Lesley Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Does anyone use one of these - or similar - with a laptop? http://search.dell.co.uk/1/2/4844-belkin-high-speed-docking-station-docking-station-lan-en-fast-en.html#Overview My main PC died on Friday and we're thinking of using a docking station with my laptop, instead of replacing the PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 In that case, as Redwing suggests, I reckon you're best off saving your money. From the sound of it, you're not using enough peripherals to make it worthwhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 ...but if I don't biy a docking station then I'll have to have a whole new PC for work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 ...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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 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 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 You sure your computer is well and truly dead? Have you tried sending it off for repair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 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! No way would I dare take my computer in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Just a thought, everything I have used that has had Belkin written on it has been rubbish, certainly with regards to wireless networking anyway. I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. But they might be ok with dockers stations Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Idea! Buy an external hard drive, and the setup that Claire described, use that for all your work stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 At the risk of confusing things more..... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Labtec-USB-Number-Laptop-Refresh/dp/B000FJH9PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 Nooooooooooo! - don't confuse me.....it doesn't take much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Instead of buying a whole new computer, why not buy a new keyboard, a full size one.... Save you quite a bit of cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 now I am confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I am confused at your confusion... Instead of buying a brand new computer because your laptop does not have a full sized keyboard (one with number pad) Just buy a new keyboard which you can plug into your laptop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 Ah! I see......... a keyboard wouldn't work because I need room on my desk to spread out clients' accounts and the laptop screen is too small for big spreadsheets. PC is ordered now - thanks for all the ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
