new advanced mini dock

[Toshe]

I'm looking into buying the Advanced Mini Dock - Port Replicator but I read somewhere that Lenovo is going to release a new model. Any clues on that?

[KBAM]

Lenovo's current Advanced Mini-Dock is a pretty good value as it is--and often on sale. A compelling benefit is that it includes a detachable OEM 90W power supply; thus, you secure a ~$50 backup charger by purchasing this dock.

What might Lenovo enhance/improve in designing a new mid-level dock? If you need this device, just get one; you can always sell it down the road.

--BAM

[awolfe63]

They should be able to release a mini-dock with DisplayPort and eSATA. That's what I'd like to see.

[Radioguy]

A new dock? Where did you hear/read that?

It's about time though. The current dock selection is old. Too old for the current crop of models. They work, but they were designed in what...2005?

Now, I thought I saw a new listing for an Advanced Dock (or Advanced Mini Dock) a month or so ago, and I remember posting about it, since it listed T/R/SL/W compatibility. I can't find my post, but after looking on lenovo.com again, I only see this:

43R8782
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... de=43R8782

Now that's listed for the W700 alone, and I'm not sure it's the same item. Was something recalled, or did lenovo just recategorize this new mini dock? Does anyone know if this is wholly incompatible with all non-W models?

As for what a new Advanced Dock, or Mini Dock should feature, active cooling is the most dire need in my opinion. I've posted elsewhere that the Advanced Mini Dock (which I have) blocks a significant amount of airflow at the base of the laptop. There's some minor passive venting designed into it (and I now assume the full Advanced Dock) but it's not enough. I was then surprised to learn that the Advanced Dock only has active cooling for the PCI-E slot bay. Any new design that will double as an inclined stand as these do, should have active cooling built in. The Advanced Mini Dock seems to be able to have that integrated into the design. Hopefully it will make it into the next generation.

Adding additional ExpressCard slots and maybe some external wi-fi antenna jacks for 802.11n would be nice too...

[awolfe63]

Absolutely. My W500 runs 5-7C hotter when using either the advanced dock or the advanced mini-dock than it does stand alone. It causes overheating when playing games.

Express card slots would be nice. Wi-Fi antenna are probably impossible to add externally to these machines. The docking connector doesn't have the right connections. A complete wi-fi card would need to be included.

[Radioguy]

Absolutely. My W500 runs 5-7C hotter when using either the advanced dock or the advanced mini-dock than it does stand alone. It causes overheating when playing games.

Express card slots would be nice. Wi-Fi antenna are probably impossible to add externally to these machines. The docking connector doesn't have the right connections. A complete wi-fi card would need to be included.

Well, the pinout for the current docking connector may have some unused channels (should, if they thought ahead). Unfortunately, the T61 and current generation models aren't designed to allow a switched connection for the antenna leads to a dock, or built-in external jacks. I had hoped the W series would finally introduce that, but it disappointed in that area. Hopefully, that will be introduced in future models. Now, I see no problem with including a couple of Mini-PCI-E slots in the next gen Advanced Dock alongside some standard PCI-E ones. That would allow for secondary wi-fi, and allow external antenna jacks, but considering a dock is usually meant for indoor use, I have doubts of this being included. Full and half ExpressCard slots are an absolute necessity. Even older TP docks had PCMCIA.

[laser004]

wow~ is it true?

I must go and get one

They should be able to release a mini-dock with DisplayPort and eSATA. That's what I'd like to see.

[Toshe]

Today I received the mini dock - and i think I got the 'new' model. The part number is the same, the only difference is the Thinkpad logo - earlier models of the dock have the IBM Thinkpad logo - just like the T60, this one has only the ThinkPad logo - like T61/T400. Google images and you'll see the 'difference'.
Everything works fine, though heat could be a serious problem since a little part of the fan airflow is blocked. The only thing I haven't tested is the DVI-D. Docking and undocking is fast without any problems or system hangs - even without 'safely' removing it.
My T400 is a bit loose on the dock but still stable enough to be lifted with the dock -- which as stated in the safety instructions is not recommended.
So bottom line we won't be seeing a dock with eSATA, DisplayPort, Satellite Uplink and a coffee machine anytime soon. Or maybe Lenovo is going to release a new dock with fancy functions that won't be compatible with models prior to a newly released one - and we've seen that happen.

[basketb]

The docks with the Thinkpad logo have been around for some time now. I need to double check but I think the one I got with that logo was built in 2007.

[keith5523]

Pardon my ignorance, but is Lenovo's online site the best place to buy the mini-dock?

Keith

[basketb]

If by best, you mean cheapest, then certainly not. If by best, you mean fastest, then probably not. If by best, you mean that you will be guaranteed a new, genuine one, then yes.
Other good places are the marketplace here in this forum or ebay, if you don't mind used or don't want to know where they are from. Used Mini Docks are certainly much cheaper than a new one. But, of course, you also take some chances buying used.