Docking Station

Can anyone recommend a docking station for my Vostro 1220?

 

The Vostro doesn't have docking capabilities, only the Latitude does. There are some USB ones out there, but they don't work as well as a real docking solution.

 

Really? That is a shame. Even my consumer level HP laptop from 3 years ago has docking station support, and it works perfectly.

On dell's website, they do offer an USB based docking station, the user reviews seem to be quite positive.

I also found out about a Belkin express card docking station, seems quite interesting. http://www.belkin.com/highspeeddock/

 

None of those are technically "docking stations." All they do is combine several connectors into one plug, which I guess could work, but it's still not as good as a real docking station. I'm not sure those will be worth the money though...

 

oh? What is a real docking station like?

 

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=430-3114

Even a USB-based docking station will still require power. A "real" docking station, such as the one I linked to, will include power - as well as everything else.

If you were to still get a USB-based docking station, and if it attempts to include video as well - I'd make sure it is based on DisplayLink. DisplayLink has been working great for me in order to provide an additional display - but I wouldn't depend on even DisplayLink as a primary display.

 

Thanks, that is what I suspected - Power or no power.

It is a shame that V1220 doesn't have a e-port. So much for a business class laptop! it is otherwise quite good though, oh well.

 

Besides power, also consider that a USB-based docking station is limited to the bandwidth of the one-connected USB port. Something like the e-port has a direct bridged connection to the laptop's motherboard - providing ample bandwidth for multiple USB ports, Ethernet, E-SATA, audio, video, and all the other available ports and features.

 

Does V13 support proper docking stations?

 

Seeing that docking is a feature of business laptops, I doubt it. The Vostro isn't really a business laptop, it's only halfway there.