Thinkpads Forum

Hello to All,

I have a question concerning the Selectadock. I noticed that the Selectabase and dock combination seems to block the exhaust of a 770 notebook. Right now I have upgraded my 770Z to a PIII-450 and am running into a slight overheating problem.

Does the docking system have it's own fan system that assists the notebook? Or does it have some sort of exhaust straight through? If I got a SelectaDock, would it help with the cooling of the notebook?

Thanks.

the Selectabase and dock combination seems to block the exhaust of a 770 notebook

The SelectaBase 770 does not quite block the exhaust, though it probably hinders it a bit: the SelectaBase 770 unit has an angled, rectangular gap that actually lines up with the exhaust fan on the back of the 770/E/X/Z units. Air from the exhaust fan is directed against the angled piece which redirects the air upwards through the gap. The gap appears as a rectangular notch in the Selectabase 770 when viewed from above.

Does the docking system have it's own fan system that assists the notebook?

Yes and no. The SelectaDock III has its own internal fan that is identical to a regular desktop exhaust fan, but I think that this is intended primarily to cool the internal add-on devices, not the laptop itself. But I have wondered if the SelectaBase was also designed in such a way as to help to conduct heat from the bottom of the laptop, down into the SelectaDock III, in which case the SelectaDock III fan might also help to cool the laptop itself, indirectly.

Or does it have some sort of exhaust straight through?

No. There is no actual connection of exhaust systems. Any cooling that the SelectaDock III did would depend on heat being conducting from one part of the unit to another.

If I got a SelectaDock, would it help with the cooling of the notebook?

I doubt that adding the unit to a SelectaDock would make much difference, even if my theory above about the possible conducting of heat through the SelectaBase is true.

Phil.