Thinkpads Forum

I currently use a Thinkpad T60p with an advanced dock. I like the advanced dock because it allows me to turn my T60p into a real desktop. I recently ordered a W510 and the Thinkpad Mini Dock Plus that goes with it. To say I am disappointed would be an extreme understatement. I thought I would take the time to describe the features of the advanced dock because the idiots at Lenovo seem to have forgotten what a dock should do.

Advanced Dock Features:
1 DVI ports
1 VGA port
Expansion slot for an Extra Video Card: Allows you to add a 3rd or 4th monitor. Now
there is a useful feature.
Ultrabay Port: Allows you to add an extra hard drive using a drive adapter.
6 in 1 Media Card Reader
5 USB ports
PS2 Keyboard / Mouse Port: Allows me to use my old IBM M "Clicky" keyboard
RJ45 Ethernet Port
RJ11 Modem Port: Some people still use a phone at the office. I actually have Outlook dial the
phone and log the call. Isn't that amazing.
Microphone Port
Audio Port
Integrated Power Supply

Lenovo continues to cut corners with a premium brand. The serial hard drive adapter for the ultrabay doesn't even fill the bay properly. It is either poor craftsmanship or they are just plain cheap. I suspect it is the latter, but they are still charging a premium price.

It is hard for me to believe that LENOVO engineers couldn't have designed the W510 to work with the Advanced Dock. They should have. I understand they have a desire to sell more hardware like docks but at least don't cut the features.

Thinkpads have always been premium laptops with premium accessories. HEY LENOVO HOW ABOUT CONTINUING TO BE A PREMIUM LAPTOP WITH PREMIUM ACCESSORIES. Is this too much to ask?

Thanks
Charles

Post a picture of the Ultrabay adapter please.

Below is a link to the item on the Lenovo site that fits in the ultrabay on the Advanced Dock.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-61161

I have pictures of the poorly fitting drive adapter on the W510. I am not allowed, at this time, to attach photos to my post. PM me if this is the photo you are refering too.

Charles

I appreciate the link to the other discussion. It confirms what I was saying, Lenovo is cheap. I have used the Hard Drive Ultrabay caddie in every Thinkpad I have had starting with the A21p and I can assure that the gap is not to increase air flow. None of the machines A21p, A31p, T60p have had this air flow gap. Lenovo is cost cutting, still charging us a premium, and delivering less than premium quality.

Thanks
Charles

I am not sure the reasoning behind it, but Lenovo simply did not manufacture a Serial Ultrabay Enhanced 2nd HDD Adapter for the W510. The reason the gap exists is because folks are using Ultrabay Slim Serial Hard Drive Bay Adapters in these machines. It is a thinner adapter, thus the gap. This is nothing new in Lenovo's (or IBM's) past. I don't recall ever seeing an Ultrabay enhanced 2nd HDD adapter in any model. Can't explain it, but those are the facts. I do recall seeing Ultrabay enhanced 2nd HDD adapters from the Chineese on EBay though for the older Ultrabays. Perhaps they will put out one for the Serial Ultrabay enhanced, if they haven't already.
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Ultrabay_ ... ed_Devices

Edit: Here you go - http://cgi.ebay.com/SATA-HDD-Caddy-LENO ... 5d29651ee4