» Lenovo ThinkPad Advanced Mini-Dock - port replicator ( 250410U )
By Lenovo
Buy new : $360.93
Customer Rating :
Features:
- Left corner alignment for easy system attachment
- Step-by-step LED's and convenient buttons for easy system ejection
- Standard device ports: 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 PS/2 port for mouse, serial, parallel
- Audio/video ports: Microphone in, headphone out, S/PDIF (digital audio), DVI, VGA
- Communication ports: Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) and modem (RJ-11)
Editor Reviews:
- Product Description
The ThinkPad Advanced Mini Dock offers enhanced cable management and connectivity in a surprisingly small form factor. It is ideal for notebook users who need quick and easy access to peripherals but do not require full desktop expansion capability. Compatibility: ThinkPad T60, T61, R60, R61, Z60, Z61
Customer Reviews:
- Great Product
These are my second order and they are great - priced right and speedy delivery - It is a great buy and great produce. Thanks - 3 years later, still alive and kicking
I've had this since March, 2006 as my second docking station to use at home and it served me well. In fact it will outlast the T60 I've been using with ever since as the T60 will be replaced by a T400 in a couple of days - you won't need a new Mini-Dock as this one is fully compatible with the T400.
To those unfamiliar with the ThinkPad style mini docks, this is as a minimalistic design as possible while adding to the 'port replicator' expectations by even adding a few extra ports - see below for features.
- Small form factor.
- Button for turning the laptop on/off or awaken it if it's plugged in while sleeping.
- Laptop eject button.
- Physical lock with physical keys to provide some security.
- Will dock the laptop even when it's using the larger 9-cell battery.
- Built in opening allowing for the hot air to exit via laptop's lwft side back vent.
- Replicates and sometimes duplicates the following ports: serial, parallel (who's still using these?), VGA, round keyboard, DVI, phone line RJ-11, Ethernet RJ-45, microphone, headphones, USB.
- Adds 4 USB ports to the existing 3 USBs on my laptop to give me a total of 7 (SEVEN) usable ports on my docked T60.
I found this dock very easy to use and I found that it greatly simplifies my professional life. With 2 docks, one in my office and one in my home office I can take advantage of normal size keyboards and big screen monitors whenever I want them and it only takes 2 seconds to pop my laptop in an out of the dock.
I also found the heat management quite satisfactory. I am having my T60 replaced because it overheats and it turns itself off (black screen) lately. This is bad behavior on the T60's part but it's over 3 years old and it was used daily for many hours every day of its life. However, I would like to note that probably 90%+ of the black screens occurred while the laptop was NOT docked so it seems to be running cooler while in the dock.
For a product that brings so much convenience and as durable as this one, I can only grant 5 stars. And, if as promised, it supports the T400, I will update my review to state so.
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Update:
I've been using the dock with my new T400 and, I am happy to report that it all works perfectly. I've had the same convenience, ZERO issues. - Adds convenience and capabilities.
In short, it works as it should. Check out the pictures I uploaded for the port layout. I'm using it with a T60 (bought May 2007) running Windows 7. I am not using any ThinkVantage software.
It comes packaged with an additional 90W power adapter, which is nice because now I can route the cable neatly when it's plugged in at my desk and not worry about the cable's inconvenient location when I go mobile.
The DVI and VGA outputs allow me to use a dual-monitor setup. It works well with my two 24" (1920x1200) monitors.
There are some nuances to the USB ports on the dock. I put the T60 to sleep when not in use and I used to wake it up by pressing buttons on my keyboard or mouse (which were connected to the laptop via a non-powered USB hub). When the keyboard and mouse are plugged into the dock they do not wake up the laptop. I now plug my mouse into the laptop instead of the dock.
In fairness, I suspect the above problem is a limitation of how the dock implemented its externally-powered USB hub. The dock's ports are powered--my USB-powered HDD's work fine. - Think Pad Mini-Dock
This dock is your basic "connections" dock. It has the requisite USB ports, serial, parallel, key board, mouse and monitor connections but there is no space for an extra hard drive (could connect using the USB port). All in all it makes it easier to disconnect from a home office setup and take the ThinkPad on the road and is a good buy for the money. - Using with T400
I bought this to have a DVI interface. I have used it with my T400 and my work T61. Amazon has a good price compared to Lenovo, but I still woldn't call it a great deal ($150 is a lot to pay just to get DVI). Having a second cord & powerbrick is a bonus. A 6-pin firewire port would be nice. The new dock for T400s has displayport and eSATA, which is a nice improvement, but won't work with older laptops. If you are looking at this dock, it is also worth looking at the new Lenovo USB dock, but I didn't want my dock connected by a single USB channel.
