Thinkpads Forum

Greetings:

I am getting ready to order a Thinkpad T60p to replace my desktop and would like to design a simple but effective configuration. The laptop will be docked most of the time but also used for business trips and vacations.

The Advanced Dock appears to offer the most flexible docking solution. Other than cost, can anyone offer a rationale for choosing the Advanced Mini Dock or Esssential Port Replicator over the Advanced Dock?

I will also be purchasing flat panel monitor and have been considering the ThinkPad Monitor Stand and ThinkPad Convertible Monitor Stand. Will the Advanced Dock fit in the tray area of either stand? Does anyone have recommendations regarding docks, stands and flat panel configurations?

Finally, I'd be interested in hearing about backup solutions for the T60p.

Your comments and suggestions are most appreciated.

Sorry if I am jumping in on your thread, but you seem to be in the same phase of shopping as I am.

Which screen size are you contemplating?

I have the same questions you raised and would also like to know what folks think about depot vs. on site warranty coverage.

Thanks.

Laptop screen size = 14.1 SXGA
LCD monitor size = 19" - 22". I'm uncertain about the value of widescreen for my usage.

I plan to go with 3 year depot maintenance.

what all can you add to the advanced dock, do you have a link?

Well, after we didn't get a response to these questions I went ahead and ordered my T60p 14.1" T7400. I got the Advanced Mini Dock and the Convertible Monitor Stand. I am hoping the dock fits under the stand, otherwise I will be returning it.

I couldn't find a reason to justify the extra cost of the regular Advanced dock ($177 vs. over $300). The only real benefit I saw was the addition of an Ultrabay, which might have been nice if I ever needed another drive. I don't forsee the need for this since I will always be connected to a network when docked.

Glad I finally ordered - I feel llike I just gave birth!

Sorry that I didnt see this earlier but I have been out for a few days. Anyway we purchased the same setup as you have and everything works great. The only thing is we purchased 19" ViewSonic WS monitors for them as well. I was unsure about the WS monitors but once people started using them all we have are compliments. The only thing I can tell you is that the Ultrabay although nice if you store tons and tons of files is nice if you want to add additional storage however its not a cost effective way of doing so. And for the monitor stands we did not purchase any so cant help you out with that.

Thanks!!

Curtis

hello, currently I only have the monitor which is a 22" X2gen widescreen and this is a killer monitor very awsome it has 1000:1 contrast ratio and 350 cds brightness so, your t60 will work very good with this size if you want to go big.

I'm considering towards to the Advanced minidock and the IBM Thinkpad display stand because you can slide in and out the notebook tray whenever you want to take it with you!

I saw the same difference about the extra ultrabay on the advanced dock but, in terms of money, I think is better only to buy a whatever ultrabay adapter and swipe drives only from your notebook or if only for an HD is going to be used, then is ok to buy an external HD I think! the rest is the same on advanced minidock which is $160 less!!

liliggyracin wrote:Sorry that I didnt see this earlier but I have been out for a few days. Anyway we purchased the same setup as you have and everything works great.

Hey Curtis, I am assuming you were responding to me when you said you have the same setup.

How is your battery life with the ATI FIRE GL V5250. Since I have nothing better to do while waiting for word on when my T60p will ship I have been reading the forum and obsessing over my decisions, such as going with the T60p and its more powerful graphics card. People seem to be pretty down on it as being a power hog.

Well. I have the Advanced Dock and a T60 15" . Its all fitted nice and easy under the old outdated Monitor stand. On top of that I have a L201P monitor.

I like the Advanced dock because of the card reader and and ability to take ½ height PCI-X cards.

Besides that, the Essential port repl. lacks DVI which I find a must

A2 Thinkpad wrote:

liliggyracin wrote:Sorry that I didnt see this earlier but I have been out for a few days. Anyway we purchased the same setup as you have and everything works great.

Hey Curtis, I am assuming you were responding to me when you said you have the same setup.

How is your battery life with the ATI FIRE GL V5250. Since I have nothing better to do while waiting for word on when my T60p will ship I have been reading the forum and obsessing over my decisions, such as going with the T60p and its more powerful graphics card. People seem to be pretty down on it as being a power hog.

Actually Battery life is decent. I dont remember exactly what battery we purchased as I am not near any of them right now but 5-6 hours of usage is what they seem to get. Wish I could tell you what battery we got maybe later when I look through some of our paperwork.

Thanks!!