What happened to the old Docking station for X Series.

My first IBM was a 390 something, think a 390X, love that thing, big and large, but to big after awhile to carry. Later, I got a Gateway 200STM, (I think). Then I found a X20, nice, got a Port replicator (docking station) later moved to an X24, love to connect monitor and key board and dock and undock. I later moved to an X30 then X32, afterwards an X41 Tablet, with the X4 Dock (not X4 ultrabase, had X3 for X30 & X32). Well, recently I got me an X60 Tablet, no dock, just ultrabase, okay, cool. Then I just got an X200, no dock just ultrabase. WHAT HAPPENED?? I perfectly enjoyed having my Thinkpad docked to a monitor, keyboard, mouse, extra hard drives, then you wanted to go, undock, take it with you. Any others feel the same way. I am glad that the ultrabase are universal, I almost purchased an X60 "thinkpad" ultrabase for my tablet, glad I did some research and got the right ultrabase. I plan to my X200 ultrabase, which will work with either thinkpad or tablet.

 

I thought ultrabase and dock are the same thing.

 

X4 dock and X4 ultrabase dock, have no functional differences as such. The only difference between the X4 dock and ultrabase dock, was that the latter is portable, while the former is not. Furthermore, the X4 dock was compatible with all X4x/t series, while the X4 ultrabase dock was only compatible with the X40 and X41 system.

While, the X60/X61 systems used the X6 Ultrabase, and the tablet variants used the X6 Tablet Ultrabase.

The X20x/s/t variants use the same the X200 Ultrabase.

Ultrabase functions as a dock, so i am not sure what the OP is complaining about. The only thing that i hate about the pre-X200 Ultrabase, is that there was a variant for the normal x series and another one for tablet version.

 

Another minor thing - I found that typing on a laptop connected to the Ultrabase add extra support for the keyboard, which feels quite nice.

 

Sorry for the complaining, I realize the a dock and ultrabase function the same way. But I always perfered the dock as a leave at home, on the desk, docking station as opposed to the ultrabase, which, in my opinion, it a take with you dock to have additional options. With my old X20 series and X30, I did exactly that, it would stay docked on my desk, then if I took it with me, I would take by itself or with the ultrabase. I was just curious to see how many perfer the older style docking station vs the ultrabase that are only available for the upcomeing X series. My old mini dock for my long gone X30/X32 is being used as a charging station for my R50 only. But I guess my question was answer, most prefer the ultrabase. Thanks for the comments.

 

The Ultrabase is a dock, and meant for the use you talk about - leave at home or work. You can of course bring it with you, but then it'll feel like you're walking around with a laptop from 1993.

I've had the Ultrabase ever since I got the laptop 2 years ago, and I've never even considered bringing it anywhere. It might seem expensive, but it's soooo worth it if you bring the laptop back and forth.

 

I still don't get what's the problem here. The Ultrabase IS a dock station - its just called "Ultrabase", the reason - to attract business class users? It sounds like it was named by Alienware.

Old dock:



New dock: a.k.a. Ultrabase

 

The main difference between a normal docking station and an ultrabase is the form factor and the fact that it is a slice, i.e. an extension of the laptop. As an example you can more conveniently use it, i.e. without the power adapter plugged in and use the optical drive or HDD in the ultrabay. A small feature I like about the X200 ultrabase is the capability of charging an extra battery on the side.

 

I will not argue that they service the same purpose. I just felt more comfortable with the old style, all connections in the back, one button release, one button power on, straight dock from above . I can see from the all post that most fell comfortable with the new style. Good discussion, in my opinion.

 

I don't think people are saying they prefer one type over another. They are just describing that they serve the same purpose.

Personally I also prefer a traditional docking station.

 

The only complain that i have with the new X20x/s/t laptops is that they can't use the normal docking station the other thinkpads uses, and instead we have to get a separate ultrabase.

I love my X31, in that it can dock on the port replicator of the T4x or use its own ultrabase x3, which is quite convenient.

 

If I wanted to be picky, I'd say... it's missing an easy way to hook up an external graphic card. Express card 2.0 interface + desktop ATI Radeon 5850 is the only thing really missing on this thing.

 

you can always hook this Express card 2.0 interface to a X201.

 

That is exactly what I was saying, "for example" the mini dock that I had for my X30, X32, could be used with so many other thinkpads, like the R50 that I am using now. I was hoping to use my X200 (X60T @ first) separately from my desktop via KVM switch on my 22 inch Gateway screen. I had a great set up with my X30/X32, 15 inch IBM Flat screen, keyboard/mouse, 2 external hard drives (music/movies) DVD burner, speakers and printer all on one Docking station, all connected to the back via a usb hub. But when I want to take my X30/X32, undock and gone. I can't do that with my X6 ultrabase, because, (in my opinion), the X6 is part of the Thinkpad, make it a complete notebook. But, I will wait on the X200 Ultrabase, as I am using my X200 as my Technician notebook in my tech bag, so it really is not docked at all.