Final answer:
A docking station allows a notebook or tablet to function like a desktop by providing connections to a monitor, keyboard, and other peripherals, and often charges the device as well.
Step-by-step explanation:
To transform the functionality of a notebook or tablet to be more akin to a desktop, a docking station is typically used. The docking station allows the notebook or tablet to connect with multiple peripherals such as an external monitor, full-sized keyboard, mouse, and other devices that one might typically associate with a desktop setup. It essentially serves as a hub that holds additional ports and often also charges the device.
While having an external monitor and keyboard can mimic a desktop environment, they don't provide connectivity to additional devices which is a common feature of desktop computers. A docking station includes a variety of ports to enable the connection of several peripherals at once, simplifying the transition between mobile and stationary computing.