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    ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 170W vs 135W

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by betaelmer, Apr 6, 2011.

  1. betaelmer

    betaelmer Notebook Enthusiast

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    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?
     
  2. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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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.
     
  3. erik

    erik modifier

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  4. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    but does the 170 watt adapter works in the 135 watt dock? doesn't the 170 w adapter have a stub on the plug?
     
  5. erik

    erik modifier

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  6. halobox

    halobox Notebook Deity

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  7. erik

    erik modifier

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    correct.   the nub prevents the W520 170W adapter from being plugged into different systems yet allows the W520 itself to use smaller 135W, 90W, and 65W adapters in a pinch (although i wouldn't recommend the 65W whatsoever).
     
  8. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    so basically you can't plug the 170 watt adapter into the 135 watt dock right?
     
  9. erik

    erik modifier

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    correct.   i edited my post for clarification since it didn't portray this point as intended.
     
  10. betaelmer

    betaelmer Notebook Enthusiast

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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.