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Laptop docking stations

18 years ago

I'm looking for a good laptop docking station for my Gateway. I've researched and reviewed some on the Internet but none seem to be rated decent. Does anyone have experience with these and can recommend one or two. I suppose I need a universal one since I don't know if a specific HP or Dell model would work with a Gateway.

Targus has a few, but ratings aren't that good.

Thanks.

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Comments (10)

bpgreen
18 years ago
I've been using a laptop as my primary computer for more than 10 years. Some of the early ones were lacking in connections, but for a number of years, my laptop has as much capability to connect to any peripherals as a desktop would have. What benefit do you see from getting a docking station?
PKponder TX Z7B
18 years ago
What about one made specifically for your Gateway? I love the port replicator I have with my Dell Latitude ..it's a D/Port. Lots of ports and the button to eject is great!

Pam
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bpgreen
18 years ago
Pam--I'm curious about the ports you get. I've got something like 5 USB ports, iee 1394 (firewire), speaker/headphones, microphone, s video, vga and network. When I'm home I use a couple of USB hubs to increase the number of usb peripherals I can attach, but I think I'd need them anyway.

I'm not trying to cause trouble, here. I really don't understand how I'd benefit from a port replicator. What ports am I missing?
PKponder TX Z7B
18 years ago
It's not so much the extra ports or even equal ports that make it useful to me. It's the ability to pop it out of the dock and into my backpack in less than 5 minutes including XP shutdown (which takes longer than anything else) ;-)

But to answer your question, here's what I have:

Standard I/O ports Â Serial, Parallel, Video, two PS/2, four USB, VGA, DVI, S-Video and Audio ports
Offers RJ-45 and RJ-11 connectivity
Provides workspace flexibility and viewing expandability with flat panel and dual-display support
Convenient cable management
Easy-to-use cable lock security with latch
bpgreen
18 years ago
Thanks.
genes
18 years ago
Wouldnt it then be cheaper to purchase and extra A/C adapter and power cord and leave it in your backpack or at the office
PKponder TX Z7B
18 years ago
I do have the extra power supply in my backpack for emergencies, but I like my monitor, keyboard, mouse, internet connection and printer to be connected to my docking stations at home and work. Just pop it in and I'm set. I really dislike the keyboard and touchpad on the laptop. What do you folks use your docking stations for?

Pam
genes
18 years ago
Have only used laptops for the last 15 years or so and never seen a need for any docking station. I dont know if its still the case, but only a very select few models of Toshibas had any optional docking station
jane__ny
18 years ago
I really wanted a docking station when we purchased our Dell Vostro laptop, but they didn't offer one. We carry our laptop back and forth to work and hate to use the keyboard and touchpad.

I bought a cheapy MS wireless keyboard and mouse ($15.00- Staples) and carry that back and forth with the laptop. The laptop is bluetooth, but I like the cheapy mouse better than the bluetooth one. Using the laptop this way takes up so much space on the desk. A docking station would have made an easier setup and taken less space.

Jane
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
18 years ago
My husband loves his docking station for his IMB thinkpad, he only has one at work and really wishes he had one at home, the company provides all that, he never bothered to ask for a docking station for home. Now that he is so used to the one at work he hates using it at home without the docking station.
I know if he just told them he needed one for home they would provide it. IF I used a laptop I would definitely want one too.

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