Best Docking Station for T500?

[Bandana Boyz]

Which is the best one to use with the T500? Will the T410 docking station work? Any opinions?

250410U -- what is listed T400/500
433710U -- wat is listed for T410
250510W -- T60/61 series
26R9064 -- T60/61 series or other

[Harryc]

250410U is an Advanced Mini Dock and will work with the T500.

[dr_st]

You have three options, which I list in increasing order of functionality and price:

Essential Port Replicator - model 2505
Advanced Mini-Dock - model 2504
Advanced Dock - model 2503

[Bandana Boyz]

I appreciate all the feedback on my questions on this forum, I was very excited about picking up my first Thinkpad in a long time and now want to ensure I have the best set-up.

I have researched the difference in features, not sure I need the extra hard drive or dvd bay now but you never know. Which model is most appealing/desirable by Thinkpad users in the long-term if I decide to sell my T500 when I upgrade to a newer model?

Advanced Mini Dock, 2504 ($25 to $50)
vs.
Advanced Dock, 2503 ($50 to $100)

[Harryc]

Doesn't really matter. 2 or 3 years down the road they won't be worth much. Go for the features you need.

[JMvS]

If you have no use for the special features of the Advanced Dock, go for the Advanced Mini Dock.

The Advanced Dock is not worth it if you're not gonna use it's features: its fan is noisy, and it is much more cumbersome.

[dr_st]

Also - does the Advanced Dock support hot docking/undocking? I understand that it does not if you use external graphics, but what if you don't?

[Bandana Boyz]

Thanks for all the feedback; I am going to go with model 2504, best value for money for what I need.