Docking Station and/or external keyboard

[Brian Stirling]

Just picked up a new laptop that I'll be using for CAD work and PS and I also picked up a 24 inch external monitor. Both the laptop and the monitor are 4K. Laptop is a Dell M3800, and monitor is the UHD (4K) 24 inch model also from Dell. Monitor is connected to laptop via DisplayPort. Running Win7 Pro.

Now, using the external monitor with the laptop is a bit of a pain with the laptop sitting in front of the monitor as I need the keyboard on the laptop so I can't just put the laptop to the side. The Dell website didn't prove very helpful with respect to docking stations so I'm leaning towards using an external keyboard so I can move the laptop out of the way when using the external monitor. But, I've never used an external keyboard and so I'm wondering what are some of the better options out there.


Brian

 

[jji7skyline]

You can plug any USB keyboard into your laptop. Which one to buy depends on your preferences. Traditional rubber dome desktop keyboards are probably going to be the most common. There are some low-profile scissor action style keyboards available too. These may be appealing if you want to something similar in typing feel to your laptop. If you want to spend a lot of money you can get a mechanical keyboard which is supposed to the ultimate typing experience.

If you're not fussed you can just get any old Logitech/Microsoft keyboard/mouse combo for $20 or less from your local shop.

 

[SamMaster]

try this

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=331-7947

Dell docking stations usually work with precision mobile and latitude systems. This one allows two monitors and your laptop screen to work together for a triple monitor system. If you want, you can also get this:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=331-6307

so your laptop is literally UNDER your screen, though it might need to stay closed. It will be cheaper to follow jji7skyline's advice.

 

[Brian Stirling]

try this

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=331-7947

Dell docking stations usually work with precision mobile and latitude systems. This one allows two monitors and your laptop screen to work together for a triple monitor system. If you want, you can also get this:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=331-6307

so your laptop is literally UNDER your screen, though it might need to stay closed. It will be cheaper to follow jji7skyline's advice.

Yeah, I saw the Dell Port Replicator you linked but didn't see much to justify buying it versus just connecting the external monitor via DisplayPort -- I'd still need a keyboard anyway.

Probably pick something up today.

Also ordered another 8GB RAM making a total of 16GB and a 1TB 7mm HDD. I've already replaced the original 500GB HDD with a 1TB mSATA drive.


Brian

 

[Brian Stirling]

Just picked up a Logiteck K480 blutooth KB that's compatable with Windows, Android and iOS. Works fine...


Brian