Thinkpads Forum

I see Lenovo has the advanced mini dock on sale for $175 or so. I have a T61 running Ubuntu Linux with Intel graphics and like the idea of having DVI output and SPDIF audio. Does anyone know:

1) Does the mini dock have any linux compatibility problems?
2) Does the mini dock have a cooling fan?
3) Is the spdif port output-only or does it also have input? Does the spdif need special drivers?
4) Any idea what max resolution the DVI output supports? Can I operate in dual head mode (show different stuff on the internal and external screens)? Apparently I can't do that with the T61's built-in VGA output. I understand the mini dock supports dual link DVI but (at least for 30" monitors) that apparently only works with the T61P and not the regular T61.

I'm interested in spdif because the t61's analog headphone output picks up some 60 cycle hum and I don't want to mess with USB audio because of Linux driver issues. But the mini dock spdif also supports input then maybe I'd use it for recording too.

I used Ubuntu on my R60 with the dock. I had to edit xorg.conf to get the resolution to output to the correctly to the 1600x1200 LCD.

1) Wouldnt know yet. Could let you know once I try it. I'd check Hard Forums or ask Erik if he knows / has tried it.

2) Maybe not? Does it? I dont know.

3) ??

4) It works with 30" 2560 x 1600 LCD with a T61 (not T61p). But the T6x must have a Discrete NVIDA Card. Integrated Intel might not do it.

I'd like to hear about the SPDIF audio as well.

phr wrote:2) Does the mini dock have a cooling fan?

No.

Also look here in the market place. Somebody is selling the advanced mini dock (without the power adapter though).

phr wrote: 3) Is the spdif port output-only or does it also have input? Does the spdif need special drivers?

I can't see SPDIF input in the list of recording devices under Windows Vista 64-bit when docking my T60 on the advanced mini dock. SPDIF only appears in the list of playback devices.

[Update] I've tried my T60 docking on the big advanced dock and the result is the same: NO spdif input device under Windows Vista 64-bit.