Really dumb docking question

I've never used a docking station before (I've always had desktops at home), but I'm probably going to use my new T60p as a home computer as well.

When using a docking station with a T60p with an external monitor, do all of the docking stations require that the computer be open, or can it operate while closed in the dock?

I looked around for an answer, but I think my question is to dumb to have been answered before.

Thanks.

 

Welcome!

You can most certainly use the dock with the computer open or closed.

 

Thanks for letting me know. How exactly does it work? Do you have to power the computer up while on the dock (open), then close it? Or can you connect a powered-down, closed computer to the dock and somehow power it on without opening it?

Thanks,
dbone

 

Well, I've never owned a dock before, so I might not be 100% correct. But, what you do is on your windows power settings, set it so that it does nothing when you close the lid. That way, the laptop is still on completely, but the screen is just closed and turned off.
And I'd think you'd have to turn the laptop on before you dock it.
Once again, not entirely sure, but from my understanding, that's how it works.

 

Any decent docking station has a power button that turns on/off the laptop while docked, so that you do not have to open and close the lid.

 

Ok, I thought they would, but wasn't sure. It would be a pain to go and have to open the laptop to turn it on...

 

I use the Advanced Mini-dock. It certainly has a power button. All I have to do is to dock the notebook, press the power button, and all ready to go. It's like having a laptop AND a desktop all at the same time. I recommend Advanced Mini Dock over the Port Replicator because the Advanced Mini Dock comes with its own power supply. Zaz of this forum made the recommendation, and it eminently made sense, and I am very glad that I followed it.