E-Port replicator suitable for Precision M4700

Hi Team

I've not had much luck getting info on port replicators from Dell. The sales rep is trying hard but I get the feeling I'd be better off talking to someone on the technical side. I thought I'd ask here first.

I want to run two external monitors on a M4700 via a port replicator. Some basic specs:
Win 7 Pro, 8 GB, i7-3530M @ 2.9GHz
NVIDIA Quadro K2000M
2 x Dell 1905FP (VGA & DVI connections only).
The monitors are nothing special - I just happen to own them and they are identical, which might make for relaxing viewing.

In my region, Dell offers a choice of two port replicators and these are:

(1) A simple E-port replicator (Manufacturer Part# : YVX1D | Dell Part# : 452-11524)
E-Port Simple Port Replicator II for Dell Precision Laptops (Australia/New Zealand) : PC Accessories | Dell New Zealand

(2) An advanced E-port replicator (Manufacturer Part# : XPM70 | Dell Part# : 452-11521)
E-Port Plus Advanced Port Replicator II for Dell Precision Laptops (AU/NZ) : PC Accessories | Dell New Zealand

I have the following questions - please answer any or all!
Q1 Do I need option (2) or could I use option (1) with one monitor attached as VGA and the other as DVI?
Q2 Option (1) comes with a 130W external power adapter - will that be sufficient to drive the laptop and monitors? I've read some comments that suggest that this power supply is not adequate for a M4700.
Q3 Option (2) is cheaper BUT there is no mention of an external power supply so I suspect it does not come with one. I guess I just use the one that came with the laptop. Is that correct? [Sorry I know nothing about port replicators.]
Q4 The webpage for option (2) has no specifications for this replicator. What ports is it likely to have?

Thanks for any help you are able to give.

Best wishes Jim

 

I believe option 2 has USB 3 as a differentiator, but I believe both should work.

The M4800 wants 180 or more Watts - the 4700 might be the same.

I found one on eBay for very cheap, that also came with a 240W adapter - maybe see if something like that can be had in your area?

 

Any semi-recent port replicator will do as long as the power supply is adequate. Even the ones that were meant for the M4400 and up will work perfectly well.

 

You can use your laptop power supply, I personally would grab a advanced one from ebay.

use pr02x (advanced) or pr03x (simple) to serach.

 

Thanks, the three of you.

I will, however, buy from Dell - basically I have no idea what I'm doing and they offer "Dell Technical Support, when used with a Dell system" and I fear I am going to need it...

 

That's fine, but you can always try to haggle.

 

As far as I know, the main difference between dock models advertised for different laptop models is the power supply that comes with it. Looking at it on the bright side, you'll have a second power adapter for your laptop once you get the dock.

 

Agreed - I was very happy to get a dock and 240W adapter for the price of just the adapter.

 

Is that so? Ok that's sounds like a good strategy if a 130W adapter might be a bit underpowered... Will try Dell Tech Support to see if they can tell me which of their port replicators come with a 240W adapter.

The website is hopeless - at least for my region. No Tech Spec tab or details that are self-evident. Like this, for example:

E-Port Simple Port Replicator II for Select Dell Latitude Laptops : PC Accessories | Dell New Zealand

Thanks J

 

Just to add an outcome to this thread - I always like to know what happened when I read these threads.

So Dell came to the party with a very nice E-Port Plus Advanced Port Replicator II - I have no idea what all these qualifications imply, but for the sake of completeness, that's what this is. And a 240W adapter, all at a sharp price.

Thank you Dell.

So far absolutely no issues. I have two monitors: one VGA and one DVI. The laptop kind of just knew what to do. All I had to do was hit WindowsKey + P, select extended display and voila!

Ahhhhhhhhhh heaven.

My only question for those of you reading this far is - how do you attach two monitors both DVI? There are two DVI ports at the back of the replicators, but if you plug both monitors in this way, you lose one and the laptop fan gets a bit excited. I read somewhere that this is to be expected and some solutions were offered but it was a bit over my head. Anybody able to give me either a simple explanation of whether this is possible (and what adapter I might need) or a link to where this is explained in words of one syllable?

Thanks for all your help. This is much better than hunching over my laptop.

Cheers J