Docking Station for X30x: maybe with next model?

[hiryu]

Hi everybody,

This is my first post in this forum I am considering to buy either a t400 or a x301.

What really is blocking me from buying a x301 is the lack of a docking station. I think that this is a huge lack for a laptop whose main target is supposed to be business people.

Hope they're going to add this feature to the successor of x301 (x302????).... What do you think about that? Phantasy?

[dr_st]

One can only speculate about this. The only way to know for sure it if there was some statement from Lenovo on the matter, which I don't think there was.

To me, the lack of docking station is also a major turn-off of the X30x series.

[hiryu]

That's what I was afraid of, no official news at the moment about that.

The fact is: IF I knew that an X302 or whatever is coming out soon (say, in 6 months), and IF I knew it's going to have a docking station, I would just wait 6 months and buy that (i don't have the urgence of changing laptop).

I guess there is no other way of knowing more other than waiting and hoping....

[dr_st]

Then if it is not urgent - wait. You may gain something but you certainly won't lose anything by waiting.

[andyP]

Matt Kohut blogged last year about docking and it's future. Have a look, it makes an interesting read.

Docking 101 – First in a Two Part Series

Docking 201 – Second in a Two Part Series

[Marin85]

Nice readings!

Marin

[hiryu]

Thanks for the article, really interesting! I decided to wait to see what x302 will offer.... On next September my institute will offer discount on thinkpads again!

Cheers

[Nifill]

I have an x301 with Enh USB replicator.
I use the replicator to enable hot desking, ie when I'm at home I like to use dual screens ( Desktop 17" plus X301 screen), a std desktop keyboard and mouse.
I also connect the above desktop peripherals via a KVM switch so that I can share them with Deskside PC and laptop
(business PC).
Here's the big issue with the USB replicator though:
I set the graphics to Extend mode, this enables a physical extension of the X301 screen to the desktop screen.
I then use the desktop 17" screen as my main working area. When I open multiple screens and then access documents in the X301 Windows Vista file system, I frequently get screen freezes of up to 2 seconds.
Annoying when you've a heavy workload and constantly need to be flitting between Outlook inbox, and documents in your filing.
I'm not sure exactly the cause but the freezing does not occur when I'm using windows opened on the X301 screen.

I believe it's down to the issue pointed out in Docking 101, ie all traffic ( including bandwidth hungry graphics) contending with ethernet traffic over the USB bus.
This would appear to be a significant shortcoming of the USB replicator idea for common docking.
I'm next going to try to prove this by connecting the LAN direct onto the X301 Ethernet port rather than using the USB/Ethernet cable provided with the Enh USB replicator.

I beleive the issue of a physical docking connector for the X301 comes down to that mentioned on the docking 101 article, ie, it's a dilemma, adding weight onto an ultralight PC which is positioned for ultra-mobility.

Nigel