this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2026
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Suggestions for an SBC (or other kind of mini PC) that can connect to a USB-C dock? (lemy.lol)
submitted 12 hours ago by flork@lemy.lol to c/hardware@lemmy.world
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My company enacted a strict "no personal use" policy for company hardware. I have my boss's blessing to use a personal machine but at the same time I don't want to make it obvious to everyone when I'm doing personal tasks, so the plan is to get a USB-C switch connected to the docking station and a micro-PC tucked under my desk I can quickly switch to.

Any suggestions for mini hardware that only needs a USB-C connection? It does not need to be powerful, since I'm really going to be using it as a web browser.

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[–] ApocolypticGopher@infosec.pub 1 points 3 hours ago

Instead of swapping the entire dock, I have a USB switch for mouse and keyboard and then an HDMI switch for the monitors. Also let's you mix and match monitors easily

[–] jet@hackertalks.com 2 points 4 hours ago

Why not a tablet and keyboard?

[–] Valo85@lemmy.world 6 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Why not just use your phone then. Many android phones can launch into a desktop environment

[–] flork@lemy.lol 3 points 11 hours ago

Mine can actually, but it's not quite ready for prime time yet and I'd still prefer a mini PC.

[–] tal@lemmy.today 2 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago) (1 children)

Do you also need to have power for the PC from USB-C, or can you live with wall power for that?

I went looking for PSUs that used USB-C a while back, and that's kind of limited.

If that isn't an issue, then I think all you need to look for is USB-C DisplayPort Alt mode for video. Everything else should just work if you have a USB-C connection, assuming that you've got the monitor side of things handled.

EDIT: If you have to have power via that USB-C connection, this is two years old, but:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MiniPCs/comments/1f9m7lv/mini_pc_with_usbc_power_and_display/

The only ones that I know that have both power delivery and display out using the same C cable are Minisforum EM680 and EM780.

[–] flork@lemy.lol 2 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago)

I could run power separately without an issue but I was hoping to spend less than $200. Maybe I'll look into an older used laptop.