Docking Station with KVM Switch for T61

[Vilietha]

Hi there,

I have a normal desktop system at home.
But I also have a Lenovo Thinkpad T61. And I would like to use it with all the devices of my destkop system (screen...)
So I want to use a docking station.
But the desktop computer should still be usable with the devices as well, if the notebook is not used.
Therefore, all devices need to be connected to the docking station and at the same time to the desktop computer.

What do you recommend?
Is there a docking station with a KVM switch integrated?
If not, which KVM switch would you recommend?

Thank you a lot,
Vilietha

[Harryc]

There is no docking station for a Thinkpad with a KVM built in. You'd want to get an Advanced minidock for the T61 and a decent DVI/USB KVM switch. Personally I prefer IOGEAR KVM products.

[Vilietha]

Thank you very much for your answer.

I have an monitor with the old connection (not DVI), and a Ps/2 keyboard, an an Usb-mouse...
I wonder if there will be an KVM switch for me...

For further recommendations I will be grateful.
Kind regards

[Harryc]

I would get a PS2 / VGA KVM and use a USB to PS2 adapter for the mouse. I'd assume that you need a 2-port model since you have 2 machines .
http://www.iogear.com/product/GCS62/
$22.95USD from the manufacturer. That is a nice deal...hot-keys work too.

[Vilietha]

You are right, a 2-port switch it shall be...
Thanks a lot!

One of the two Pc's will always run.
I hope the switch will switch properly also in that case.
(switch to the second pc if it is turned on).
And that the keyboard will work even if the running computer sends no vga output (sleeping)...

[Harryc]

The keyboard is not an issue because it always receives power, but I have never seen a KVM automatically switch to a PC as it is powered on. That would be a useful feature though. If you find a KVM with that feature let us know. Normally you'd just use the hoykeys on the keyboard to switch ... or press a button on the KVM.

[Vilietha]

I see...

Are there also other docking stations available for the T61?
And is there a certain reason why have you suggested the advanced minidock and not one of those others?

Kind regards,
Vilietha

[Harryc]

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 61297.html
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 61232.html
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 61200.html

[DonHB]

The GCS62 is NOT a good choice for Thinkpads. It has incompatibilities with Thinkpad combined keyboard-mouse ports. For details search for Thinkpad in the manual. Many Iogear KVM's don't have this problem. I have a 4-port model that works very well with Thinkpads.

[Harryc]

Good to know. I have a 4 port IOGEAR miniview DVI and it works with every model of Thinkpad I've tried (Macs too), but that also cost well over $200 when I bought it a few years back.

[Vilietha]

Thank you for your answers.

There is another question.
The thinkpad only supports VGA-Output for the external monitor.
However, my normal desktop pc has a DVI out, and soon I would like to by a new lcd-screen (probably with DVI).

If I use a KVM which supports VGA monitors, I will have to use a dvi-konverter for the screen and the desktop.

Will there be a significant difference in quality of the image on the screen btw VGA and Dvi?
The point is, VGA-KVM switches are more abundant and also cheap.