13.3" or smaller lappy and docking station?

T1tan · 27th March 2007, 9:23 PM

G'day

I'm losing my desktop PC in the near future. Anyway, I want a lappy, and I need a desktop PC. So, I figure I'll get the decent enough lappy and a docking station.

I was really into the Dell XPS m1210. Then I found out that I'd have to plug everything in every time I wanted to "dock" it - ie. it's not an actual docking station, but a port replicator... unless things have changed recently.

The thing that got me with the XPS m1210 was what appears to be good enough performance to meet or exceed my current desktop PC, with small size... but if it doesn't dock properly, there isn't that much point emulating my current PC.

I'm willing to put up with it, but I'd prefer not to

what other options are there?

The spec sheet for the m1210 that I wanted was as follows:
www.nikspage.com/dell.html

n00by · 27th March 2007, 10:42 PM

i have an asus f3jv and my "docking station" is a logitech alto

has built in keyboard, raises alptop to comfortable height, and has 3 usb port hub to plug i rpinter, mouse and external hdd

wat else would u like attached lol

only thing u have to plug is an external screen if u want to use one

T1tan · 27th March 2007, 10:45 PM

the screen

n00by · 27th March 2007, 10:55 PM

you'll have to get soeming more corporate style then
like an IBM

T1tan · 27th March 2007, 10:59 PM

hmm ibm's are tres expensive :S

Thanks for the tip though

th3_hawk · 28th March 2007, 8:06 AM

Sony and Toshiba have docking stations for lots of their machines. Also it seems so do Dell.

There is also lots of 'generic' USB2 docking stations, mind you in many cases these then use a generic 'video over USB' rather than your internal Video card so for anything 3D, like games, your probably screwed.

Lots of options really...

seb · 1st April 2007, 7:52 AM

HP business laptops typically have docking station ports. The consumer models have "expansion ports" - don't know if they are limited like the Dell's.

The new "generic" docking thingies are Expresscard so they can connect much faster peripherals - even video and esata I believe.

Tobes1990 · 1st April 2007, 7:55 PM

whats wrong with the built in screen?

T1tan · 1st April 2007, 8:00 PM

I'd use it as a desktop PC at home.

It looks like im just going to get a USB hub for most of the peripherals, and plug my monitor in to the VGA port, it's cheap and nasty but it does the job. Also looks like I'll be getting a Dell XPS m1210, seems to have everything I want.

27th March 2007, 9:23 PM	#1
T1tan Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sydney. Posts: 3,852	13.3" or smaller lappy and docking station? G'day I'm losing my desktop PC in the near future. Anyway, I want a lappy, and I need a desktop PC. So, I figure I'll get the decent enough lappy and a docking station. I was really into the Dell XPS m1210. Then I found out that I'd have to plug everything in every time I wanted to "dock" it - ie. it's not an actual docking station, but a port replicator... unless things have changed recently. The thing that got me with the XPS m1210 was what appears to be good enough performance to meet or exceed my current desktop PC, with small size... but if it doesn't dock properly, there isn't that much point emulating my current PC. I'm willing to put up with it, but I'd prefer not to what other options are there? The spec sheet for the m1210 that I wanted was as follows: www.nikspage.com/dell.html __________________ --Nik

27th March 2007, 10:42 PM	#2
n00by Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, 2219 Posts: 2,023	i have an asus f3jv and my "docking station" is a logitech alto has built in keyboard, raises alptop to comfortable height, and has 3 usb port hub to plug i rpinter, mouse and external hdd wat else would u like attached lol only thing u have to plug is an external screen if u want to use one __________________ DELL XPS m1330: T9300 2.5ghz \| 4GB RAM \| nVidia 8400M GS \| 320GB HDD \| 24" Dell Monitor \| Logitech Wave Wireless Keyboard \| MX Revolution Camera Rig: Canon 450D DSLR \| 18-55 IS \| 55-250 IS \| 50 II 1.8 \| 17-85 USM IS \| 430EXII \| 2x8gb Sandisk Extreme II \| Battery Grip Click to View Trades

27th March 2007, 10:45 PM	#3
T1tan Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sydney. Posts: 3,852	the screen __________________ --Nik

27th March 2007, 10:55 PM	#4
n00by Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, 2219 Posts: 2,023	you'll have to get soeming more corporate style then like an IBM __________________ DELL XPS m1330: T9300 2.5ghz \| 4GB RAM \| nVidia 8400M GS \| 320GB HDD \| 24" Dell Monitor \| Logitech Wave Wireless Keyboard \| MX Revolution Camera Rig: Canon 450D DSLR \| 18-55 IS \| 55-250 IS \| 50 II 1.8 \| 17-85 USM IS \| 430EXII \| 2x8gb Sandisk Extreme II \| Battery Grip Click to View Trades

27th March 2007, 10:59 PM	#5
T1tan Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sydney. Posts: 3,852	hmm ibm's are tres expensive :S Thanks for the tip though __________________ --Nik

28th March 2007, 8:06 AM	#6
th3_hawk Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: [SYD] Campbelltown Posts: 561	Sony and Toshiba have docking stations for lots of their machines. Also it seems so do Dell. There is also lots of 'generic' USB2 docking stations, mind you in many cases these then use a generic 'video over USB' rather than your internal Video card so for anything 3D, like games, your probably screwed. Lots of options really... __________________ "Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake." Windows 2008 Server machine ticking away in the background providing mass storage for a couple of MacBook Pro's My Wifes Shop Currently for Sale: Nothin in Particular

1st April 2007, 7:52 AM	#7
seb Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,128	HP business laptops typically have docking station ports. The consumer models have "expansion ports" - don't know if they are limited like the Dell's. The new "generic" docking thingies are Expresscard so they can connect much faster peripherals - even video and esata I believe.

1st April 2007, 8:00 PM	#9
T1tan Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sydney. Posts: 3,852	I'd use it as a desktop PC at home. It looks like im just going to get a USB hub for most of the peripherals, and plug my monitor in to the VGA port, it's cheap and nasty but it does the job. Also looks like I'll be getting a Dell XPS m1210, seems to have everything I want. __________________ --Nik Last edited by T1tan; 1st April 2007 at 8:03 PM.