Does Port Replicator Slow Down Machine?

I am considering buying a Lenovo 3000 n200. The only thing holding me back is it appears you can't attach the 3000s to a docking station - only to a port replicator. I see the port replicator attaches to the machine via a USB port. As I understand it docking stations work differently - they effect a direct connection between the serial, VGA and other ports, essentially duplicating them.

My question is, will attaching my peripherals via a port replicator slow down the machine's performance, since all the i/o has to go through one little USB port? Do you generally get better performance with a docking station vs. a port replicator?

I appreciate the help.

 

Yes and No!

 

Can you elaborate?

 

Yes, you get better performance with the docking station.
It acts like an expansion of the physical bus of the motherboard, whereas if you plug something into one USB port, all the hardware in the replicator must 'emulate' the hardware functions of what the dock station does naturally

 

I would wait to get a good deal on a thinkpad.

I find that for stuff like accessories like docks, thinkpads were made for them. The Lenovo series are more consumer grade. With deals out there on think pads your better off getting the real thing.

I am so glad I returned the lenovo y410 and got a think pad.