Thinkpad Port replicators/Docks vs Usb port replicators

[kskim91]

Talk about making it hard to upgrade. In the last couple of years I've had to buy new port replicators or docks each time I get a new laptop. At least till now I could try and get a cheap port replicator off ebay. However, the cheapest option, the so called Essential Port replicator is just a joke. It literally means to be a port replicator, with no useful extra ports, given the fact the number of ports in the T60 line has gone down. At least the Port Replicator II had a DVI, serial and parallel ports.

Is it the fact with the new Z6X and T6X series that there is no serial/parallel support in the chipset and needs a mini dock to provide the circuitry?

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone has used one of these usb 2.0 port replicators with serial, parallel, ethernet and vga. Especially, with the vga performance. It seems that even Levono is offering one too. It might be more future proof, unless suddenly the usb standard takes a dive...