Alienware Brand Docking Station

What is everyone's opinion about having a docking port connector on the bottom of the system like Dell's business line laptops do? Also, the docking station would be Alienware branded, perhaps having a lighted/flashing Alienhead depending if the system is on or in sleep mode.

 

This would be a great option, specially for the M17x and M18x lines.

 

I really see no reason for one. The only advantages I could think of would be the time needed to plug and unplug the cables from the machine all the time, besides that I see no benefit.

 

Definitely a time saver, but also I've seen ports wear out (or get really loose) from constantly plugging and unplugging. I rather not have to connect all these cables all the time.

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How well does your e-Port dock work? I had a d-Port replicator with my XPS M1710. It was not at all reliable. I agree plugging/unplugging all those cables can be tedious but the d-Port kept disconnecting and that would cause all sorts of firmware and Windows errors. As far as an Alienware docking option goes, I am all but certain Dell will not do it. My friend used to work for Dell and three years ago when I was having all the issues with my XPS, I asked him if I should keep my d-Port dock for future notebooks. He said Dell made the decision not to put any more docking capabilities on their home/consumer laptops. They were only going to keep docking capabilities on the Latitude and Precision series notebooks.

 

I think something like the henge dock would be the best thing for us. We would not have to add any new ports to the bottom that could take up extra space.

Quick Look: Henge Dock for MacBook and MacBook Pro — Apple News, Tips and Reviews





The dock could include a usb interface for alienfx. A small usb hub (2 ports), A dual 2.5 hdd caddy for external storage. Headphone/mic jacks, and finally we would need a bios update that would allow the left side usb port to accept a power on signal - since the computer would be in the dock, it would be a pain to take it out of the dock, open it up, turn it on, close it, then put it back in the dock. Having a single alienhead on the front that acts as a power button that interfaces through the left side usb port (already set up as powershare, so it shouldnt be too hard to do.)

 

The problem here is that our ports are on the side. Don't think it will help much.


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It's works great. Haven't had any issues with it at all. It's the previous gen. What it the diff btw the D-Port and E-Port docks?
I got the wife the new E-Port dock for her Lattitude, it have USN 3.0 ports, updated video connectors, and is hot-swappable. (I'm a little jealous.) Should of gave her my e-dock and kept the new one for myself. LOL

It would have to be a completely new design for adding the dock port. Space wise, we wouldn't sacrifice much. My M6600 can hold 4 hard drives (with a cd-rom bay caddy) and has 4 memory slots. I've never been sold on dual GPUs, in desktops or laptops. For their added cost, heat, noise, extra power req, and game compatibility, it just doesn't seem like it's worth the small (if noticeable) performance gain. Of course that is just my opinion, and I understand that many will disagree.

There are a few gaming laptops out there that have a dock port, but their design and build quality doesn't look so great. I think MSI may have a dock port.

 

huh? why did you quote my thing and go off on some tangent about something not even related to what I posted?

 

You mentioned taking up extra space if the port was in built in on the bottom. I answered by saying that it wouldn't take much room and because the M6600 that I have has a similar form factor as the M17x. I mentioned dual GPUs because it is not offered in the M6600, and I gave my opinion about not needing dual GPUs. I don't think I was way off, but I apologize if you think that. I do get distracted easily. (getting old I guess)

 

I think the only thing in that, that I said anything about was the dock connector....

Then I showed a dock that would work with current alienware systems, with out needing a dock connector.

My post was to show a way of doing it without the dock connector, that way people who have current systems would be able to use a dock without having to buy a new computer. Also, I was talking about the m14x, but since I didnt say anything about model, and your not a mind reader (right?) that could be the confusion.

Either way, I think a verticle style dock would be really nice compaired to a dock that lays the computer flat. Standing on its side would take up very little desk space, allow you to just plug into the ports that are already on that side.

I use a ikea napkin holder to make a stand for my m11x. I dont have any pictures of it, but this is what it looked like. (not the center picture, just the left and right ones)

 

I like the napkin holder idea! Very creative and cost effective. I guess in the end, when Alienware does a design refresh, I would like to see them incorporate the dock port and sell a cool docking station. Docking and dock ports can go with the Alienware/space theme.

 

I think I may have to change my stance on this....

I just put my m14x on its side.... the base is either going to have to be really wide, or alot of laptops are going to tip over due to the massive weight of the 17-18 inch models..

Maybe a side standing version would be good for the m11x, and possibly the m14x, but I fear the 17-18 are just going to be too heavy to stand up.

 

MBPs have most of their important ports on one side whereas the Alienwares split the ports between both sides and the power plug is on the back. So a sideways dock like what Apple designed won't work unless Alienware puts all the ports (including the power jack) on one side of the notebook.

The difference between the D-port and E-port is the d-port is much older. It was the predecessor to the e-port. Both docks look similar, but function differently. I could not hot swap using the d-port and the dock itself did not power my XPS M1710. I would still had to plug my PSU into the back of the notebook when I used the dock or else it would drain the battery, even though the d-port dock had its own PSU as well.

 

So others do not get confused, I was thinking of a dock like this, but with Alienware branding, and Alienhead that glows. Maybe even tied into the AlienFX.



The dock would have it's own power adapter and would power the laptop also. Support multi-monitors and USB 3.0.

 

Yeah, that's the E-Port dock. I just don't see them doing that for our Alienwares. But it would be awesome, especially if it had LED zones that synced up with AlienFX.

 

Would be cool too is it was more aerodynamic looking too. I wish I had Photoshop skills to make the idea I have come to life in a photo to show.

 

I want the same thing for my M17xR4, but could only find the ones designed for regular laptops that had few good features, and most did not have HDMI or USB3.0

The trend I have seen with Docks is that they are mostly designed for use on Consumer and Business Laptops that have embedded GPUS, 1 HDD Bay and the same basic brick form factor cases. There has to be room for all the components inside to route to the Dock Port. Gaming laptops are already crammed packed inside as it is.

Gamers have always been on the low end of the pole for designers anyway. They don't see the need to design a quick dock for a gamer to quickly remove their laptop and take it to a lan party or tournament. But they do see it for a student , businessman, or a classroom instructor to have the need for a dock.

I am in the Army and we use mostly Dell laptops at the school I instruct at. We have all the Docks boxed up because they were more problematic and unrealiable to begin with. The port connectors bend, flex and break and do not always connect the first, second or third time, so we got rid of them.

If Alienware was to ever have a Docking Station see the light of day, Dell will not be involved. It would have to be a third party developer enduring most of the cost then selling it through dells accessories department with the backpacks, routers, mice and keyboards.

If it ever comes to market I would buy it.

 

I've had good luck with my M6600 dock. I dock and undock once a day for the last 7-8 months without any problems so far. I can see how problems can happen if you do not take your time when docking. I always make sure it's lined up with the built-in guides before I press it down into the dock.

I hope someone will make it...I would instantly buy an M18x if they did. (with a non-glossy IPS screen option of course)

 

Bumping for some more voting. Thanks!

 

I would kill for a dock. I use my M14x R2 at home on a desk, using the existing monitor along with a 24" monitor, so I wouldn't want the lid closed.

Anyone that doesn't want a dock because it doesn't take a long time to plug or unplug cables just don't use a lot of cables or move their notebook much. They are obviously not dock customers in the first place! To take my notebook to work, I have to unplug 7 cables - power, USB x 2, 3 x Headphone (5.1 surround), Ethernet. I only plug in a power and a USB cable when I'm at work. When I get back from work, I have to plug them all back in, so 14 cables a day, just to go from home office to work, that should only be a docking and undocking. If I want to take my notebook from my home office to the comfy living room chair? Unplug all those cables again, arragh!

With work 5 days a week, I'm looking at a minimum of 7,000 plugin/out events over a two year period. I also expect that a port will fail eventually, requiring the mainboard to be swapped out (already swapped out once), so having a docking connector is in Alienware's best interest. It's a premium product, give us premium features that other expensive notebooks have!

I also think the demand for the M14X dock would be higher than the larger notebeasts, because people like me are more likely to be transporting M14x's around than the larger and heavier systems, although certainly a dock on them couldn't hurt. Again, people are paying for the premium features, a port on a mainboard doesn't cost a ton of money, even if it ends up being unused. How many of us are still actively using the Firewire or optical drives?

A USB3 dock is not a proper solution. Why would I waste money on a dock that duplicates all of the features that I already have in the existing notebook, including a replacement GPU that would be horribly under-powered compared to the GPU already in the notebook? Those are for ordinary notebook use, not an Alienware.

Thank you for the poll, count me in if you need anyone to rally Alienware.

...Donovan