M4700 Owners Thread

A wireless USB dongle keyboard like that will work fine. Bluetooth is also an option.

The docking stations don't have HDMI and furthermore they block off the HDMI port on the back of the laptop or at least make it very difficult to plug anything in to. So you're right, you'll need a DisplayPort->HDMI adapter. Such things exist, most of them are active (they do have internal electronics). I know there are passive DP->DVI adapters but I'm not sure about HDMI. Anyway, this one looks good. Just read reviews (Newegg is a good site for this) and pick one that other people like.

Finally you'll want to make sure you get a power supply that's at least as capable as the one that comes with the system (180W for the M4700?) to go with your docking station but you can always buy it separately if that is easier.

 

Great info, thanks. It's strange they even offer a docking station with a power supply that is less that the laptop it is supposed to support (180W as you mentioned). Maybe it's a typo.

Can anyone confirm the E-port plus has an ethernet jack (RJ45)?
You'd think it would, but then again you'd think it would have an HDMI port too.

 

It does.

The newest ones have USB 3 as well.

 

Thanks Bokeh.

What Bluetooth devices do you guys use? I'm not all that familiar with what's available besides keyboards and mouse. Anybody consider BT a "must have?"

It's not that it saves much $ to not get it, it's just one less piece of hardware and drivers to worry about, if there are perfectly acceptable substitutes for BT devices. Of course, I may be missing something.

 

I've used BT before and stopped using it in favor of good old 2.4GHz wireless gear as well as wired gear. I have yet to find something that works as good or better using bluetooth. A mouse and kb for office use would be alright, but forget gaming. The tech has matured, but I still haven't really found a use for it. Still, I'm somewhat of a better have it and not need it guy so I had installed on my M6700.

 

I use Logitech and Razer peripherals and they have their own connections.

I will very rarely use a BT Apple Magic mouse.

I like having BT, but I usually have it disabled to avoid any security issues.

 

What does the Unified Security Hub (USH) do? I even searched on Broadcom's website since they apparently make the USH, and couldn't find a description.

It apparently has some relation to the LCD monitor (among other things) since the ordering option changes to a USH monitor if you select a USH/fingerprint/smart card option.

Not sure but maybe a better way to ask is, without USH, what security risks are increased?

 

I've looked for what the USH does and information is scarce. My own guess is that certain hardware is locked unless you log in. I'm betting it also takes of managing the various security hardware like the fingerprint reader and such. Remember, that is a guess on my part.

 

I think I found the Broadcom device that is used to implement the USH:
Secure Applications Processor - BCM5882 | Broadcom
The description seems to fit anyway. USH must be Dell's terminology, since it's not found in the Broadcom literature.

 

Aside from occasional use with a bluetooth keyboard, I find it handy to have for occasionally transferring files to/from mobile phones.