Dell docking stations

[Funkstar]

The Dell site is a nightmare for this sort of thing.

My dad has a D400 series laptop and wants to get my mum one so they can share docking stations (with monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc) home here and in the house in Angola.

Will he have to get a D400 series laptop, or are others compatible with the docking station? I don't have a model number of the one he's got already.

Thanks for the help

[staffsMike]

is it that one?

http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...&sku=452-10370

They can usually be used with a fair few models..dell are actually nice like that.

[Funkstar]

hmmm could be. but i think he also uses this:
http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...&sku=452-10385

so it's hard to tell.

I'll speak to him about it over the weekend, see what he says.

I'd be surprised if he could't just as his MIS guys to get it all sorted out, even if he ends up paying them for mums laptop.

thanks though

[staffsMike]

The monitor stand doesn't do anything..the dock just sits inside it.

[Funkstar]

thats what i figured

[MD]

and they are crap

Best thing is to just buy the docking module and then use a laptop cooling pad.

I have seen laptops die in the docking stations, there is no ventilation whatsoever.

m

[Funkstar]

Noted.

Ironically, i think it's more likely to over heat when used here as i think the house in Angola has air-con

[nichomach]

OK, we use a lot of Latitudes here at work. All of the D series Lats (400, 600, 800, 410, 610, 810, 420, 620, 820) can use the same docking stations, either the D/Port or D/Dock. The docking stations can both be used with the monitor stand, or the D/Port can be used with the Notebook stand. For the record, I've found them to be absolutely fine. Difference between the D/Port and D/Dock is that the latter has a PCI slot, which can be useful, but is bigger, and cannot be used with the notebook stand.

Valid combos, therefore:
D/Port + Monitor stand = OK
D/Dock + Monitor stand = OK
D/Port + Notebook stand = OK
D/Dock + Notebook stand = NO

Both stations give DVI output by the way, regardless of whether the laptop has a DVI port or not and they add parallel ports (for those as need them) which the Lats no longer have.

A laptop in a Dock or Port-equipped monitor stand has at least as good ventilation as if it were sat on a desk; in some respects better, since if you push the slider module (to which the dock attaches) all the way back and use a D/Port, there's actually a significant air gap under the laptop. Matt, I think if the laptops died, it may have been more to do with them than the docks.

D/Dock: http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...&sku=452-10370
D/Port: http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...&sku=452-10482
Monitor Stand: http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...&sku=452-10495
Notebook Stand: http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...&sku=452-10496

[Funkstar]

Thanks nichomach, that now makes complete sense

The Dell site is infuriating when it comes to finding out things like this.

This also gives dad more of a choice as to what to get her. I think weight will be an issue.

[nichomach]

If weight's really an issue, then the 420's a GREAT little laptop. I have director here with one; his ideal laptop would actually physically not exist until he needed to use it (think AD&D "Summon Laptop" spell ). I got him one with the U2500 C2D processor and it's easily speedy enough for anything he throws at it, up to and including Powerpoint with embedded videos. DO NOT be tempted by any second hand deals on the X-series; we have an X300 here and the battery life is appalling, plus they can't share the D-series docks.

[Funkstar]

No, it would be a brand new unit, probably with 3 year warranty and insurance etc. Either that or supported through dads corporate agreement, which means worldwide support etc. ... although probably not in Angola.

I think he has a D400. It's a couple of years old now, but has done him well. God knows how many times it has been round the world and back. Never missed a beat either. At one point he was comuting between here and Houston every couple of weeks. and just getting a network connection on spare desks etc. It's the closest i've seen to someone having a paperless office, helped he didn't have an office to start with though

[lanceuppercut]

If weight's really an issue, then the 420's a GREAT little laptop. I have director here with one; his ideal laptop would actually physically not exist until he needed to use it (think AD&D "Summon Laptop" spell ). I got him one with the U2500 C2D processor and it's easily speedy enough for anything he throws at it, up to and including Powerpoint with embedded videos. DO NOT be tempted by any second hand deals on the X-series; we have an X300 here and the battery life is appalling, plus they can't share the D-series docks.

i think the d420 is a great laptop, we have them at work and they are fantastic.