I probably didn’t explain myself well.
In a common notebook with 3/4 USB-A, plus some dedicated ports. When used in office, you have:
- mouse (USB-A)
- monitor (HDMI)
- net (ETHERNET)
- SD card slot (used intermittently)
- analog 3.5mm audio connector (not always connected, but needed free for incoming VoIP call/meeting)
so 1 USB-A port is always busy by the mouse, all dedicated ports are busy, and 3 USB-A are free for other devices.
With 6 slots and no dedicated ports, in Frame.work notebook you have:
- mouse (USB-A)
- monitor (HDMI)
- net (ETHERNET)
- SD card slot (used intermittently)
- analog 3.5mm audio connector (used intermittently, but needed ready)
- free
so you have 1 free port for devices, this is not the same as before.
This is only a comparison, if you are OK for a dock, this is perfectly legit in both situations, and probably a need in the second one.