X230T Docking Station & Multiple Display Issue

[drblue]

My X230T was shipped last week. It is a solid machine, and I am generally happy about it. But it turned out that it is quite tricky to use X230T with docking stations and multiple monitors.

Before purchasing X230T, I had T410S and 2 Advanced Mini Dock Series 3 (one for office and the other for home). It was my understanding that I could use these docks with X220T (although you have to remove a couple of plastic guides to use with X220T). But it turned out that X230T doesn't really work with Advanced Mini Dock Series 3. Some functions work, including:

-Power Adapter
-1 DVI port
-Headset port

But this it. Other functions such as USB ports, the remaining display ports do not work. This is quite disappointing because this means that I have to buy 2 new ultrabase 3. I am trying to figure out if it is possible to use my old docks with X230T.

Did anyone try to use an Advanced Mini Dock and make the USB ports work? I assume that the USB ports on the dock doesn't work because T230X has USB 3 and the dock has only USB 2. But there might be a way to make this work.

Is it possible for me to use 2 DVI or 1 DVI + 1 Display Port to drive 2 monitors? I know I can use 1 DVI (or Displayport) and 1 Analog display (D-Sub), but it is much more desirable to use 2 digital ports than using an analog port (much clearer picture quality).

I would appreciate your advice. Thank you!

[Ibthink]

The X230t is not compatible to the Series 3 Mini-Docks. You have to use the UltraBase. Only the normal X230 is compatible with the normal dockings and the with the Ultrabase.

[drblue]

The X230t is not compatible to the Series 3 Mini-Docks. You have to use the UltraBase. Only the normal X230 is compatible with the normal dockings and the with the Ultrabase.

Dear ibthink:

Thank you for your response. But I was fully aware that the Series 3 mini-docks are not compatible with X230t; I thought I made it clear in my original post that I knew the mini-docks are *officially* incompatible with X230t. However, the Series 3 mini-docks were also officially incompatible with X220t, but if you check the internet (and this forum), you will find that many people reported they successfully use X220t with the Series 3 mini-docks (with slight physical modifications). Because X230t is a relatively minor upgrade to X220t and X230 is compatible with the Series 3 mini-docks, I thought I could use the Series 3 mini-docks with X230t as well. Alas, it seems I was wrong about this assumption.

At this point, the advice I seek for is NOT whether the mini-dock is officially compatible with X230t. Instead, I would like to learn whether I could make them work together as much as possible. As I noted, the series 3 mini-docks and X230t are at least partially compatible because they at least allow charging, 1 DVI and 1 DSub graphics, and audio/mic.

Specifically, I am trying to find out: (1) whether I can use 2 digital video inputs (DVI/DVI, DVI/DisplayPort, DisplyPort/DisplayPort) and (2) if there is any way I can make the USB ports in the dock work. It appears these are probably not possible, but I want to make sure before I spend $400+ on Ultrabases. Thank you.

[goh2]

dear drblue,

I just got around testing a advanced minidock seriies 3, the one with two diplay ports, two dvi ports and 6x USB 2.0. After removing some smaller platic parts which by the way is not very easy since opening the docking station to unscrew them is a pest, the x230t fits mechanically on it. BUT: even though the loading function and network works, the usb does not and the dvi does not reliably, i didn't test the display ports or vga. I used a x230 non-tablet versoin to verify that the docking station and setup still works after opening it. Since I didn't try the USB 3.0 version you may have more success with this. For my part I' going to get the ultrabase since i can't get my hands on the usb 3 version to test.

greets goh2

[drblue]

dear drblue,

I just got around testing a advanced minidock seriies 3, the one with two diplay ports, two dvi ports and 6x USB 2.0. After removing some smaller platic parts which by the way is not very easy since opening the docking station to unscrew them is a pest, the x230t fits mechanically on it. BUT: even though the loading function and network works, the usb does not and the dvi does not reliably, i didn't test the display ports or vga. I used a x230 non-tablet versoin to verify that the docking station and setup still works after opening it. Since I didn't try the USB 3.0 version you may have more success with this. For my part I' going to get the ultrabase since i can't get my hands on the usb 3 version to test.

greets goh2

Dear Goh2:

Thank you for sharing your experience!!! Your experience is consistent with mine--i.e., 1 digital video, 1 DSUB (analog video), ethernet, and power work, but NOT USBs nor 2nd digital video. This is very disappointing because I have 2 mini-docks (one for home and the other for office).

I also bought an Ultrabase, but it is not the perfect solution either because (1) it does not have USB3, (2) only 1 digital video, (3) the digital video is DISPLAY PORT but not DVI (need to buy a cable and your monitor might not have a DisplayPort); and (3) only 4 USBs. Bad....

So I decided to buy only 1 ultrabase (and use it at my office). At home, I use mini-dock series 3 (after removing the plastic parts) ALONG with a USB hub (Belkin). Basically, I plug in all my USB devices to the USB hub and connect it directly to X230T. This requires 1 more step, but it works. You might consider using this method instead of buying an Ultrabase because Lenovo may release a new Ultrabase with USB3 (and you save money).

Also, if you have 2 monitors with DisplayPorts, you can connect 2 digital monitors using the DisplayPort on the Ultrabase and the one on X230T itself. But of course, it is annoying to connect one more cable every time, so I am just using the analog video for my 2nd monitor.

Good luck!

[Tyler K]

You guys should perhaps take a look at Peter's post here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 70#p687170

as he seems to have found a way to get two digital outputs on the dock to work ... (though, granted, he is talking about the vanilla X230 and not the T variant)

[drblue]

You guys should perhaps take a look at Peter's post here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 70#p687170

as he seems to have found a way to get two digital outputs on the dock to work ... (though, granted, he is talking about the vanilla X230 and not the T variant)

Actually, as far as I know, the vanilla X230 is compatible with the mini docks, so it should be able to connect to 2 digital outputs. X230T seems to have quite different circuits.... I cannot understand why Lenovo makes our life so hard by making this incompatible with the mini docks. Owned many ThinkPads since 1992 (a new one in almost every other year). My satisfaction has been going down for every new purchase. This one might be the last....

[skinnie]

Hi guys, I am quite new to Lenovos.
I've seen this dock http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-72871 for cheap on the used market (30eur with the 90eur power adapter).
As I have an ordinary X230, would it work with this mod:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-72871

I want it mostly because of the usbs, because I already have mini display port adapters (From my ex-macbook), but if it works better.
Thanks