Docking station for 5760...

I am a couple days away from pulling the trigger on my first laptop... a Sager 5760 from powernotebooks.com. I have already purchased a backpack, Brenthaven 17 Pro, and a mouse, VX Revolution, but I am interested in buying a docking station so that I can essentially use it like a desktop at home. I will mainly use it to hook it up to my external mointor (DVI), external hard drive, and keyboard/mouse. I havent seen any listed specifically listed for the sager line of notebooks but I understand that the 5760 is very similar to the dell m1710. Would it be possible to use the m1710 docking station for my sager or is there another that you can recommend?

This is my first post and have been extremely impressed with the forums and its wealth of information. Are there any other accessories that I should consider purchasing?

 

You can't use the Dell XPS M1710 docking station because it uses a proprietary connector - Dell notebooks have a Dell-specific port on them where their docking stations connect. Only Dell notebooks can use them. There are other manufacturers that do the same thing, such as Lenovo with the ThinkPads.

Sager does not have any specific docking stations; however there are general port replicators/docking stations that can be purchased. They usually connect to the notebook through a USB port. Here's one we reviewed:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3159
I believe Targus makes one as well. Docking stations are quite convenient because if you get up and leave, you only have to put one plug in instead of five or six when you get back.

I would recommend a mousepad to go along with that nice mouse.
Thanks, we hope you stick around to post.

 

There might be a solution that fits your needs. Apparently, Belkin has a new ExpressCard54 Slot Dock that might work for you...assuming it works as promised and doesn't have it's own onboard GPU.

Link

Though you'll probably have to wait a month or two before you can get it. Most, if not all, of the USB Docks only support VGA resolutions of up to 1024x768 or 1280x1024 with 32-bit color. No DVI based USB Docks either.

But the Belkin might be your answer.

 

Wow thanks for the speedy response. It seems I will have to wait before a proper port replicator meets my needs. Until then I will have to simply do it the old fashioned way... get up and change the channel by hand.

Hey since we are on a similar topic any suggestions/reviews of any notebook cooling pads? How viable are they with the underside layout of a 5760? I looked one up by lian li and have always heard good things about their products. Thanks a ton, I have been drooling about this notebook for awhile and am always thinking of new stuff.

 

Another option you could consider is a simple USB hub. I use a small thumb hub and plug my keyboard, mouse, and printer into it. I only take out the one USB hub whenever I need to take my notebook with me.

Generally only business-class laptops have docking station as options (with the exception of the XPS M1710 that you mentioned).

 

I actually don't understand why you'd want a docking station...
The 5760 has a DVI connector, and 4 USB ports. From what you've listed, you can connect your monitor, keyboard, mouse and ext hard drive all directly to the laptop and you'd still have an empty USB port...
What would be the point of a docking station?

The only thing I can see that you might need is a little USB hub like chrisyano mentioned.

 

I was looking into a docking station for when I come home I can just click in and be setup instead of messing around connecting wires. I know its not a big deal but I thought it would be a nice ammenity. Ill just pick up a notebook cooler for added usb ports and better cooling.

Just found out it will be 2-3wks before I can even order the 5760 but when i get it ill let you guys know what I think about it.

 

Hi and good luck on your purchase. I agree with Chaz that you need a good mousepad there; it's just as important as the mouse itself. For my Logitech G5 mouse I use a Razer eXactMat mousepad, very large and made of solid aluminium. I'm very satisfied.

C.