R3000 "productivity port" missing? Help!

Hi everyone,

I ordered the R3000Z laptop at the Office Depot deal they recently had ($499 base cost). I'd now like to order an expansion base for it. Does anyone know what the expansion base port looks like? Do all laptop models include it? I'm concerned as I don't see anything offhand that would plug in to an expansion base and I really need to have a home setup that allows me to plug it in on the fly. I also noticed there are two expansion base models:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpdirect/shopping/scripts/home/store_access.jsp?product_code=PA399A%23ABA&template_type=product_detail&aoid=1024
http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpdirect/shopping/scripts/home/store_access.jsp?product_code=DL516A%23ABA&aoid=1024&template_type=product_detail&script_name=product.cgi

Is there a particular one I need? I noticed one is $100 more. Or is there other non-HP hardware out there that would work better?

Any advice would be appreciated. Right now I'm just really lost and would hate to order the wrong thing. Thanks!

- Matt.

 

I'm not sure if the X200 will work with your R3000Z notebook. I believe the X200 is for a different product line (newer models). But generally, the expansion base has a cable that attaches to the side of your R3000 (I think it's on the right). It's a thin & long (1.5") which will provide all the connectivity to the base/notebook. The 2nd model should be the one that would be compatible with your unit. best thing to do is call HP and verify.

You can get a USB port replicator (provides extra ports like PS2, Serial, Parallel), but it won't prop up your system like that. Targus has a couple products that will prop up your notebook and also give you the extra ports if needed, but in 2 seperate products.

http://www.targus.com/us/accessories_cables_hubs.asp
http://www.targus.com/us/accessories_workspace.asp

-Vb-

 

$249 is a lot for those things. Where is it $149???
They both appear to work with the R3000z according to the HP web page. The port adapter comes with the newer one. Kinda I gues making it backwards compatable I guess. That is what I have come to comprehend. I am interested in what you find or hear. Please report back! and where did you see one $100 cheaper???

 

To recap, I did end up calling HP and found the expansion base I needed. I could have gotten two types:

* DL516A
* XB2000

Both types would have worked with my R3000Z as both come with a special cable that plugs into the right side of the laptop while in the expansion base.

I chose the DL516A as it has more USB ports and from what I can tell, is the souped up version. While I found the best pricing on http://www.techexcess.net, I ended up going the EBay route and it worked great. Instead of paying $249 to HP, I ended up paying $120 for a brand new one. Froogle.com is a great way to find good prices.