T61 - Anyone using DVI port in adv. mini dock with X3100?

[engineerdave]

Is anyone out there actually using the DVI port in the advanced mini dock with a T61? Or planning to?

Unlike the T60 and prior, the Tabbok describes the DVI port as functional on the advanced minidock even with the basic x3100 integrated graphics.

We had some integrated graphics z61t's shipped after 12/06 here in the office where the DVI pass through was functional in the mini dock. But I've found Lenovo's communication on DVI pass through to be somewhat muddled in the past, and I'd like to hear from someone using it successfully on the X3100, and for that matter, the nVidia.

Here's a clip from the Tabook:
"Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (GMA X3100), integrated in GM965,
DVI pass-through support to optional Advanced Mini Dock or Advanced Dock"

Thanks,
Dave

[jd1010]

I just recieved my advanced mini dock, and I was supposed to recieve my computer soon, but I found out that my computer has been delayed for a few weeks. I didn't even think about the dvi on the dock not being functional. I sure hope it does work or that would've been a serious waste of money.

I ordered a t61 with the intel gma x3100 so when/if I ever get my computer I'll be sure to let you know.

[engineerdave]

Thanks, that would be great. I hope you don't have to spend too long contemplating that empty dock.

-Dave

[jd1010]

I spoke to a lenovo rep yesterday about why the t61's were being delayed. I decided to ask him about the dock and he said it would definately work. He said it was the main reason anyone would even buy that dock. I forgot to ask if it would work with the intel gma x3100, but I don't see why not.

[engineerdave]

Up through the T60 series, the DVI port only worked if you had a discrete graphics chip. (An exception during this time period was the z61t, at least the late production). So the tabook reference to DVI passthrough with the integrated graphics is a 'new' feature for the 'T', as near as I can tell. I've had telephone reps give me incorrect informatin about this feature in the past, for older models, hence my desire to check. I agree that it probably will work, given the tabook statement. I'm certainly hopeful, as I'd like the longer battery life of the integrated graphics for most users here.

There are alot of people who don't use DVI, but still find the minidock handy in that it avoids having to plug/unplug your video (VGA), mouse, external keyboard, speakers, etc. as you switch from mobile to desktop operation. I travel extensively and take my T42p to my home office every evening, so I find this quite useful, aside from the DVI feature. We have quite a few other users doing the same thing, some with DVI, some with analog video displays.

My T42p has discrete graphics which operate correctly through the mindock's DVI port, and I love my 1600x1200 DVI display.

[FRiC]

For the Z61t, I believe the Core 2 Duo ones are the ones that support DVI out. Early this year, we got some Z61t T5500 for work, and the sales rep insisted that the DVI worked, but everywhere I looked people said it didn't, so we didn't get the mini dock...

[biinkbok]

For the Z61t, I believe the Core 2 Duo ones are the ones that support DVI out. Early this year, we got some Z61t T5500 for work, and the sales rep insisted that the DVI worked, but everywhere I looked people said it didn't, so we didn't get the mini dock...

Does anyone know if the mini-dock will support dual link DVI with the new thinkpads?

[mrkodiak]

Does the advanced mini dock's DVI support dual screen with a T61 and the Intel X3100 graphics? I want to use my 21'' LCD and the laptop's screen at the same time.

[engineerdave]

I'll answer my own original post here just to tidy up. I'm looking at a 15.4inch T61/WSXGA+/Vista_Business/T7500 with the Intel graphics driving a 21 inch DVI monitor via the connector on the advanced dock in pass through mode(with no extra video card added) at a resolution of 1600x1200. No problems.

This may be the maximum resolution for this T61 configuration through the DVI pass-through. I would presume the advanced mini dock would be similar. Haven't tried dual screen.

[gigihsu]

Does anyone know whether the T61 with advanced mini-dock can support 1920x1200 resolution through the DVI port of the dock? Does this work with Intel x3100? I noticed on the Nvidia website, it explicitly says that 1600x1200 is the max resolution for DVI and 2048x1536 for VGA, but I am only interested in the DVI solution.

Thanks,

Gigi

[jd1010]

I couldn't get the right resolution to my sharp 37" LCD. I didn't really try very hard because I've been having other problems with the t61.