Honestly, skip the proprietary junk. If you need something that actually plays nice with different laptops, just grab a CalDigit USB-C Gen2 10Gbps Dock. I have been running these in my office for years and they are rock solid for basically anything with a USB-C port. You can usually snag one right around your budget if you look for an open-box deal or a sale. Another solid bet if you need to save some cash is the Plugable UD-3900 Universal Docking Station Dual Monitor. It uses DisplayLink tech, which is a bit of a workaround but works on almost any machine you plug it into. Just make sure to install the drivers beforehand. It is not going to win any speed tests for massive file transfers, but for a presentation in London, it will get the job done without breaking the bank.

> My current dock just stopped recognizing my monitor Honestly, I have been there and it is incredibly frustrating when hardware just decides to die right before a deadline. Unfortunately, most universal docks suffer from poor driver stability or insufficient bandwidth for multi-monitor setups. After dealing with dozens of unreliable units, I have had issues with almost every cheap generic brand. For a stable, truly universal solution, you should pick up the Plugable UD-3900 Dual Display Universal Docking Station or the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock. The CalDigit is significantly more robust for professional use, though it sits at the top of your budget. If you need something immediately, the Plugable option is reliable enough for standard presentations. Just ensure your laptop supports DisplayLink drivers for full compatibility across different OS platforms.

> I have a huge presentation in London tomorrow. ^ This. Also, be careful about the power delivery wattage. You might want to consider checking your laptop charger specs first because if the dock doesnt push enough juice, your system will throttle during that presentation. Honestly, avoid the cheap no-name brands on marketplaces. I have seen those fry ports before. Just make sure you have a reliable cable, as that is usually the actual point of failure.