Asus Docking Station/Port Replicator

Does one exist for the A8 Series of laptops? If not are there any alternate methods? I use my laptop as a home pc as well and its becoming a pain unplugging and plugging all the cables over and over again. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

There are USB docks out there, they aren't fantastic, but they can help. Otherwise very few Asus notebooks have a docking option. The two right now are the V1 and V2.

 

Nothing for the A8 series - there is not proprietary port bar connection on that model. The only units with a full docking station (and they aren't out yet) are the V1 and V2.

You can use a usb port replicator, but they're basically usb hubs... If you don't mind me asking, could you break down all that you're plugging in? Basically what I do on models like the W3/W7 is to hook all usb stuff into a hub and then plug just one usb cable into the system. I use a bluetooth mouse and keyboard for input and wifi for my connection to my network. Then I just hook the vga cable up to the monitor. So basically, that's two things to plug in........

 

Sure I have the following connections:

1. DVI
2. Network
3. Power
4. Sound
5. USB keyboard and mouse

I could use wireless but my router is on the same desk. I could also go for a bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Other than that I don't have many other options

 

Well, if you've got a wireless router, no need to add the extra cable...... unless you had a docking station and in which case... why not.

There are USB solutions for sound... not sure how good, but you could look at Targus' and Kensington's...

 

If you have an ExpressCard/54 slot, you could look at the Belkin ExpressCard Notebook Docking Station.

It ought to cover the DVI, Network, and maybe sound (depending on the connector), as well as the USB stuff.

Then you only need to plug in the ExpressCard and power.

 

I'll lay out a few options for you:

The Belkin Universal Notebook Expansion Dock uses ExpressCard (plenty of bandwidth) and will get you video (DVI), network, sound, and USB:

http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/10_10_06NotebookExpansionDock.html

I don't know if it's out yet, should be soon though.

Kensington has a USB2.0 product that does video (VGA), netowork, sound, and USB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834999239

There is also one with just sound, network and USB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834999240

Personally, I think I would go with the Belkin if I had an ExpressCard slot.

 

That Belkin Universal Notebook Expansion Dock looks pretty amazing. Has anyone here tried one? I'm curious how well it works.

 

I must have mentioned it in another thread where the same question was asked.... but I got one of the new Belkin express card docks to demo a month or so back... It's really nice and especially for a notebook with no other options... it's not bad at all and it's got the througput to handle dvi out - which is great.

 

That Belkin Expansion Dock looks great. I love how they went with surround sound hook-ups. I'm a little disapointed the Asus V1/V2 dock doesn't share this attribute.

While we're on the subject, is there a way to hook surround into a notebook/asus dock? Im no audio guru, so I hope it's not a dumb question

Looks like a pretty solid product. I hope it does well so we get some more out of them.

 

Not sure what you mean Yurrix, but you need to have a decoder to get surround sound, and the V1/V2 dock has the s/pdif passthrough - which is what you need to do this... so it does have surround out. It's basically identical to what Belkin is doing, but your sound card has to be able to support it anyway.

 

Ok, i figured I had better do some quick research before replying. So I searched up what a S/pdif jack is .

Seems S/pdif is not a jack but a standard for transmitting digital audio? So the jack in question is a mini-optical 3.5mm jack correct? (sometimes called Mini-Toslink).

If all this is right, then the Asus V1Jp only has a mic jack and a Mini-Toslink. So how would you hook up some headphones (other than a usb variety)?

My desktop speakers are Logitech Z680's so I they are good to go if I have everything straight here.

 

The optical and the stereo out share the same 3.5mm jack.

 

I see. Very cool!

Guess that answers my questions .

Thanks guys.

 

As stated above... that is correct... and you're welcome.

 

The belkin high speed docking station is working fine on Linux?

 

be careful of the older/less expensive USB dock bars (like Kensington/Belkin) with video - they are poor low quality. low resolution options - many returned them for the low qual video

the new ExpressCard version however is supposed to be great - the expresscard has the bandwidth as Justin noted

 

The belkin high speed docking station have up to 1600x1200 32bits is better than Toshiba Dynadock with DVI 1600x1200 24bits, These Docking stations are the best

My question is, Is the Video of these Docking Stations working fine with Ubuntu or with anyother distribution Linux?
Somebody have tried it?

 

I'm wondering about something, if you hook that Belkin thing up to a laptop that does not have DVI, will you still be able to use a monitor with DVI?

 

It will give you DVI, but not for the graphics card that is built into your laptop. These units typically have their own built-in graphics chipsets that can clone or extend your desktop, but they usually won't when you run 3D.