ThinkPad T440s + Nvidia = no docking

Hi guys,
sorry for posting this aside the regular T440s thread, but I think it should be separately and visible to all, who wanted to buy this ultrabook with discrete graphic card. I found it on Swedish pages of Lenovo and there is stated following: "Traditional docks are not available for T440s w/Nvidia graphics - however USB docking alternatives are available."

If you don't believe me, see for yourself: http://shop.lenovo.com/se/sv/laptops/thinkpad/t-series/t440s/

Now we can really buy Zenbook or MacBook, since Lenovo went completely insane...

 

That was known here since a long time I think. And most people here propably won´t care, because most users here are from North America, where Lenovo does not sale the T440s with nVidia GPUs anyway. Very likely because of this fact.

The Dockingport was cut off from these models due to additional vent-holes on the bottom. Anyway, the T440p with its thicker chassis and bigger fan seems to be better suited for a discrete GPU.

I don´t recall Zenbooks or Macbooks (13" in this case) available with a DockingPort or discrete graphics.

 

I haven't heard about absence of docking port at all and I don't understand that analogy. If there is any probability, that you would need docking, it is definitely for the model with discrete graphics.

New MacBook 13" Retina has Iris Graphics, which is quite powerful and new Zenbook is either Iris Pro or HD4400 + GT730M.

 

This was discussed here nearly since 3 months now (since the announcement of the T440s). We also had one user who shared some pictures of his T440s with dGPU here. In the position of the Dockinport were just some more additonal venting-holes.

Why? Dockings are also very useful for models with iGPUs. I don´t see why the dGPU models needs a DockingPort more than the iGPU models.

Iris 5100 Graphics might be more powerfull than the HD 4400, but still nothing compared to Iris Pro 5200 or a dedicated card. The performance gain is still small.

I can only find these specs for the newest Zenbooks: Notebooks & Ultrabooks - ASUS ZENBOOK UX301LA There are no GPUs listed other than the Iris 5100 and the Hd 4400.

 

I'm sorry to miss the post with T440s with discrete graphic, because I wouldn't be waiting till now.

I guess, you would buy discrete graphic card (Nvidia/AMD) for more performance, therefore you will use it for simulations, CAD, etc ... => need for external monitors => need for docking more than with integrated Intel graphic card

Zenbooks will be two models UX301 (Iris Pro), UX302 (HD 4400 + GT 730M) more here: ASUS Announces Zenbook UX301 and UX302 with Sleek Glass Finish | ASUS Press Global

I briefly checked benchmarks and Iris Pro (5200) beats GT 730M and Iris (5100) isn't that far away from Nvidia results, I don't understand, why Lenovo didn't use at least GT 750M, like Apple did. Actually I think, Lenovo is using always for T series some middle class graphic and never high-end, although the pricing is suggesting something else.

 

There is no docking port on the nVidia version because there is no Space. By the way if you buy the 730M for gaming then it sucks because its the gk208 chip which is pretty slow :/.

 

The T440s with nVidia graphics is clearly marked as "non-dockable" on the European Lenovo order sites, this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone selecting that option.

A reason to go for the 730m option with the T440s is the fact that it can fully output UHD (3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz) via MiniDP, something not possible with the Intel processor graphics (they max out at 30 Hz for that resolution, which is unsuitable for desktop usage).

 

Can you please provide the link where you can see the pictures of the T440s with dGPU? Thanks!

 

I've known the Nvidia/docking conflict since the T440s was released but I've never understood the appeal of a dGPU in an ultrabook like the T440s anyway. If I was buying an ultrabook with low-voltage CPU then it would be for its portability and battery life, not to use for CPU/GPU intensive tasks like CAD. Yes, ultrabooks can still be powerful enough for a lot of tasks, but to complain because they cannot compete with workstation-class machines or output to a 4K monitor is kinda missing their point. That's why I opted for a quad-core T440p rather than a T440s

 

I am sorry. I would, if I could, but I simply can´t find these pictures anymore...

 

Sorry for digging this up after a month but here are the pictures in case somebody is still looking:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/len...website-ips-screen-1080p-199.html#post9413829

Btw, I have a T440s with dGPU and I bought it fully aware of the issue and have it connected to a 27" 2560x1440 monitor via miniDP very often. The way my desk is set up (laptop stands vertically) wouldn't allow a docking station anyway. I do have to connect 3 cables each time (power, miniDP and monitor's USB 3.0 hub) but I'm ok with that. I do like having the extra GPU power when I need it.