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    HP Docking Station Help

    Discussion in 'HP' started by chrixx, Dec 24, 2006.

  1. chrixx

    chrixx Product Specialist NBR Reviewer

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    Hi,
    I'm interested in getting a basic docking station for my nx8420/nc8430 notebook. However, I see two identical docking stations with different part numbers. They are the PA286A and the EN488AA, both retailing at AU$215 and AU$288 respectively. Are both of them actually identical? If so, what's with the difference in price?
    Upon further research, I discovered that the PA286A is introduced in conjunction with the nx8220/nc8230, which is a little over a year ago, while the EN488AA is apparently released at the same time as the nx8420/nc8430. Both are, however, still on sale.
     
    chrixx, Dec 24, 2006
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  2. stevenator128

    stevenator128 Notebook Evangelist

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    If you can't see a difference, get the cheaper one :p.
     
    stevenator128, Dec 24, 2006
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  3. sjordi

    sjordi Notebook Geek NBR Reviewer

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    well maybe the connectors are different for the old one and may not match the ones on your nc8430, avoiding you to clip the laptop onto it?
    I have the basic station for nc8430.
     
    sjordi, Dec 24, 2006
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  4. johannes140

    johannes140 Notebook Enthusiast

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    The AC adapter is different. They both have 120W, but the NC8430 (docking station EN488AA/UT) uses a new "smart adapter", therefor the old docking station (PA286A) would not work with your notebook. What you can do: Buy an old docking station (on ebay), get a new 120W/135W smart adapter (on ebay, too) and use those together. The EN488UT is available for 136.59USD with free shipping on costcentral.com, btw.

    Merry christmas.
     
    johannes140, Dec 25, 2006
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  5. chrixx

    chrixx Product Specialist NBR Reviewer

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    That's really helpful. Thanks for pointing it out. In that case, I think I'll get the EN488AA on my travel next month.

    Merry Christmas!
     
    chrixx, Dec 25, 2006
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