Kensington's Notebook Dock with Adjustable Base
posted May 2nd 2005 9:22AM
Kensington busted out their new Notebook Dock with Adjustable Base the other day, which is more or less a successor to that Laptop Desktop USB 2.0 laptop dock they introduced late last year. This time around they've included a detachable port replicator that gives you 5.1-channel audio, Ethernet, parallel, serial, and USB 2.0 ports all through a single USB 2.0 connection from your PC (the Laptop Desktop USB 2.0 only offered a USB hub). We'd totally kill for them to add VGA to the mix—we've got a multiple monitor fetish—but we can see the point of having serial and parallel ports in there since most new laptops come without either and plenty of people still have old parallel and serial periphrals they'd like to use. We've been playing around with one for the last couple of days, and while we wish the design were a little less unobtrusive (the iCurve might not do much besides raise your laptop up, it does a lot to reduce the sense of clutter on your desk), the port replicator did work like a charm once we got everything set up. Retails for $150.
I don't understand why these things always cover the whole laptop keyboard? Sure you don't need it, but at the very least it seems like a large waste of material. Does it serve a purpose? Do people get distracted by the 'extra' keyboard?
Targus has one that includes video but doesn't have 5.1 sound.
Targus Universal Notebook Docking Station with Video
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=ACP50US
I've got the previous version of this, and the part that covers the keyboard actually is a document holder clip. Although I agree, I'd sacrifice the document clip I almost never use in exchange for having the laptop's keyboard exposed.
Where do they get the retail price of $150?
It says only $80 right on Kensington's website:
http://www.kensington.com/html/5558.html
I don't understand how these setups are at all ergonomically correct. The monitor always sits way too high!
If anyone wants a laptop stand that doesn't cover the keyboard or the fans in the back. Check out Standit.com I bought a stand from them and let me tell you it's the best one so far. Even though it doesnt have usb, it is still awesome.
#4, you're looking at the wrong product. Check out the link listed under the article.
I love how people don't read. You're confusing the Laptop Desktop USB, which costs $80, with the Notebook Dock, which costs $150:
Notebook Dock with Adjustable Base
Universal docking station provides optimal ergonomic comfort
Converts laptops into desktops instantly. Detachable dock provides 5.1 audio, Ethernet, parallel and serial, and USB 2.0 connections through a single USB plug. SmartFit adjusts height for optimal viewing comfort. Compatible with all Dell Inspiron notebooks.
Model number: 60702
Price: $149.99
If you just want to raise your monitor and don't need all the ports built into the stand, consider a sturdy copyholder. I got one for $13.
Details and photo on my blog at http://wemmick.blogspot.com/2004/08/cheap-laptop-stand.html
The Targus video dock works horribly on my laptop. Huge delays, frequent screen burps.. it's a nightmare. Has anyone out there had a better experience with it?
Covering up the face of the notebook is bad - limits access to laptop functions, speakers, drives, LED and traps in heat that limits performance and puts excessive ware and tear on the system. Plus I've used the Kensignton and it scratches the finish on your system when you take it in and out. Check out the solutions from Xbrand for a better answer.
Covering up the face of the notebook is bad - limits access to laptop functions, speakers, drives, LED and traps in heat that limits performance and puts excessive ware and tear on the system. Plus I've used the Kensignton and it scratches the finish on your system when you take it in and out. Check out the solutions from Xbrand for a better answer.
Oysterdock is the original and the best. Who wants all the copycats. The keyboard should be covered if you care at all what your desktop looks like. Try staring at two keyboards all day long. Aargh.
I just unpacked the Kensington stand. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but it is way too high. I feel like I need a headrest and a bucket of popcorn. After lowering it down all the way, which was the right height for me, I realized I could get the same effect by sitting my laptop on a cheaper stand—or on a couple of phone books.
I would strongly advise anyone intending this for use as a desktop replacement NOT purchase one. My Dell 8200 had a real port replicator, just plug in/plug out. With this Kensington, in order to connect my Dell 9300, one must attach the laptop power cord, and a VGA cable (if you want to run an external monitor) separately, every time you dock or un-dock. They saw fit to include 5.1 audio jacks (for business? who cares?) but no firewire port either. I won't even get into the ergonomic issues. This product is utterly useless for business purposes. Just useless.
I recently purchaced the Kensington Notebook stand and was looking forward to utilising the full 5.1 sound capabilities - I foolowed the instructions to the word - I also contacted Kensington for some assistance. The end result is that the 5.1 sound system still works a basic stereo system. I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook.
All the documentation with the notebook stand implies that the 5.1 sound utilities should work - no luck so far ??