Some questions about laptop docking systems...

[Infohawk]

So I'm starting to narrow down my laptop search to the Dell Vostro and the Dell Lattitude 630. Correct me if I'm wrong but one difference is that the Lattitude has a docking system.

I like the idea of docking so I can use larger peripherals and a larger monitor at home. For lighter gaming (the kind that an Nvidia 8400 can handle), will the dock connection suffice? What kind of connection is the dock connection? Is there any reason it wouldn't transmit dvi to my lcd monitor? Is there anything else one should know about docking systems? I've never used one before.

Also, Dell sells addons for the Vostro including a Belkin dock that connects through the Vostro's card connection. I'm guessing this doesn't have as good performance. Am I right?

 

[VinDSL]

You can do all that stuff without buying a docking station/port replicator - using a couple of cheap adapters.

The only benefit to a docking station ASAIK is you don't have to plug/unplug any cables, and you can start your lappy without opening the 'lid'...

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Eh you can set your laptop to run while the lid is closed anyways. You don't need a docking station. Most laptops have DVI or HDMI out nowadays anyways. A docking station is just a fancy name for "waste of space"

 

[AmberClad]

You know, I actually rather like the dock that came with the Dell Latitude I was given for work. The one really sweet benefit is that the dock has a dual monitor setup (one analog monitor + one DVI monitor). The laptop by itself only has one monitor output (analog).

I normally use two identical flat panel LCDs connected to the dock (with the laptop lid closed). Much nicer than using just the puny screen on the laptop itself, or some kind of lopsided setup with the laptop screen plus another monitor. Hell, with an external USB keyboard and mouse connected to the dock, sometimes I forget I'm not using a desktop.

(Course that illusion would go "poof" pretty quick if I tried to doing anything graphics intensive on this thing...Intel GMA ftl.)

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Eh you can set your laptop to run while the lid is closed anyways. You don't need a docking station...

I didn't say "run"... I said "start"!

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
I normally use two identical flat panel LCDs connected to the dock (with the laptop lid closed)...

Well, then, there would be another benefit to a dock (that I hadn't thought about).

I probably use my lappy as a dumb terminal 99% of the time. I hook it up to my 19" Dell monitor, and Logitech mouse & keyboard, using an IOGEAR KVM switch and $4.00 USB-to-PS/2 'smart adapter'.

I suppose I could extend my desktop into the lappy panel, but I certainly couldn't run dual monitors (in the catholic sense) with this setup...

Good point!

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: AmberClad
I normally use two identical flat panel LCDs connected to the dock (with the laptop lid closed)...

Well, then, there would be another benefit to a dock (that I hadn't thought about).

I probably use my lappy as a dumb terminal 99% of the time. I hook it up to my 19" Dell monitor, and Logitech mouse & keyboard, using an IOGEAR KVM switch and $4.00 USB-to-PS/2 'smart adapter'.

I suppose I could extend my desktop into the lappy panel, but I certainly couldn't run dual monitors (in the catholic sense) with this setup...

Good point!

Strictly that isn't a dumb terminal, that is a desktop really. A dumb terminal would be if while your laptop was 'docked' on your desk, you also had it VNCed into your desktop and were really doing all the work on the desktop

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: TheStu
Strictly...

That isn't a dumb terminal, that is a desktop really. A dumb terminal would be if while your laptop was 'docked' on your desk, you also had it VNCed into your desktop and were really doing all the work on the desktop

Yes, of course you're correct - strictly speaking - but most ppl on this site aren't that smart, and this isn't a white paper!

I used that strictly for convenience...

By definition, if I turned off my laptop, it wouldn't affect anything, and this obviously isn't the case.

Heh!

Good point too, Stu Baby!