The correct docking station of W520 should be ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 (170W). Yet, in Canada, we can neither order this docking station nor the 170W power supply for W520. I am wondering whether beside the power supply differences, is ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 identical between 170W version and 135W version.
Since 135W power supply can still be used with W520 and it's physically smaller, maybe I can just order ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 (135W) version and use the 170W power supply that shipped with W520 to hook up the port replicator. And then use 135W power supply as my secondary power supply.
Any thought?
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there is not many hard facts about this from Lenovo, most people can only offer speculations. But given that you have to make a purchase of such product, it is best that you wait a little bit longer until more concrete information presents itself before you decide which way you want to go with this.
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the difference between the two is in the adapter size provided with the dock. the 135W combo is intended for W510 owners where the 170W version is intended for W520 owners.
Lenovo Support - ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 135W - Overview
Lenovo Support - ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 170W - Overview -
but does the 170 watt adapter works in the 135 watt dock? doesn't the 170 w adapter have a stub on the plug?
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the W520 170W socket is the same as the 65W, 90W, and 135W adapters. the W700 adapter socket is smaller and therefore unique to the W700/W701 series.
W520: Lenovo Support - ThinkPad 170W AC Adapter for W520 - Overview
W700: Lenovo Support - ThinkPad 170W AC Power Adapter for W700 - Overview
despite both being 170W, these two adapters are not interchangeable.
the W520, however, will run with a 135W adapter -- just not at full performance under heavy load. -
The connector on the 170 is different than the 135. See http://msinetpub.vo.llnwd.net/d1/keithcombs/blog/images/w520/connect.jpg
Also according to the review and blog post at Lenovo ThinkPad W520 - mini review - Keith Combs' Blahg - Site Home - TechNet Blogs, you can use the W520 in the 135w dock, but the max number of monitors supported is 2 instead of 4. -
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so basically you can't plug the 170 watt adapter into the 135 watt dock right?
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correct. i edited my post for clarification since it didn't portray this point as intended.
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Thanks everyone. So I should wait for the availability of 170W version of docking station as both the power supply and the power plug of docking station is different.
ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 170W vs 135W
Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by betaelmer, Apr 6, 2011.