I also bought a HP laptop that only supports 1920x1080 resolution in 2021 and it seems the optimal (for a laptop size screen) resolution to me.

As for docking stations - AFAIK today a docking station means a cube attached to any laptop with a USB-C cable. Lenovo probably expects you to use this: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/accessories-and-software/dock...

I have the T490 bought a couple of years ago. It came with a 1440p screen.

I guess some models still have lower resolution screens, but I didn't look at then when I was evaluating the various options.

The laptop screen is fine, it's the HDMI out limited to 1920x1080 that's problematic. Carrying a docking station around defeats the portability of the laptop IMO. And it's not like there aren't better options than Lenovo...

> the HDMI out limited to 1920x1080

Well this really sounds nonsensical. I wouldn't believe if someone else told me but I feel like I can believe an HNer on such a subject. Thank you for letting us know. I would otherwise not imagine this can exist and wouldn't check when choosing a laptop. Now I wonder if my laptop supports higher resolutions on HDMI.

> Carrying a docking station around defeats the portability of the laptop IMO

You are not supposed to carry them, they are meant to be put on your table and stay there, already connected to external monitors, power supply and other devices, waiting for you to bring the laptop and connect it to just the dock.

Nevertheless small and lightweight "traveler docks" also exist.

There must be more to this story... My T440p and T460s from years ago both support 4K via display port and my T495 supports 4K via its HDMI.

Work issued T580. IT insisted docking stations were needed for higher resolutions. Doing some research, it turns out that is true but also one can buy a proprietary USB-C cable as well, my bad. It's the built-in HDMI that caps at 1920x1080 as I experienced.

You look wrong model.