Dock for x7200?

I think my 7200 should be delivered tomorrow. I have searched xoticpc, sager, and google for a dock for it. I know they offer to sell a dock when you order the computer, but I will be damned if I can find a picture or any specs on them (mostly want to know # of monitor connectors and whether the docks support USB 3.0).

Anyone have a link, picture, or other spec for a Docking station for these?

 

I've never seen a docking station specifically for the x7200, and AFAIK one does not exist. There might be some "generic" stations which hook up through USB, but nothing that would allow video to flow except from general DVI/HDMI ports. For instance, I use a Kensington "lift" station which allows me to run the x7200 along side a normal LCD, but video still comes right out of the DVI port.

What docking station did you see when you placed your order?

 

The closest to a dock I've seen is just a USB hub you can purchase from anyone. Maybe look into those?

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

I didnt actually see a picture of a dock, it was just offered in the order form at Xotic:

- Port Replicator / Dock / Adapters: No Dock/Hub/Adapter

What that represents, I have no idea.

jclausius - is this the lift station you use? You have any temp problems on your laptop?

LiftOff ™ Portable Notebook Cooling Stand - K60149 - Kensington

 

Here is my choice: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER SF-19 Strike Force Notebook Cooler Model SGA-6000-KKYF1

It has 4 ports of USB 3.

 

Mines sitting on one now. It actually cools the thing enough that the palmrest on the right side where the ssd is is cold and the left side where the storage drive lives is barely warm. Makes some noise on full fan output to get that cooling which on mine is 8, 9 degrees total in games, I havent measured idle. On lower levels where it is silent there is very little cooling. I have a usb 3 drive that I picked up and the ports work fine. An interesting oddity here is that the laptop will not boot up with the ports plugged in. THe power switch is completely unresponsive. Unplug the usb and it boots normally.

General stuff. This is not a small cooler measuring I'm guessing taller than 3" in back and an inch or so in front. It must be plugged into an outlet. The combination makes for what at least to me is not a portable cooler. You park it and leave it. Construction is quite good.

As a usb hub this is obviously overpriced and lacking video support its not really a dock. IMO this is an excellent piece when viewed as a serious cooling solution with built in hub where portability is not a requirement which can serve as a dock for those that do not need video.

 

So, I can plug it into the dock and just hook up desktop monitors directly to the two video cards? That would probably work.

I am just planning on it being a dock for home. I will not travel with the cooler, so portability is not an issue. Going to see how this x7200 works as a full-on DTR. If I want more oomph, I will upgrade my desktop later this year (before Skyrim!).

 

I'm using an old Kensington K60702 (which I don't use for any port replication). Mostly it lines up the x7200 along side a 21" LCD and they run side by side.

In regards to heat (mid-50 C under normal use), I had to make some modifications to the slot where the laptop goes so the chassis doesn't slide in all the way. It appeared at that depth, the fans were covered by the bottom of the stand. But some cardboard (covered w/ rubbermaid drawer/shelf liners) resolved that problem.

HTH