Jump to content
Lesley

Belkin Docking Station

Recommended Posts

I have a similar thing for my Dell but don't use it

 

If you have lots of accessories eg monitor, printer, scanner, speakers etc... then they are great as you only need to make one connection to your laptop

 

If you (like me) only connect a mouse and keyboard and then only rarely then plugging in two things is no hardship

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What make and model is the laptop, Lesley?

 

As Redwing has said, a docking station is a great idea if you have several devices that you regularly want to plug in and out of your laptop, but not really worthwhile for just a couple. Personally, I find the cut-off comes at three devices; at work, where I have a mouse, keyboard and monitor, I wouldn't now want to do without a docking station. That said, the one I have at work is a "proper" one that I drop my laptop onto (and which supplies the power) rather than one that simply plugs into one of the laptop's slots, so it really is easy to use.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The laptop is a Dell XPS M1530.

 

My main PC is/was in the office as I work from home, I don't have much attached to the laptop....just the cable for uploading my photos. I would need a mouse and keyboard for my work though.

 

I always used the main PC to access the forum....and my emails but have started to use the laptop more often as I liked this one - never liked any that Carl had had before. My email access has now been set up on the laptop so we thought it might be a more cost effective way of having a computer in two rooms......

 

Carl will be checking with Dell - I was just looking as I want something that doesn't take up too much room as I need room on my desk to spread client accounts out for me to work on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...but if I don't biy a docking station then I'll have to have a whole new PC for work :?

 

Sorry, Lesley; perhaps I'm being obtuse, but I'm not sure how you got to that conclusion. Perhaps easier if I summarise and you can tell me what I'm missing:

 

  • If, to use your laptop for work, you need to use an external keyboard and mouse, just plug them directly into the laptop instead of buying a docking station
     
  • If, to use your laptop for work, you also need to attach a monitor or other devices to your laptop, it's worthwhile getting a docking station so that all the devices can be attached to it, so that you only need to plug one thing (the docking station itself) into the laptop.
     
  • The docking station does not add any more functionality than providing an extra set of slots/ports for your laptop to use when you're at that desk, and that you can leave behind when you want to take your laptop with you. If you want to do more than just make plugging things into your laptop easier, the docking station isn't the tool for the job.

 

Based on these three points, I can see nothing stopping you using your laptop for both work and home instead of getting another PC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, Lesley; perhaps I'm being obtuse, but I'm not sure how you got to that conclusion. Perhaps easier if I summarise and you can tell me what I'm missing:

 

If, to use your laptop for work, you also need to attach a monitor or other devices to your laptop, it's worthwhile getting a docking station so that all the devices can be attached to it, so that you only need to plug one thing (the docking station itself) into the laptop.

 

No, it's me, not giving enough information - couple with not knowing what I'm talking about really :D

 

I do need the monitor as well, and a docking station seemed to be the easiest way to provide a computer for working on as I already have a decent laptop. Tasha had a docking station I could have tried but it isn't compatible and I think I may stick with having a separate PC as I had until mine cooked in the heatwave! Still thinking about it all........

 

Thanks for your help :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is well and truly dead Fred, Carl is going to retrieve stuff off the hard drive.

 

The main reason I wouldn't ever dare take my computer to be repaired is.......

a. I worked for many years doing the accounts for the local computer shop and know all the engineers

and....

b. being a moderator in the days when we had a lot of spam 'members' and extremely dodgy links......I used to check to see if they were legit. by clicking on the links! :lol:

 

No way would I dare take my computer in :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All our consultants at work use laptops and we tried docking stations, but found them to be rubbish for a variety of reasons. Now they all have screen lifts to put their lappys on and then just plug in the network cable, keyboard and mouse. They all seem to be happier with that arrangement.

 

My lappy at home is connected to the PC by wifi and I can access the files on the PC and printer via that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks all, plenty to think about.

 

I think the docking stations sound a real pain,I can't use my laptop for work as it doesn't have the number pad so I'm going to go with a new PC.........

 

I must remember to buy a Lottery ticket :think:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




×
×
  • Create New...