Type 2631 docking station and T21, T41 (or T42p)

[juhpal]

Hello,

Will this docking station:

order part number: P/N 02K8660
FRU part number: P/N 02K8666
Type: 2631

work with T21 and T41 (with T42p mainboard)? As far as I understand T21 will be OK, but what about T42p?

Also if it won't work with T42p, give me a suggestion about T42p docking station with normal PCI card slot.

[juhpal]

Hello,

Will this docking station:

order part number: P/N 02K8660
FRU part number: P/N 02K8666
Type: 2631

work with T21 and T41 (with T42p mainboard)? As far as I understand T21 will be OK, but what about T42p?

Also if it won't work with T42p, give me a suggestion about T42p docking station with normal PCI card slot.

OK, seems that ThinkPad Dock II would be an alternative. But I would get dock type 2631 easily and cheap, so I'm interested if that would work with T42p?

[SMA]

ThinkPad Dock type 2631 does not support T4x machines.
ThinkPad Dock II type 2877 does.
They both supports T21.

[juhpal]

ThinkPad Dock type 2631 does not support T4x machines.
ThinkPad Dock II type 2877 does.
They both supports T21.

Hmm, it would be nice to know the reason. Physically the 2631 dock connector obviously fits, also electronically it must be quite the same as in dock II. Has anybody tried to plug a T4x series to that 2631 dock?

[sjthinkpader]

When they moved the battery to the back, the main connector in the old docks are too close to the back edge, especially with the extended battery. That must be the reason for the change.

Not quite sure why they changed to another set of docks for the T6x/R6x series again other than to get $100 to $200 more revenue per machine.

[juhpal]

When they moved the battery to the back, the main connector in the old docks are too close to the back edge, especially with the extended battery. That must be the reason for the change.

Not quite sure why they changed to another set of docks for the T6x/R6x series again other than to get $100 to $200 more revenue per machine.

Yes, now I understand (compared my T21 to T41). So theoretically, if I did some hardware modding to the old dock, the connectors are compatible and the old dock might work! If I could just fit T41 physically

I might actually do this mod if possible. All I would have to do is move docking connector forward or destroy the plastics that won't allow T41 to fit. Is there anything important under the plastics? See this pic for the idea:



If someone has this dock, could he/she take plastics off and check if there is anything important under the red area? Also check if the connector of the dock is on a mainboard of some sort or are there any flat cables going to the connector (it would help

[sjthinkpader]

The next generation full dock 2877 are very cheap now. There is really no need to go to all the trouble to make a conversion. The mechanical design is very complex inside.

The only drawback is that 2877 doesn't come with Firewire pass thru port and doesn't support PCI Express slot the current generation dock supports. Finding a PCI card that support DVI can be somewhat difficult.

[awolfe63]

When they moved the battery to the back, the main connector in the old docks are too close to the back edge, especially with the extended battery. That must be the reason for the change.

Not quite sure why they changed to another set of docks for the T6x/R6x series again other than to get $100 to $200 more revenue per machine.

The new docks were needed to support PCI express and the wide form factors as well as 20V power (instead of 16V).

[sjthinkpader]

Thanks, the 2878, 2877 was short lived compared to the 2631, 02K8668 series of docks.

It just caught me by surprise when the T60 arrived. All the batteries got changed too without apparent reason.

[juhpal]

The next generation full dock 2877 are very cheap now. There is really no need to go to all the trouble to make a conversion. The mechanical design is very complex inside.

The prices are still quite high I think... At least here in Finland:

http://fi.eetnordic.com/product.aspx?id=2877-10UB <--600 euros=robbery

If you have a cheap source for 2877 dock, please let me know where! I would have gotten 2631 dock for 25 euros (=almost free:). There aren't many Dock IIs in Europe's ebays either...

The only drawback is that 2877 doesn't come with Firewire pass thru port and doesn't support PCI Express slot the current generation dock supports. Finding a PCI card that support DVI can be somewhat difficult.

[sjthinkpader]

2877 can be had in the U.S. for 20 euros. Unfortunately they are heavy and shipping to Finland will cost arm and a leg.