Docking an X220

I am looking to buy a dock for an X220. I need the solution to allow me to switch between using 2 external monitors (i.e. a Dell 1920x1200 via DVI and a Dell 1680x1050 via VGA) at the same time with desktop speakers to a home theatre system (i.e. receiver and TV @ 1920x1080 via DisplayPort to HDMI with video and audio). I don't need to use the X220 screen while it is docked.

1) Will the ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 meet my requirements above? Is that the best dock for me?

2) Are there any advantages to the ThinkPad UltraBase Series 3 besides portability? It appears to not have a DVI port, so I assume that will not work very well for me.

3) Will the X220/dock support audio out through the dock's DisplayPort? Will it support surround sound?

4) Is there a quick way to tell the X220/dock to switch the sound output from the headphone output or USB (i.e. desktop speakers) to the DisplayPort (i.e. home theatre system)?

5) Can you configure the X220/dock to automatically switch video from the laptop screen to the primary and secondary external monitors when the laptop is docked?

6) Is there any downside to using a dock? Is the video or audio quality worse?

7) Does the laptop get charged while it is in the dock?

Thanks for any help.

 

ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 should meet your requirement, since it has 2 displayport which could handle the audio signal as well

 

Yea, get the mini dock plus as icesample said. Search on ebay, you can find sellers in China selling them for significantly cheaper than what Lenovo sells them at.

 

Thanks for pointing me to the ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 - 90W. It looks like it has more ports, so I might as well get that, if cost is not an issue. If anyone else can address any of my questions that would be great.