Generic Laptop Docking Station

[ArkiStan]

I usually bring in my laptop to work, where I spend long hours, so I prefer to connect a full-size mouse, keyboard, and second monitor, etc. but i hate having to plug/unplug all these peripherals everytime i arrive or leave work. so i've been looking at different docking station products that achieve the following:

http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/screen_shot_images/567/207652567_003.jpg

i only need to connect one USB cable and all my peripherals are connected. has anybody had experience with such products? are there any drawbacks that i should know about?

p.s. I never knew you could send the video signal through a USB connection. is this the same as using the video cable? will i still be able to use dual monitors the same way?

[ArkiStan]

Looks like these "docking stations" often cost over $100. Thinking carefully about the above setup, I'm wondering if I can just achieve the same setup with a USB 2.0 hub as long as I can deal with connecting the external monitor directly to the laptop's video out (apparently connecting video through USB results in lag, which is undesireable for me anyway). Everything else (keyboard, mouse, etc) is natively USB so a hub would probably do just fine.

[Jeffbx]

I was just going to say what you had already figured out. VGA through USB sucks, and just about everything else is USB.

I have a Lenovo X301 laptop which does not have an option for a docking station (to save weight, I think). Anyway, what you mention is exactly how I have mine set up - I plug in power, network, a USB cable (to a USB hub) and a display port cable (display port to DVI for my monitor). Yes, I have to plug in 4 cables, but WAY cheaper & better output than the 'USB docks' that are available.

[attgig]

I've always wanted to invent a generic 'wireless usb adapter'.

It would be a single usb dongle on the laptop, and usb dongles on each of the devices that you want (printer, scanner, keyboard, mouse, sound card, etc.)

this way, you don't have to sell/replace your peripherals to bluetooth for that convenience (saves $100's of dollars), and keeps things with minimal wires.

it could use RF signals to communicate data, using different frequencies for each new item.

that way, usb hubs are not necessary. you can put your printer where ever you want to.

sell each additional adapter for a specific price.

just seems like it would work...

(c) attgig 2009

:D

[ArkiStan]

(c) attgig 2009
:D

Crap! was gonna steal your idea and make a fortune! :hehehmm:

[ArkiStan]

I was just going to say what you had already figured out. VGA through USB sucks, and just about everything else is USB.

I have a Lenovo X301 laptop which does not have an option for a docking station (to save weight, I think). Anyway, what you mention is exactly how I have mine set up - I plug in power, network, a USB cable (to a USB hub) and a display port cable (display port to DVI for my monitor). Yes, I have to plug in 4 cables, but WAY cheaper & better output than the 'USB docks' that are available.

i've just set it up with a hub and it's working just fine. Just saved my ass $100 and a crappy video connection. directly connecting through DVI is so worth the extra effort. :)

thanks guys.

[attgig]

if you want to try usb video:
http://www.dailysteals.com/
10 bucks