and data, predating wider adoption in the industry.
- **Desktop continuity for mobile**: Enabled **Windows 10 Mobile** phones to output to external displays, a precursor to modern "desktop mode" features in Android and other platforms.
- **Compact and lightweight**: At **230 grams** and **64.1 mm square**, it was highly portable compared to bulkier docking solutions of the time.
- **Affordable pricing**: Priced at **$99**, it was competitively priced for a docking station with **HDMI and multiple USB ports**.
- **Part of Microsoft’s mobile ecosystem**: Designed specifically for **Windows 10 Mobile**, reinforcing Microsoft’s (ultimately unsuccessful) push into the smartphone market.

## Body

### **Overview and Purpose**
The **Microsoft Display Dock** is a **docking station** classified under the broader category of devices that expand connectivity options for portable computers or mobile devices. Its primary function is to allow **Windows 10 Mobile** smartphones—particularly Microsoft’s **Lumia** series—to connect to external displays, keyboards, mice, and other peripherals, effectively turning them into **desktop-like workstations**.

### **Development and Release**
- **Developer & Manufacturer**: Microsoft, an American multinational technology corporation founded in **1975** and headquartered in **Redmond, Washington**.
- **Release Date**: **November 20, 2015**, aligning with Microsoft’s broader strategy to position **Windows 10 Mobile** as a productivity-focused alternative to Android and iOS.
- **Platform Dependency**: Exclusively designed for **Windows 10 Mobile**, which launched on **February 12, 2015**. The dock relied on the OS’s **Continuum** feature, which allowed phone interfaces to adapt to larger screens.

### **Technical Specifications**
#### **Physical Dimensions**
- **Width**: 64.1 mm
- **Height**: 64.1 mm
- **Thickness**: 25.6 mm
- **Mass**: 230 grams

#### **Connectivity and Ports**
The dock includes the following ports:
- **1x USB-C receptacle**: Serves as the primary connection to the mobile device, handling both **power delivery and data transfer**.
- **1x HDMI port**: Enables video output to external monitors or TVs, supporting resolutions up to **1080p**.
- **2x USB 2.0 ports**:
  - One port supports **peripheral connections** (e.g., keyboards, mice).
  - The other includes **charging functionality** for connected devices.

#### **Pricing and Availability**
- **Retail Price**: $99 USD at launch.
- **Official Product Page**: [Microsoft’s accessory page](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/mobile/accessory/hd-500/).

### **Compatibility and Use Cases**
- **Primary Use Case**: Extending a **Windows 10 Mobile** smartphone’s functionality to a desktop environment via **Microsoft Continuum**.
- **Target Devices**: Microsoft **Lumia** smartphones (e.g., Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL), which supported **USB-C and Continuum**.
- **Peripheral Support**: Compatible with standard **USB keyboards, mice, external storage, and HDMI displays**.

### **Industry Context and Legacy**
- **Convergence Device Pioneer**: The Display Dock was part of an early wave of products aiming to **replace traditional PCs with smartphones**, a concept later adopted by Samsung (DeX), Huawei, and others.
- **USB-C Adoption**: One of the first docking solutions to use **USB-C**, which later became the standard for modern laptops and mobile devices.
- **Market Impact**: While **Windows 10 Mobile** failed to gain traction, the dock’s design influenced later **mobile-to-desktop solutions**, proving the viability of docking stations for smartphones.

### **Related Entities**
- **Windows 10 Mobile**: The operating system the dock was designed for, featuring **Continuum** for desktop-like multitasking.
- **Microsoft Lumia Series**: Smartphones (e.g., Lumia 950) that supported the dock’s functionality.
- **Microsoft Corporation**: The developer, with **228,000 employees (2024)** and a focus on **software, hardware, and consumer electronics**.

### **Documentation and References**
- **Wikidata Entry**: Includes structured data on dimensions, connectors, and development.
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in **8 languages**, indicating moderate global recognition.
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: `/g/11bwylw8nn` for entity disambiguation.

### **Decline and Discontinuation**
- The **Microsoft Display Dock** was discontinued alongside **Windows 10 Mobile**, which Microsoft officially ended support for in **2019**.
- Its legacy persists in the **docking station market**, where similar products now support **Android and even iOS devices** (via third-party solutions).