Mini-dock vs. port replicator II

[pipspeak]

Does the Mini-dock actually enable a T4x to tell if it's docked or undocked? The Port Relicator doesn't, which makes switching displays more of a pain than it should be and is driving me insane.

As far as I can tell, both are effectively the same except for the 4-port USB hub (and it's power supply) on the mini-dock. They look the same and other than the USB difference they have the same ports. If they are effectively the same, how (or why) are they recognized differently by the computer?

[RonS]

Yes, the Thinkpad knows when it's docked in a real docking station (like the Dock II), so a different hardware profile is automatically selected.

[pipspeak]

So I presume you classify the Mini-dock as a "real" docking station?

[RonS]

So I presume you classify the Mini-dock as a "real" docking station?

I wouldn't. The Mini-dock offers two USB ports and a power supply over the Port Replicator. The Dock II is a full docking station, with two additional PCMCIA slots, a PCI slot, plus more. It's the PCI slot that really sets it apart from a simple port replicator.

[aau007]

3 docking solutions: take your pick.
Port replicator, Mini-Dock and Dock II.
Small, medium and large.
Least features, more features, most features.
Lightest, heavier, big bulk.
Cheapest, more expensive, very expensive.

[pipspeak]

OK... just to clear up some confusion.... is a T43 classed as "docked" by Presentation Director software when attached to a Mini Dock? It is not when attached to a port replicator and I want to be sure I don't buy a mini-dock when I actually need a Dock II. Thanks.

[RonS]

I can't say for sure, because I don't have a mini-dock. Anybody out there that does?