Docking Stations - Question

I bought the Kensington Docking Station with my new Dell Laptop. (For some reason??!!, the docking station did NOT a VGA or PS2 inputs)

Called Dell, They Said NONE of their docking stations have these inputs
Anyone else using a docking station with their Laptop? Thanks

NEED:

VGA Input for Montior
PS2 Input for Mouse
PS2 Input for Keyboard
Network 10/100
Pararel Port

PLUS:

Charge the Laptop when connected to the Docking station

 

What do you have then, maybe you just bought a USB port expander? I don't know why Dell would tell you that, maybe they're confused by your question, as docking stations do include at least a VGA passthrough, though many don't offer PS2 any longer.

 

The Kensington 'docking station' is pretty much worthless. I bought mine thinking that it would have things such as VGA and that it might be able to charge my laptop via the dock(I'm used to Latitude docking stations) But when I pulled it out of the box I quickly relized I just spent $100 on something I'd probably never use.

 

http://www.sitecom.com/product.php?...roductcode=CN-028&productid=279&subgroupid=19

cheers ...

 

Syndrome - that Kensington Dock station is worthless, mines going back to Dell this week. NOTE to new laptop buyers ---> ignore Dell's docking Stations when configuring up to a Rebate level.

Regarding the Site link above ...... "Sitecom products are on sale all over Europe."

Regarding Keyboards and Mouse - Most being sold now are PS2 or Wireless, some, but few are USB.

40 more minutes hunting on the internet ... still NO PS2 AND VGA inputs on the same Docking station. Plenty with Sound inputs, stereo, 5.1, mono ....., I thought Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor/Recharging the battery was docking 101. WRONG.

My older Inspiron Docking station has all that. I slid the Laptop in, and forgot it was a Laptop until I traveled!

Thanks all for comments and input.

 

Keyboards and mice are standard on USB and have been for a while. While PS2 ones are still around, they're not the standard any longer. I think you're going to have to buy converters or find an old docking station.

 

I hear you Brian, it's just odd when I'm trying to find USB now, I am running into more PS2s or of course Wireless.

Here is one alternative to the Kensington crap ...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1597389&CatId=604

It's almost half the money, PLUS it has the (2) PS2 ports. Still no VGA though.


Product Specifications

* Computer Port:
- One upstream USB 2.0 Type B port
* I/O Ports:
- Two USB 2.0 downstream Type A ports
- One PS/2 Keyboard port Mini Din 6 pin
- One PS/2 Mouse Port Mini Din 6 pin
- One serial port DB 9 pin male
- One parallel port DB 25 pin female
- One 10/100M LAN port 8P8C RJ-45

Can't speak to the brand.... Vantec?

 

Careful though, The ones that do support true USB connection only, that do have a VGA port support pretty low resolutions. This one above only goes upto 1024x768 at 16bit

The only other one I've seen that does the same kind of thing is a targus one

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=ACP50US

It handles up to 1280 x 1024 at 16bit.

I frankly worry about the quality of these. Any one actually used one?

 

I did the very same thing and purchased the port replicator from Dell with my 1505. I was angry that they represented their "docking station" as a total solution for a laptop to be used as a desktop. They offer this port replicator with video http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0628371. I actually sent back the first 1505 because the screen was horrible and I kept getting an error when logging on that was irritating. After repeated attempts to get them to waive shipping, I finally conceded to pay for the shipping myself ($42). My new one is due to arrive tomorrow--we'll see what happens.