T40p and T41 - mini dock vs port replicator II

[bobditty]

I have a T40p and a T41. I want to get two docks or port replicators. What is the difference between the 74P6734 and the 2878? One difference is the 74P6734 has 1 usb port vs 4 usb ports. What about the power supply? Do they both use the supplied power supply that comes with the computers? I'm a little confused there.

Thank you for any replies!

[SHoTTa35]

port replicator vs dock.

the port replicator just extends what the system has built in (well the PR also adds DVI). The dock adds more ports and features (normally) and the use of the power supply is only for the docs. The larger docks have the option to put PCI cards in them so like video cards and other stuff. If the 4 USB ports would be handy then get that (seen em for $20 on ebay) or just get the port replicator (27 on ebay? WTF? LOL )

[awolfe63]

The minidock comes with a power supply (dedicated) and the extra USB ports. Those are the only differences.

The big dock has PCMCIA slots, an Ultrabay slot, a PCI slot, and a (noisy) fan.

[bill bolton]

The minidock comes with a power supply (dedicated) and the extra USB ports. Those are the only differences.

The mini-dock also comes with a key lock!

Cheers,

Bill B.

[fasterbybike]

The big dock has ... a (noisy) fan.

Not when you slow it down with a 47 Ohm resistor soldered inline with the fan's 5v power supply.

[awolfe63]

I was actually thinking about replacing it with a quieter one. I think it is 40mm. I have done this before with a power supply. Of course, that PS went flaky a few weeks ago...

[awebber]

Does the Mini-Dock stick out further than the PRII? It looks like it in the manual drawings but there are no sizes that I can see. And by how much? And I've seen PRII part numbers 74P6733|74P6734, is there a difference?

I really just want to make connecting/disconnecting simpler, and I have 3 AC adapters for the T41 so could leave one plugged in to the PRII.

There's not a lot to choose in price, I'm seeing used PRII for <$13 and Mini-dock for <$17 (no key), shipped to US in both cases. If they were the same size I'd pay $4 extra for the Mini-dock as a 4-port powered USB hub, but if it's (e.g.) 1" vs 3" the space is probably more important.

Thanks!
=aw

[schen]

Does the Mini-Dock stick out further than the PRII? It looks like it in the manual drawings but there are no sizes that I can see. And by how much? And I've seen PRII part numbers 74P6733|74P6734, is there a difference?

I really just want to make connecting/disconnecting simpler, and I have 3 AC adapters for the T41 so could leave one plugged in to the PRII.

There's not a lot to choose in price, I'm seeing used PRII for <$13 and Mini-dock for <$17 (no key), shipped to US in both cases. If they were the same size I'd pay $4 extra for the Mini-dock as a 4-port powered USB hub, but if it's (e.g.) 1" vs 3" the space is probably more important.

Thanks!
=aw

The "Port Replicator" and "Mini-Dock" are basically the same size, the only real differences being that the Mini-Dock has 4 USB ports so that's convenient if you have several items that stays plugged in to it. I must say though that the Mini-Dock PS is HUGE. It's the same giant unit that came with the G4x machines. The 2877 Dock II is of course somewhat larger since it not only has a PCI slot, but a UltraBay 2000 in it as well, but the size difference is really in depth.

If you can get a Mini-Dock for the same price as the regular Port Replicator, AND that it comes with the special A/C adapter (since that thing is expensive when purchased separately), I'd go that way. It's just nice to have the extra USB ports.

[awebber]

Thanks. I don't know why I thought one was bigger in the manual at http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 2p1837.pdf , perhaps I was confusing PRII with PR. The illustrations on p8 of that PDF make it pretty clear they're the same.

I can see the MD adapter is big, I guess if it only ever sits under the desk it's not _too_ bad, but I wouldn't want to carry the MD around with me.

If the MD has to have the key to operate, the price difference is $6.38 and if I want a seller with any rating history at all (i.e. >0) it's $7.88. Which is not a big difference, but more than the price of a powered hub. Plus if I lose or break the MD's AC adapter, I have to buy another, rather than hooking up T41 adapter #3.

It's never simple is it?

Thanks again!
=aw

[awebber]

I heard back from the seller of the no-key Mini-Dock. It sounds like it's actually a PRII (no keyslot). I think an honest but sloppy mistake because they both have the same manual. If it's really a PRII, it makes it a mid-range price (towards the high end). The Mini-Dock with key is still the cheapest I saw at $18.49

Another seller on eBay had listed "Mini-Dock AND PRII" which was tempting but turned out to be confusion from the manual, it was just the PRII.

Both sellers were up front about what they were selling, I think that manual (and lack of reference info) confused them.

In the end, we decided on the PRII since we have 3 AC adapters for the T41 (so one can stay plugged in to the PRII, and I don't have to worry about the special 120W adapter breaking on the Mini-Dock). Spent extra and got a new one for $15.99, cheapest used was $12.11.

BTW, all prices U$, shipped to US. I have Amazon|eBay locator IDs if anyone else is shopping for these.

Thanks again for the advice!

=aw

[eyestrain]

Yeah, all versions of the dock/replicator for T4x, R5x, etc are super cheap on ebay. Not so for the newer docks.

Late for your decision, but for others: the keyless version (Port replicator?) directly connects to your usb port without a hub. Someone posted that this makes you more vulnerable to shorts. Posted about killing a TP with an accidental short, that a hub version would have protected from.

But with good usb devices, a short is unlikely.

The hub comes also comes with the big dock, which also has ultrabay, pci card slot, pcmcia card slots, and a fan.

Midline is the dock that has keys and hub.

For T2x and certain other models, there is a port replicator available that is very small. Won't fit T4x.

You can find most of this type of info in wiki. For example,
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_Mini-Dock

[RolfThinkPad]

Late info, but for others:

I have a lot of experience with them, and have each of them in front of me as I type.

The differences between the Port Replicator II (PRII) and the Mini Dock (MD) are:

PRII: 1 USB port, no key locking feature, uses power supply that is issued with the laptop (16V 4.5A circular plug with one hole).
MD: 4 USB ports, key locking feature, uses dedicated power supply (16V 7.5A circular with four holes and typically yellow casing).

Otherwise they are physically identical.

Typically the MD is labelled "Type 2878" and the PRII "Type 75P6733".

The power supply issue is interesting. The MD one, often referred to as a ThinkPad G series AC adapter, although considerably bulkier, does not heat up. (The laptop adapter can get quite hot).

Personally, although the key locking is a bit annoying and redundant for the home user, the benefit of having 4 USB ports is huge (for both PRII and MD you can also use the laptop's USB ports at the same time).

Also, with the MD you don't have to disconnect the adapter each time you want to take the laptop away (as it only fits the MD and not the laptop). You will already have the laptop's adapter to hand, or wherever takes your fancy.

[systemBuilder]

At work we always use port replicators. With USB Hubs costing < $5.00 today, you can plug a USB hub into the port replicator and get all the USB ports you need. In general, the port replicator gives you a place where you can plug in your laptop, and have a keyboard & display & mouse & ethernet ready to go, i.e. it turns your laptop into a desktop device. The main benefit of both these items, is that they keep you from wearing out the USB and VGA ports, and they save time if you are bringing your laptop into work every day (which I was doing).

I bought a $5 power strip to bring the power outlet up on top of my desk, right next to the port replicator (originally T4x, now T4x0). Then, my 72w A/C adapter plugs into the power strip and the port replicator. When I travel (out of town), I grab the A/C adapter off my desk. When I go to meetings at work, I generally just run on 9-cell batteries + ultrabay batteries, it's not worth my time to grab an A/C adapter. If you have an all-day work meeting, you can grab the A/C adapter, quickly, from the top of your desk. It pays to have a spare A/C adapter for home use.

Right now, port replicators are DIRT cheap, about $10/ea on eaby. I got 2x of them by dumpster-diving at work. When they were originally sold by IBM, these were expensive ($150+) items, although I think it was a VERY high-margin item for IBM. The mini-dock was $200+, but I never saw anyone actually using those.