What's a USB port replicator?

[mwok]

What is a USB port replicator for the T400 that has digital video out (DVI)? How does it connect to the T400? If it connects through USB, how can it support DVI??

Is this better than the docking station?

[craigmontHunter]

It connects through usb, I think it has a usb videocard in it (not entirely sure). If you only want the docking station for the t420, then the docking station is better, since it is passthrough and not running off a usb port, and it can charge your system. The usb port replicator is best for systems that don't have any docking options (X30*...)

[Colonel O'Neill]

Indeed; USB doesn't have enough bandwidth to drive an external monitor well enough for anything but near-static images. i.e. movies won't play well through it.

An actual docking station would be more useful.

[mwok]

I notice that there are multiple docking stations for the T400. My plan is to replace my desktop with my T400.

Which docking station is "minimalist" and the "latest" (just want video, audio output)? Does anyone of them support two DVI monitors at native res (1920x1200 res)?

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... u_area=yes

Does that support regular T400?

[Colonel O'Neill]

The Mini Dock that you linked doesn't work with the T400 non -s.

I think the smallest you'll find is the Advanced Mini-Dock:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 61297.html
You'll have to hook one monitor up via VGA though.

The larger size Advanced Dock is 1 DVI, 1 VGA also, but has room for a PCI-E 1x slot (iirc).

Both DVI and VGA can carry 1920x1200.