ThinkPad X200 UltraBase quesiton

[dynamicnet]

Greetings:

For those of you who purchased this option, how is the Ultrabase working out for you?

Are you still happy you purchased the Ultrabase?

Thank you.

[Jason404]

I think the Ultrabase is a waste of money unless you plan to use it as a dock, with a normal keyboard, monitor and mouse, when you get home.

If you want it just for the optical drive, it is a much better idea to get a slim-line USB DVD burner, as it can be used with any computer, it's a lot cheaper, and more portable.

[dynamicnet]

Greetings Jason:

Thank you for your reply.

If you use it as a doc for when you get home with just a normal mouse but the thinkpad keyboard and mouse, does it still have some value then?

The reason I'm thinking of the ultrabase is to replace my work computer, and then just take the thinkpad when I go (I'm on call 24x7).

Though I'm not sure the company would spring for an external monitor and external keyboard.

Thank you.

[Jason404]

If you use it as a doc for when you get home with just a normal mouse but the thinkpad keyboard and mouse, does it still have some value then?

Did you mean the ThinkPad monitor?

In that instance, it would have no value at all, over an external USB optical drive, as you could just as easily connect a USB mouse, as slide it onto the Ultrabase.

The main benefit of using the Ultrabase as a dock, is not having to connect the monitor cable everytime (and ethernet, keyboard, mouse).

I bought an Ultrabase for my X30, which I still have for my X31, but I would not bother buying one again, as I do not use it as a dock. I should sell it really, as I have an external USB DVD-ROM drive that I use much more, with all my laptops.

[awolfe63]

Sure it does. I do this on a spare desk in my office. Instead of plugging in USB for the DVD, USB for the mouse, speakers, and Ethernet, I just drop it into a dock. Also - I get line-level stereo out instead of adjustable headphone levels.

[dynamicnet]

Greetings:

At the office, I currently have a Dell desktop; but I'm considering just using the ThinkPad X200 to replace it giving me mobile ability (since I'm on call a lot).

If I get the Ultrabase, is there some type of device that would allow me to share the Dell's monitor and keyboard without switching cables in and out or forcing me to buy yet another monitor and keyboard?

thank you.

[Jason404]

Yes, it's called a KVM switch (Keyboard, Video, Mouse).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVM_switch

You can get cheap Belkin ones in consumer computer shops, which are more like a bunch of cables, than the classic box type.

ie.
http://www.belkin.com/uk/switch2/

others:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSectionV ... _Id=204010

I think Dells have been using USB keyboards for a while now, so you might have to make sure that the KVM you get has USB connections for the keyboard and mouse, rather than PS/2.

[awolfe63]

It is called a KVM (Keyboard/Monitor/Mouse Switch).

To support the X200 - you will need one that works with USB keyboards and mice. You also need to use the same video port (DVI or VGA) on both computers.

I use a cheaper, less convenient solution. I connect each computer to one port on the monitor (1 to DVI/1 to VGA) and use a wireless KB/Mouse with a little dongle. I just move the dongle and choose the right input port on the monitor.

[Jason404]

You also need to use the same video port (DVI or VGA) on both computers.

I don't think there have been any ThinkPads with DVI yet (I wish they would sort that out!). You could use either anyway, as you can get DVI-I > VGA adapter dongles for a few pennies.

[awolfe63]

1) On most T-series models, it is available on the port replicator or dock.

2) On the DisplayPort models (T500/W500/x301) and the x200 Ultrabase (what we were actually discussing in this thread) - a DisplayPort -> DVI cable is available from Lenovo (and third parties).

[dynamicnet]

Greetings:

Thank you for sharing this info. While we use KVM over Internet for our servers, I didn't think about it for this situation.

Would the desktop and laptop need its own Ethernet patch cable to connect to the network or would http://www.belkin.com/uk/switch2/ or an item on http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSectionV ... _Id=204010 allow the internet connection to be shared as well (I could always use the wireless on the notebook, but that way I would have the same internal office IP)?

Thank you.

[awolfe63]

I always either use a separate Ethernet from each machine into a switch or use wireless. There are other solutions - but they have issues.

Those devices you linked do not share internet. They are what you are looking for though.

A basic 5-port Ethernet switch (which allows 4 devices to concurrently share 1 Ethernet port) is only about $20-25.

[dynamicnet]

Greetings:

That makes sense.

Thank you.

[Jason404]

An ethernet switch will allow you to network the computers, but if you want internet access on the laptop, you would have to use ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) on the desktop computer (if you are using Windows), and have it switched on anytime that you want to access the internet using the laptop.

To avoid those issues, you would need a NAT router instead, which usually have built in ethernet switches (and wifi, these days).

(This is unless your office connection is part of a wider LAN, in which case you would need another IP address (which you'd probably get automatically through DHCP), or use ICS)

[awolfe63]

He's at work. I'm sure there is either a router already there or a person who hands out static IP addresses.

[Jason404]

Just before you posted that, I edited my post to include that.

Cheers.

[dynamicnet]

Greetings:

Today, late morning, I ordered a ThinkPad X200.

For http://www.belkin.com/uk/switch2/ what particular parts and cables, if any, do I need on the ThinkPad X200 end to connect to the KVM switch?

My goal is to share my existing work monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Thank you.

[awolfe63]

For a VGA-connected monitor with speakers - get F1DG102Uuk Then you need the VGA cable that is already on the monitor now and the sound cable that is on the speakers now.

[Jason404]

That link you gave actually lists UK part numbers, so I tried the US site.

There is a wizard here: http://www.belkin.com/wizard/(S(44uxcnm ... fault.aspx

If your monitor has one DVI input that you currently use with your desktop PC, and a spare VGA connection that you could use for the laptop, you could just connect the laptop to the KVM, and it would only need VGA connections.

So, if you have both DVI and VGA connections, or just two VGA connections, or one VGA connection which is currently used, and your keyboard and mouse are USB (they will have to be to be used on the X200, anyway) - this is probably what you need to get:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductP ... _Id=379847

This is a version with a wireless switch, to flick between the two (unnecessary really), and cannot share speakers, like the previous one:
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductP ... Id=300216#

(edit: I have no idea why the BBCode doesn't seem to be working on this post).

[dynamicnet]

Greetings:

Thank you very much; the wizard came in handy, and the wireless flip fits (order placed).

Thank you again.