HP DV5T and Quickdock

I just found the HP Quickdock on amazon for $40, as opposed to the $100 on the HP site, but there are two different versions.

$40 Version
http://www.amazon.com/Hewlett-Packard-HP-QUICKDOC-Quickdoc-Docking/dp/B000IMWI6E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1230839278&sr=8-1

$100 Version
http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/product/product_detail/KN744AA%2523ABA

And the $100 version on Amazon is referred to as HP Quickdock 2.0 and shows support for the DV5 specifically.

http://www.amazon.com/HP-KN744AA-ABA-Quickdock-2-0/dp/B001COCG9G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1230839278&sr=8-2

However, the $40 dollar version doesn't show support for the DV5. Some other models are show but with reduced functionality in the product description.

So does anyone what the reduced functionality means? Will only certain ports work, will none work, or is this just a scam to get me to buy the $100 dollar version?

I would much rather pay $40 over $100, especially if they are the same thing. Any help is appreciated!

EDIT: Ok, after a little digging I found out it comes down to the expansion port -- the Dv5 has an expansion port 3 connector. However, I am still trying to figure out if the expansion ports differ between the quickdock and the quickdock 2.0?

 

Past user reported that the first quickdock doesnt work with dv5t even though they use the same expansion port 3 and have the same ports. First quickdock actually had more ports like Component out/SPDIF.

I believe HP greedily removed compatibility to make money from the QuickDock 2.0

As for reduced functionality, its only for older expansion port 2 notebooks where it uses the adapter.

You are gonna have to purchase QD 2.0

 

Thanks flipfire! I was really hoping the cheaper one would work, especially with the component out for HDTV's.

Maybe I will just wait for the price to come down on the Quickdock 2.0 or wait for a newer one with a few more ports -- HDMI, DVI, or ESATA maybe.

Another question, will the Quickdock use the same type of power adapter that came with my notebook, or is it a separate one entirely?

EDIT: Looks like the Quickdock 2.0 has an SPDIF output, but no other analog outputs like S-video out or a composite out. That's a bummer because I was looking to use this to hook up to my old CRT TV in my room for video playback or other things.

 

It uses the same power adapter as your notebook. The quickdock will then be able to power any expansion port 2 & 3 notebook.

I do not think they will be adding HDMI, DVI or ESATA. Im ticked off they didnt have HDMI out because all of my stuff would have been running off the quickdock using 1 cable.

I use my quickdock for my dv2000 and older m2000 (expansion port 2). Quickdock is very handy though.

 

Yeah its really annoying with school to unplug everything everyday, then replug everything back in again when I get home.

I'm going to scavenge ebay now for a Quickdock 2.0 -- a lower price should offset the port selection a little bit.

Just curious how do the analog outputs like s-video and composite perform on the older Quickdock model?

 

Never tried them to be honest. Never had the cables...

The Quickdock is a very good solution. My desk has a crap load of peripherals and its all plugged in using the single quickdock cable. I just unplug it when i use it on my bed

 

Nice setup!

Yeah, I am still probably going to get the Quickdock 2.0 just for the ease of one cable and probably another power brick so I don't have to crawl under my desk everyday.

I can't tell you how many times I have hit my head at 6 in the morning doing that.

 

Will the HDMI out still work with the laptop connected to the quickdock?

 

Yes it will

 

Just an update, it seems HP has come out with a new docking station.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/09/hps-usb-2-0-docking-station-adds-in-displaylink-technology/

And I do see a DVI port there!

However, this specific docking station uses a single USB port rather than an expansion port for throughput. It targets netbooks like the HP Mini that don't have an expansion port. Its pretty impressive they can get enough bandwidth out of a single USB port to run all those peripherals, especially a high resolution monitor up to 1680 x 1050!

I would still prefer a dock through the expansion port, so maybe this is an indication that HP will update their other docks as well???

 

Thanks for the update.

I dont see how USB 2.0's bandwidth can support all those ports

 

That is what I was thinking -- I mean USB 2.0 is slooooooow!

Especially with four USB ports, lan, audio, and a DVI-out. Maybe USB 3.0 could accomplish this, but I won't believe it until I see the dock up and running with a digital output at 1680 x 1050 with no lag or ghosting.

Hopefully though, this means HP will update their docks with better port selection, or at least lower the price of the Quickdock 2.0.

 

i dont believe it can do that... i mean, its designed for small "mini" laptops without expansion ports, so im guessing its not meant to do resolutions that high.
my other thought is when would you ever have all four USB ports using the full capacity at once? 4 external drives copying data at once?
audio is possible. even lossless audio is only 1000kb/s.
lan would only really be used for internet, so 8MB/s average ish. although i doubt anyone gets what they are sold in actual browsing usage.

USB 2.0 has a rating of 340MB/s so it could be possible.

edit:
ive been proved wrong.

interesting. sounds like some form of external graphics processor. i think that should be possible since its only sending raw data out, and not having the data rich processed signal coming back in through USB to the internal screen.