Dockable Laptops

[Rathji]

I have never toyed with using a dock for my laptop, but my grandfather seems to be interested in buying one.

Is there any real advantage to having a dock vs plugging in monitor / keyboard / mouse separately? Is it alot simpler?

It seems that each model of laptop has a dock made especially for it, so I am doubtful that there is a generic one and that will limit our choices for laptops to buy, is this true?

Any suggestions as to types of docks to buy (or avoid)?

[Madman]

I suggest space docking.

[psicodude]

We have a ton of users that use docking stations with their Toshiba laptops. These users are usually 70% desk, 30% mobile type of people.

Most people love how easy it is to just press the undock button and go...no cables to dick with, no messing around with screen resolution, etc. The other huge benefit, is that the docking stations come with their own power adapter. This means that the user can now charge the laptop while it is docked, and they still have one in their bag while on the road.

To be perfectly honest, I think the main reason people get them is because they grow tired of fishing their cables back up from behind the desk whenever they fall while undocked.

The main problem with them (as you alluded to) is that Toshiba changes the actual dock port every year or two, so we pretty much have to buy a new docking station ($200) in addition to every new laptop.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by psicodude

We have a ton of users that use docking stations with their Toshiba laptops. These users are usually 70% desk, 30% mobile type of people.

Most people love how easy it is to just press the undock button and go...no cables to dick with, no messing around with screen resolution, etc. The other huge benefit, is that the docking stations come with their own power adapter. This means that the user can now charge the laptop while it is docked, and they still have one in their bag while on the road.

To be perfectly honest, I think the main reason people get them is because they grow tired of fishing their cables back up from behind the desk whenever they fall while undocked.

The main problem with them (as you alluded to) is that Toshiba changes the actual dock port every year or two, so we pretty much have to buy a new docking station ($200) in addition to every new laptop.

Thanks. This was exactly the info I was looking for.

We found him a cheap Vostro 1500 from Dell that was suitable that has a dock. I think it will be alot easier for him.