R500 compatibility with adv mini docking station

R400/R500 series specific matters only
Post Reply
Message
Author
skpugh
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:54 am
Location: Branson, MO

R500 compatibility with adv mini docking station

#1 Post by skpugh » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:06 pm

I just received my Advanced mini docking station that is supposedly the correct one for my R500. The dock power unit says it is 90W/20V, but the power unit that came with my laptop is 65W/20V. Did I misunderstand and order the wrong dock or is this difference in wattage acceptable? Where can I find thorough information on what accessories are compatible with this laptop? Vista operating system. Thanks!

I am sorry but I apparently wasn't clear. Please read the original paragraph closely, I added a few corrections to explain better, but I will also reiterate:
The power unit that came with the dock IS 90W, but the one that came with the laptop is 65W. I am afraid to plug it into the dock, which is the higher wattage than the laptop power unit. I need 3 answers:
1. Is this the correct dock for the R500 laptop?
2. If so, why is the dock power unit 90W instead of 65W that came with the laptop and is it safe to use this higher wattage power unit?
3. Where can I find thorough information on what accessories are compatible with my R500 laptop?
Last edited by skpugh on Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ZaZ
moderator
moderator
Posts: 4454
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 1:33 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: R500 compatibility with adv mini docking station

#2 Post by ZaZ » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:07 pm

I believe the Advanced Mini Dock is supposed to have the 90w power supply. Mine does and according to the specs here it does. It supposed to have the better power supply to power the peripherals. Maybe it got switched out somewhere along the way.
E7440

skpugh
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:54 am
Location: Branson, MO

Re: R500 compatibility with adv mini docking station

#3 Post by skpugh » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:16 pm

Please see my edited submission. Your answer was not what I needed. Thanks

ZaZ
moderator
moderator
Posts: 4454
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 1:33 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: R500 compatibility with adv mini docking station

#4 Post by ZaZ » Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:05 am

There was some good stuff in there.

The Advanced Mini Dock can be used with the R500 as the estential port
As I stated already it has a beefier power supply to power the peripherals like usb devices.
You can plug your machine type in here to see what's compatible with your machine.
E7440

dr_st
Senior ThinkPadder
Senior ThinkPadder
Posts: 6646
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:20 am

Re: R500 compatibility with adv mini docking station

#5 Post by dr_st » Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:45 am

Think desktop power supplies.

It is always OK to use higher wattage than what is needed (provided of course that the voltage is the same).

It is sometimes not OK to user lower wattage than what is suggested, because you may pull more than the PSU can handle and that's when the problems begin.

Therefore, it is OK to use either the 65W or the 90W adapters with your R500, but when using it in the dock, one should use only the 90W adapter, because that is what is recommended for the dock.
Current: X220 4291-4BG, T410 2537-R46, T60 1952-F76, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G
Collectibles: T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X32 (IPS Screen)
Retired: X61 7673-V2V, A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad
Past: Z61t 9440-A23, T60 2623-D3U, X32 2884-M5U

skpugh
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:54 am
Location: Branson, MO

Re: R500 compatibility with adv mini docking station

#6 Post by skpugh » Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:58 am

This is exactly what I needed to know. Your answer was thorough. Thanks so much!

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “ThinkPad R400/R500 Series”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests