Suitable Docking Hub to replace PCS DS110

[RikRak]

I have a Lafite Pro Series laptop that came with a PCS DS110 USB-C Docking Hub. I need to replace the hub as the HDMI socket it is not at all reliable. Some times it will work with a monitor connected to it, more often than not it will not, and occasionally it will cause windows to continuously act like a new monitor has been connected, and it's infuriating (see

)

I've searched for an updated driver, but there are very few references online for "PCS DS110"

Can you recommend a reliable Dock that will work with this laptop and support 2+ 1080 Displays + Ethernet + usbs for keyboard & mouse. ...or what is it that I need to look for when searching for a new dock?

For info, original spec from order sheet:

Product Category	Product Description
Chassis & Display	Lafité Pro Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 60Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)	Intel® Core™ i5 12 Core Processor 1240P (1.7GHz, 4.4GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)	16GB PCS PRO SODIMM DDR4 2666MHz (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card	Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
1st M.2 SSD Drive	1TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 2950MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader	Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor	1 x 90W AC Adaptor
Power Cable	1 x 1.5 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery	Lafité Pro Series Integrated 73WH Lithium Ion Battery
Sound Card	2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless	GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options	1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 + 1 x USB 3.2 (TYPE C) + 1 x USB 3.2 + 1 x USB 2.0
Docking Hub	PCS DS110 USB-C Docking Hub: 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45, 1 x TYPE-C PD
Keyboard Language	LAFITÉ PRO 15 SERIES BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System	Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence

 

[SpyderTracks]

Seems a strange choice to look for a replacement rather than troubleshooting it, you have ongoing support with PCS, give them a call?

It's possible it's faulty, possibly simply a driver issue, could just be the cable, but raise it with them and they can troubleshoot for you to get it resolved.

The reason you can’t find anything is because you’re searching for the PCS branded name, PCS don’t manufacture anything, they rebrand a few products under their own names, the only place that name is relevant is on PCS

For the actual model number you’d need to look at the manufacturers label likely on the underside

 

[davhun]

Seems a strange choice to look for a replacement rather than troubleshooting it, you have ongoing support with PCS, give them a call?

It's possible it's faulty, possibly simply a driver issue, could just be the cable, but raise it with them and they can troubleshoot for you to get it resolved.

The reason you can’t find anything is because you’re searching for the PCS branded name, PCS don’t manufacture anything, they rebrand a few products under their own names, the only place that name is relevant is on PCS

For the actual model number you’d need to look at the manufacturers label likely on the underside

I have a Lafite Pro Series laptop that came with a PCS DS110 USB-C Docking Hub. I need to replace the hub as the HDMI socket it is not at all reliable. Some times it will work with a monitor connected to it, more often than not it will not, and occasionally it will cause windows to continuously act like a new monitor has been connected, and it's infuriating (see

)

I've searched for an updated driver, but there are very few references online for "PCS DS110"

Can you recommend a reliable Dock that will work with this laptop and support 2+ 1080 Displays + Ethernet + usbs for keyboard & mouse. ...or what is it that I need to look for when searching for a new dock?

For info, original spec from order sheet:

Product Category	Product Description
Chassis & Display	Lafité Pro Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD 60Hz 72% NTSC LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU)	Intel® Core™ i5 12 Core Processor 1240P (1.7GHz, 4.4GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)	16GB PCS PRO SODIMM DDR4 2666MHz (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card	Integrated Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
1st M.2 SSD Drive	1TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 2950MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader	Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor	1 x 90W AC Adaptor
Power Cable	1 x 1.5 Metre Cloverleaf UK Power Cable
Battery	Lafité Pro Series Integrated 73WH Lithium Ion Battery
Sound Card	2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless	GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options	1 x THUNDERBOLT 4 + 1 x USB 3.2 (TYPE C) + 1 x USB 3.2 + 1 x USB 2.0
Docking Hub	PCS DS110 USB-C Docking Hub: 3 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45, 1 x TYPE-C PD
Keyboard Language	LAFITÉ PRO 15 SERIES BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System	Windows 11 Professional 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence

I had a similar issue with an Iconica laptop and the DS110 docking hub. The hub worked fine in the Thunderbolt 4 socket but not in the USB 3.2 type C. Both sockets are type C but they are not the same. Spydertracks offered to help at the time but I did not have any other type C hardware to test with. But, as I said, it works fine in Thunderbolt 4.

Attached are the port descriptions. The thunderbolt 4 can take multiple devices whereas the USB type can only supply 900ma and (possibly) only support one of a limited range of devices at a time.

BTW There is no wording anywhere on the DS110 except 'PCSPECIALIST'.

If you are looking for a different hub you could try https://uk.ugreen.com/collections/dock-hub
I went to U-green for a 100 watt wall charger which is more portable away from home.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Think the important thing is to raise it with PCS and troubleshoot before blindly replacing it. It may well still be in warranty. But PCS is the first port to consider before possibly wasting money unnecessarily.