docking station/port replicator

I plan to buy a notebook computer in the relatively near future to use partly as a desk top substitute. To that end I plan to use a port replicator/docking station. I understand some are no more than glorified usb hubs. Do some manufacturers have better devices for their notebooks? What about the Belkin set up. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

The Belkin ExpressCard Dock is pretty good, but it still doesn't power the notebook.

I'd look at the business class notebooks from HP, Dell, and Asus. Most (or all) of them have docking stations built specifically for their notebooks that do EVERYTHING including power the PC.

Choices you'd have: Dell D820, Dell D620, Dell D420, HP nc8430, HP nc6400, HP nx7400, HP nw9440...

 

Also add the Asus V1 and V2, those have a really nice dock. As night said though, the Belkin option is pretty good. I have actually been considering that, though it still won't do justice to the dock I used to have.

 

Thanks for the info. By not power the notebook, I assume you mean you would have to separately plug the notebook in. Seems like an acceptable thing to have to do (though it would be nice to avoid). How about the Thinkpad line? Does it have dedicated port replicators? I have heard some people have trouble with Dell products....

 

I forgot about the ThinkPads...yes those have docking stations.

Yup, you assumed right: if you don't get a proprietary (Dell's, HP's, etc) dock you'll have to plug the notebook in separately.

The percentage of people who have trouble with Dell is actually small and is probably about equal to other manufacturer's percentages. No company or notebook is perfect. Each manufacturer has their own problems and horror stories, and a lot of times these forums have more bad things than good. After all, if nothing is wrong with the notebook you can't post that you have a problem right?