Thinkpads Forum

I'm trying to figure out if I need an ultrabase for the x220t.

I can't really see a reason to get it reasoning:

1. external optical drive is enough for me
2. there is a VGA and a display port on the x220t itself (unlike my dying x60)
3. as long as the 3 usb ports are enough for me

It seems pretty expensive for $200 + $140 for a DVD recordable drive in it for a total of $340.

Does it do something I've not considered? Support better resolution on external monitors?

If anyone can offer me advice, it would be very much appreciated.

I think the reason to get an ultrabase is if you plan to use your X220t with a monitor(s) and other peripherals frequently. If that sounds like your intended usage, then perhaps the ultrabase makes sense. If not, then it probably doesn't.

Regarding the optical drive, I'm guessing you can get one on ebay that will work with the ultrabase significantly less expensive than $140.

The displayport should do 2560x1600 while the VGA should do 1920x1200.

I just ordered an x220t with the ultrabase for exactly the reason Fred mentioned: I plan on docking it every morning and using it with external monitors for most of the day. I really don't want to connect/disconnect all those wires every time I move the computer. Yep I'm lazy.

I didn't order the DVD because I don't see much need for them anymore.

Apparently the port replicators and mini-docks for the the current T-series work with the X220 as well (but not X201). Don't know about the X220t.

FragrantHead wrote:Apparently the port replicators and mini-docks for the the current T-series work with the X220 as well (but not X201). Don't know about the X220t.

The tabook does not list the mini-docks as compatible accessories for the x220t. They are listed for the standard x220 though. Very annoying.

I bring my x200 back to my office and connect to external monitor, mouse and keyboard plus some other USB stuff everyday. I don't use the ultrabase because I find it too expensive and large (it takes up too much desk space when your thinkpad is not connected) I plug everything into a USB hub, so all I need to connect to the x200 is a single USB cable and a monitor cable.

khtse wrote:I bring my x200 back to my office and connect to external monitor, mouse and keyboard plus some other USB stuff everyday. I don't use the ultrabase because I find it too expensive and large (it takes up too much desk space when your thinkpad is not connected) I plug everything into a USB hub, so all I need to connect to the x200 is a single USB cable and a monitor cable.

My thoughts exactly, except for mine is a T400. I have a USB hub with a wireless mouse dongle, a USB keyboard, and a speaker power cable. I used to have an external monitor but got rid of it because I didn't need it. Down to 1 wire only now, it doesn't get simpler than that.

Let's see, I would have to connect 6...

• Keyboard
  Mouse
  Power
  Speakers
  2 Monitors

The keyboard mouse and speakers could be consolidated into a single USB connection, but that still leaves 3 other connections. You guys don't connect power?

jeffm wrote:Let's see, I would have to connect 6...

• Keyboard
  Mouse
  Power
  Speakers
  2 Monitors

The keyboard mouse and speakers could be consolidated into a single USB connection, but that still leaves 3 other connections. You guys don't connect power?

Yeah, unless you want to spend precious hours of your life connecting cables i would go for the dock.

I have speakers and other charging things (phone, etc.) on a separate hub connected to a USB charger running on AC. so that leaves a USB cable, an audio cable (not always) and the power cable. Not bad, 2-3 cables I can live with. Any more than that and I would get a dock.


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jeffm wrote:Let's see, I would have to connect 6...

• Keyboard
  Mouse
  Power
  Speakers
  2 Monitors

The keyboard mouse and speakers could be consolidated into a single USB connection, but that still leaves 3 other connections. You guys don't connect power?

LOL

Yes, forgot to count the power cable. I guess if you go for the slice battery you can forget the power cable too. For audio, I have a USB DAC (if you don't know what DAC is, think of it as a USB soundcard) connected to the USB hubs, and headphones/speakers are connect to it all the time.

For me, the main problem with the ultrabase is that it takes up too much desk space. It takes up as much space as the Thinkpad even if you are not docking your Thinkpad there. Right now, when I am not using my Thinkpad I just put it aside and free up some desk space. Of course you can disconnect everything from the ultrabase and put it aside too, but then that defeats the purpose of getting the ultrabase.

It was only after making the decision to go with the x220 tablet that I realized it didn't support the standard docks. I was very annoyed at this oversight (?) on Lenovo's part. I don't understand their decision but I guess at this point it doesn't really matter. (Is it just me or does Lenovo always seems to be just on the cusp of having a perfect notebook and then spoiling it with a ridiculous detail like this?)

Anyway, after thinking about it, I decided to go with the ultrabase (over the USB port replicator) and then use the Essential Notebook Stand to get the ultrabase off my desk. Seemed like a good plan until (speaking of "ridiculous details") I read in the Stand's specs that it was not compatible with the ultrabase!

It is possible to connect an x220t to a Mini dock 3 with some light modifications. The x220t is capable of attaching to the mini dock, but the plastic sliding arm and a small plastic guide on the right side of the dock prevent it from sitting in a position were the connections will match up. If you remove both of these pieces, the x220t connects just fine to the mini dock. I haven't used it this way for long, but the vga and usb ports work fine on the dock.

I have an x201 with ultrabase. I find that the practical use for it is to elevate my notebook. Other than that you get additional USB ports and the CD/DVD. But none of these are a necessity as one can do without it. Can use virtual CD. Once in a blue moon Lenovo does throw in the ultrabase and CD/DVD for very cheap bundled with the notebook. I got lucky and pounced like fly attracted to blank.