Dell XPS 15 - Port Replicator with HDMI

I am waiting for my Dell XPS 15 (1080p) to arrive and am looking at my options for port replicators since Dell is no longer producing docking stations for the XPS models It is upsetting that I have not been able to find any port replicators which connect to the laptop via HDMI rather than USB. Am I right or wrong to assume that connecting to a port replicator via USB 2.0, which then connects to a TV via HDMI will not be able to process the full 1080p signal??? I would like a port replicator (would really like a docking station) that I can use to connect to my HDTV and not lose any image/sound quality. Am I incorrect to think that USB will pose an issue, or is this a marketing void? I may just need to connect the HDMI to the TV manually each time I connect if there's not a product available, but it would be much more convenient if I could just drop it in and have all my accessories, image/audio and charging ready to go. Thanks for your help.

 

Correct

Maybe Superspeed or Light Peak will solve this issue some time in 2011?

Your not; it will.

By the looks of this similar thread, docks with that capability have never come to fruition.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/accessories/381055-docking-station-hdmi.html

 

Thanks Krane. I will just get a port replicator for all other devices and charging, and connect the HDMI manually.

Cheers

 

I own a Dell port replicator, model PRO3X, and I want to buy a new Dell laptop model XPS 15 - but Dell sales rep tells me, XPS 15 cannot be used with any docking stations sold by Dell...?

So my question is, are you using a new XPS 15 laptop from Dell with a port replicator? The PRO3X has DVI connections, I have a 32-inch LCD plugged into it and my older Dell work laptop does just fine with that. I think it is a Latitude system of some sort (can't find any labels or tags that tell me model of this work laptop, strangely).

Thanks!

 

The Pro3x dock fits a connector on the Latitude and Precision lines sold through Dell's business site. A laptop with a dedicated dock connector can output video directly from the GPU, so it does not have the bandwith limits that a USB 2 dock has, and can power larger monitors.

 

Thanks KimoT for the reply.
Dell also says today, none of the Latitude models sold today work with the PRO3X port replicator. I'm having a hard time believing them, and its their product! I see many instances on the net from 3rd parties with ad details saying PRO3X is compatible with numberous E-series Latitude laptops. Granted, those could be wrong too. Doesn't anyone dock their laptops anymore without going wireless? I have too many peripherals that are hardwire to just toss them and start over with USB or wireless docking. And I understand there are performance limitations to worry about there as well.

Regards,
Emu

 

I just discovered that my work laptop is a Latitude E6400.....
It seems to me if I buy a Latitude E6410 it should connect with the port replicator PRO3X that I have, since the E6400 certainly connects...