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    What exactly is a docking station?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by TripleH, Jun 11, 2006.

  1. TripleH

    TripleH Notebook Consultant

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    I was told to get one, but are they really needed? Also, arent they expensive and they sit right under the laptop? That would be very uncomfortable to use :confused:
     
    TripleH, Jun 11, 2006
    #1
  2. coriolis

    coriolis Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes, they are but they add ALOT more ports, USB, S-Video, DVI(Some), etc.
     
    coriolis, Jun 11, 2006
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  3. TripleH

    TripleH Notebook Consultant

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    Im wondering if it would be worth it for the DVI port alone. Im using VGA right now to my ext LCD, but I was told DVI is a lot sharper.
     
    TripleH, Jun 11, 2006
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  4. ejl

    ejl fudge

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    does your external lcd use dvi? if it doesn't then you will have to buy a new monitor.
     
    ejl, Jun 12, 2006
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  5. TripleH

    TripleH Notebook Consultant

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    Yes. I have yet to see a LCD via DVI to compare to VGA connection.
     
    TripleH, Jun 12, 2006
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  6. Amol

    Amol APH! NBR Reviewer

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    Amol, Jun 12, 2006
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  7. TripleH

    TripleH Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks Zox - do you know if there is a noticeable difference between VGA and DVI? Were talking analog and digital inputs right?
     
    TripleH, Jun 12, 2006
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  8. Amol

    Amol APH! NBR Reviewer

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    I haven't used them at all,so I can't vouch for that. But technically,there SHOULD be a difference,but the question is how noticeable it is. Maybe you have to have two of them side by side to tell but I'm not sure.
     
    Amol, Jun 12, 2006
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  9. vassil_98

    vassil_98 Notebook Deity

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    Does anyone know a docking station with a cooler? I've always thought this is a nice combination but I haven't seen any.
     
    vassil_98, Jun 12, 2006
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  10. Amol

    Amol APH! NBR Reviewer

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    I did some googling,and I could only find this and this . But they aren't as "versatile" as other docking stations.
     
    Amol, Jun 12, 2006
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  11. vassil_98

    vassil_98 Notebook Deity

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    Thanks, maybe I should get into this buisness and patent a real docking station with a good cooler :); or maybe I can sell the idea to HP..
     
    vassil_98, Jun 14, 2006
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  12. Amol

    Amol APH! NBR Reviewer

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    Lol, I think there are practical complications and that's why it doesn't exist. Still, I wish you luck in your endeavour :p
     
    Amol, Jun 14, 2006
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  13. mikhail_scosyrev

    mikhail_scosyrev Notebook Consultant

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    If you get a docking station, with a cooler built in. The computer is standing... isn't it basically modifying a laptop into a desktop? :) What do you need a docking station for?



    _
     
    mikhail_scosyrev, Jun 15, 2006
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  14. TedJ

    TedJ Asus fan in a can!

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    Well, convenience comes to mind. Say at home you use an external monitor (VGA or DVI), mouse and keyboard, speakers, etc... That's a lot of stuff to plug and unplug each time you take your notebook with you. With the dock, it's one connection... a well designed dock acts like a cradle, you just slide your notebook in. Cori's point about the dock adding ports (especially legacy ports) also applies.

    TripleH, where possible you want a DVI connection to an LCD monitor, to avoid the D->A->D conversion you get with VGA... There is a difference in quality most noticable with high contrast areas, especially text.
     
    TedJ, Jun 15, 2006
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  15. Amol

    Amol APH! NBR Reviewer

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    Which means, if you don't have an in-built DVI port, there's defenitely going to be degradable quality? It makes sense :p
     
    Amol, Jun 15, 2006
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