Desktop Docking Station for the Razer Blade 2014 - Share your setups!

The Razer blade is a great laptop and I'm loving mine, even though it cost me an arm and a leg! I am going to Grad school in a few weeks to the US and am planning to dual-use this laptop as a portable machine for classes as well as a desktop replacement in my apartment. I'm looking at configuring a docking-station setup for the Blade and was wondering if any fellow Razer-heads have a good setup already. Specifically, i want you know your thoughts on:

1) Cooling Pad for the Blade (CMStorm SF-15 maybe?)
2) USB 3.0 Docking Station w/ DisplayLink (to manage cable clutter and have Wired Ethernet, Audio and display though a single USB3.0 connection)
3) 3K or 4K widescreen or ultra-widescreen monitor(s)
4) Keyboard and Mice (not necessarily razer?)

If you already have a desktop setup using the Blade, please share pictures!

 

Here's my setup (2013 Razer Blade) but it's a mess. And it uses 2 of the 3 USB ports. Not really cool...



This product seems very interesting : Universal USB 3.0 DV Docking Station with Power | Targus

There might be the correct charging pin. But even if there is, they say it charges at 90 watt, so I guess this won't work with the Razer Blade (since it's 150W isn't it ?) ?

Has someone already tried that Targus dock ?

Thanks in advance for your answer

edit :

- I highly recommend the Orochi mouse. It's by Razer D), not the greatest gaming mouse but really portable, great for gaming on the go, has bluetooth (so no need for USB adaptors) and works really well.
- My keyboard is the Razer Deathstalker. Great keyboard if you like chiclet keyboard (I love the green retro-lighting).
- My screen is the HP Envy 27 screen with built-in speaker. It's a 1080p IPS screen. Looks great and the built in speaker are definitely worth it. I use it though HDMI.

 

1. Using a cheap Cooler Master pad, fan is loud on it (broken) so I just use it to raise the Blade off the desk.
2. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Based on my usage, I would NOT recommend any displaylink docking station for gaming. I used one of them ( LINK) and with my mouse, display, and ethernet plugged in, I had the worst input lag, and some graphical glitches in some games. For a CS GO player such as myself, instant return.
3. Cheap Acer 21.5 inch IPS Display, sold my 120hz monitor since I wouldnt be able to use it with the laptop. Man, the colors on IPS monitors made me cry tears of joy after I moved from the crappy 120hz TN panel.
4. Using a Deathadder 2013. Owned a Blackwidow 2012, loved it, shame it cant exactly fit into a notebook backpack, using a Logitech solar wireless keyboard now. Sucks I have to leave it in the sun to charge though...

 

That looks cool! I already have the Orochi and might end up using it in the desktop. A razer keyboard should really complete the look.

I'm not too concerned about feeding power through the docking station (that would be great though). The ultimate product would be something Razer should create - A Power/Cooling/USB/DisplayLink dock combo for the blade. I would throw my money at Razer again if they made something like that. Sigh.

 

Thanks for the tip on the Docking station. That one is now off my list. I tested out a Port replicator HP 3005pr USB 3.0 Port Replicator - Docking & port replicators - HP: H1L08AA#ABA for work and it seemed to be ok with 3D games. It all depends on the underlying DisplayLink chipset. They just released one that can do 4K off of USB ( DisplayLink: DL-5xxx family)

 

You can hit 2 birds with 1 stone by just getting a monitor that has a built in USB hub. I have a Dell U2913WM monitor and it has USB 3.0 built directly into the monitor. AFAIK, if you output video through a displaylink hub, you won't be able to use the 870M on your external display.

 

Oh, so Displaylinks are mainly to do some light office use or stuff like that ? That's not cool.

Might just buy a simple to clean the mess USB/Ethernet/SD hub then.

 

Pretty much just office stuff although I've personally never used Displaylink before.

DisplayLink: Common Questions

Is DisplayLink's video technology suitable for gaming?

While DisplayLink technology is targeted primarily to productivity and video applications, it is suitable for the casual gamer. If you're a "power gamer", looking for every edge possible over your opponents, you might want to go another route.

 

Ok thanks for your answer.

Another quick question : in "desktop mode", is it ok to close the Blade lid ? I mean when playing (for other use it's so cool that it won't change anything). I haven't really noticed a performance or thermal difference while playing but maybe for the overall lifespan of the laptop it might be better to keep it open ?

 

Anyone try this particular one from Belkin? I love the design, think it might improve cooling and you could strap on a small cooling pad if required:

Amazon.com: Belkin USB 3.0 Dual Video Docking Stand for Ultrabooks (2.1 Amp): Computers & Accessories

 

Hey guys. Trying to go a very similar route with my 2014 blade. Does anyone have any thoughts on gaming with the screen closed exclusively on an external monitor in regards to thermals or potential damage to the screen?

 

I'm also looking for a way to have my setup to minimize the number of things plugged into my laptop. Thinking of going the wireless KB/Mouse route but I still need one plug for power, one for usb hub (directly from external monitor), one for audio out, and one for HDMI out.

 

If you are going to game exclusively on an external...why go with the laptop?

 

I might've oversold the "Exclusively on monitor" bit but a couple of reasons;
1) I live in an NYC apartment with my wife so space is at a premium. I had a mid-tower Core 2 Quad system which I replaced with my Blade to free up some overall space. Plus the mid-tower generates more heat, is louder (well louder since the fans are on constantly), collects more dust and is generally unpleasant on the eyes.
2) I do travel for work and for fun several times a year so I appreciate a slim gaming laptop on the go. Between that and moving every couple of years I hate lugging around a desktop.
3) I'm a fan of minimalist design. The missus has a MBP connected to a Cinema Display at home and I like the elegant wire minimized setup.

With that said, I still have a dell 23" which I'd like to use since 1080p seems to be the sweet spot for the 870m without it having the fans spin out crazy loud and having consistently good framerates. Was thinking of getting:
1) Coolermaster Notepal U2
2) Switching my wired kb and mouse with Logitech K800 and Performance MX wireless

 

If you are a design nut, like myself, I recommend the HiRise by TwelveSouth - HiRise for MacBook - Twelve South

It's made for a mac, but it has such a nice clean aesthetic (although I would kill for one in black anodized aluminum)

 

It looks gorgeous but I was hoping to use my 23" Dell Monitor when sitting at home on my desk. The HiRise seems a bit High unless the Blade screen is to be used side-by-side or as a standalone. Was thinking of a stand more to just elevate the laptop off the desk for better airflow. The thing that bugs me most is my cables. I HATE cables. I'll post pics of my setup a bit later.

 

I'm getting a dell monitor soon and was wondering about the speed of the other USB ports since one upstream cable is powering (don't think that's the right word) 4-5 other usb 3.0 ports. Any noticeable differing say using a portable hard drive connected to the monitor ports?

 

I have not conducted any tests on speed. I will say that when my portable hard drive is connected to the monitor, the transfer speed is just as fast as if the hard drive was connected directly to the laptop. In other words, I have not noticed any difference in speed.

 

External hard drives are limited by mechanical speed and not the quality of the USB connection since there's no way they're saturating USB 2.0 or higher.

 

This is the home for my blade. I'm still looking for a good cooling solution. Currently I'm just raising the bottom for a little bit and have a tower fan blowing at it.
I was considering cooler master U2, but I don't know if having air directly blow into the intake is bad idea or not

 

I have the Belkin one. It basically sits on a desk, USB 3.0 is not a replacement for HDMI\DisplayPort. The 30 seconds it takes to connect a few extra cables ended up being worth it for me.