I tend to take my laptop around a lot and I get kind of annoyed at having to constantly hook up all the various USB cables and the monitor it interfaces with.
Docking stations seem ideal for convenience, but they seem awfully expensive.
Are there any affordable docks or USB hubs out there? Like less than 30-40 dollars?
I have tried looking at Dell's webpage, but couldn't find any lists over compatible docking stations. Not to mention that when trying to "buy" another identical computer dockings are never mentioned in the "Buy accessories for your Dell" subpage. I have seen a few cheap, used docking stations on the web, but I don't know if they will work. This is the one I can get really cheap:
Would that work on my Preceision M6500? It's for my second and third office (a.k.a. my wife's pet shop and our cabin by the sea), so I need two dockings. And this way I can save 80 % of the cost!
For some stupid reason the M6500 has no SPDIF output, and I see that there is one on this docking. But I don't care if that works or not, I only use SPDIF at home, and I have an USB sound card with SPDIF there.
Our company recently purchased two Dell Inspiron 3721 Laptops (Windows 7) with two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Docking Stations. Both laptops are fine and can connect to the network, but both network adapter on the docking stations don't seem to work on either computer. The lights on the network adapters for both docking stations don't light up and the adapter settings on the laptops show the LAN connections as "Network cable unplugged." The cables work, as we tested them on the laptops themselves. We've also tried uninstalling and re-installing the drivers with no success.
View 1 Replies View RelatedI have an XPS M1530 running Vista Home Premium 64-bit, T-9300 Processor, 6 gig RAM, 320 gig 7200-rpm harddrive. I am using it with the Kensington SD100S Laptop Docking Station (with stand) and a 22" Samsung monitor (monitor as primary display and laptop display as secondary display) and the Dell Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. The Kensignton docking station attaches to the M1530 via USB.
My question is, is it safe for me to detach the docking station when the M1530 is booted up and running? What about detaching the monitor? Except when I have an external USB harddrive turned on, there is not anything in my tray icons to indicate (as far as I can tell) that any hardware needs to be safely removed.
I have a 2nd AC adapter in my den separate from my home office, but I so rarely take the laptop mobile in the house since I power down first. Please let me know whether I am being too cautious, and if it is safe to detach the docking station and monitor while running any precautions that I should take. I do have my XPS backed up via Ghost if a problem should happen.
I've checked Dell Outlet, and the cheapest one there was $900, and that's pretty good but I'm wondering if you guys know any other places I should check.
View 7 Replies View RelatedDell M1730: 320gb 7200rpm to 128gb SSD is $100, and to RAID 256gb ssd (128x128) is $300
HP HDX 18t 320gb 7200rpm to 160 gb SSD + 500gb 5400rpm (who wants that?) is $600.
Sony AW: 320gb 7200rpm to 64gb SSD + 500gb 4200rpm (!) is $420.
Are the SSD's that the Dells use worse quality or something? I really want an SSD with my next laptop, and I'm leaning towards HP or Sony because I think I want an 18.4 inch model, but it really, really surprises me that the Dell SSDs are so much cheaper. Anyone have an explanation, or am I missing something obvious?
where can i get a cheap, yet good/ok webcam for my laptop? i am probably going to get a new laptop by the end of the year, so don't want to spend too much on a webcam. i guess i just need one to hold me over till then... thanks.
View 7 Replies View RelatedWhy this Vostro notebooks from Dell are cheaper than Latitues and with better specs ?
I was looking for a D520, but now that I saw this Vostro 1400, I feel like going Vostro.
What do you guys think about them?
I need a computer to tune/log my ECU in my car. I i have my old dell inspiron 9300 that need a new OS, batt and charger. I lost the recover disk and my brother ripped the key code sticker so i cant see the first set of numbers,
it came with XP pro is there any thing i can do to save it with out buyin a new OS. Like i said im using this to tune ECUs and data log using romraider and
ecuflash. So should i fix the 9300 or get a netbook, any suggestions on netbooks under 300 cheaper the better or a place to get a Windows OS?
Aloha im planning on buying a S16 XPS in about 9months - 1year (or like a few weeks before dell would be discontinuing it from their website).
Since ive got an inspiron 6400 at the moment, and while it does get hot and the back panel cant be opened to clean the dust off fan,
and the graphics card is CRAP and cant play any games like call of duty 4....,
its still a nice laptop and works fine in all other ways and for everything else.
I found very cheap ($39) 9-cell batteries for the SXPS13 on eBay. I ordered one and just got it. As far as I can tell it looks legitimate but I have some doubts ........
View 5 Replies View Relatedhttp://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...399&lid=627062
View 15 Replies View RelatedI got the dreaded GFX card fail on my 1710 a couple of months ago (about a month after warrranty expiration).
Is it possible to get some kind of dirt cheap GFX card replacement to fit to get the notebook booting up again properly (not in safe mode hell)?
Few days before i started a thread regarding the display issue .. and today i was got a replacement for my keyboard...
the old one was very strong and sturdy ... the new one was fragile, and flexible.. i called the CC then and reported that teh keyboard is very fragile...
he told me that currently all replacement keyboards are like that...
it seems that Indian customers are the ones who have been ill treated with cheap parts...
The macbook pro screen is great, and a key insight was to realize that the latitude E6500 screens are the exact same ones (as the last generation before the unibody macbook pros). I got the AUO screen, and it's great. It is the exact same screen as a macbook pro. I had one, so I know until it broke. A great screen totally changes the entire perception of a notebook in my opinion, especially when using it for multimedia.
I have used a thinkpad before and I loved the keyboard. Newer generation ones that I have seen don't feel as cushy and soft. The E6500 keyboard is every bit as good as the current thinkpad keyboards if you like a softer, spongier feel with good key travel. So if you care about the keyboard alot, the new latitudes are I think tied for the #1 spot with anything else that you can throw out there.
Oh, and the price simply can't be beat.
The backlit keyboard is also a very underrated feature. I would absolutely get this if anyone is hesitating.
The one knock on this laptop is the fan noise. It's not bad, but it's not the most silent one out of the macbook pros and the thinkpads. However, I don't believe that there is inferior cooling or inferior design that makes the E6500 run louder. I think that it's probably just a BIOS setting that Dell has put in there to make sure that the system stays cool at the expense of having more noise. In other words, if Dell didn't mind hot system temps like the macbook pros, then I suppose it could run nearly as quietly. Either way, I do wish the notebook was a bit quieter. I do have the nvidia gpu and am curious if getting the intel gpu would cut down on the noise. I'd also gain some battery life and to be honest, I never use any 3d stuff but just like to have the real gpu for resale purposes and to futureproof the laptop.
But for price/performance, this is the laptop to beat because now I can watch videos, even hulu ones, without intrinsically wishing for more brightness and contrast in the dark scenes. I feel like I've got a 15" hdtv.
I am going to upgrate my Acer 5672.
On tigerdirect I found 2 nice Hds
Seagate Momentus 7200.3 ST9250421AS 250GB Mobile Hard Drive - 2.5", 7200RPM, 16MB, SATA-300 for $74
and
Hitachi / TravelStar 7K200 / 200GB / 7200 / 16MB / 2.5" Mobile / SATA-150 / Hard Drive for $90
It seems to me first one is much better, more size , more speed, but I don't understand why it is cheaper.
One guy told me Segate's disks overheat laptops. Is it true ?....
So... why is it cheaper? I everything ok with this brand ?
I am also planning to add more memory, 4GB instead 1GB.
Should I be concern about overheat ?
Dell SXPS 1640 Recent Driver Updates
IDT - Driver
Applies to:
92HD73C1 Audio
Recommended10/7/20096.10.0.6217, A15
Dell - BIOS
Applies to:
XPS 1640 System BIOS
Recommended10/14/2009A11
HLDS - Firmware
Applies to:
CA10N 12.7mm SATA Slotload 4X BD-Combo
Recommended10/9/2009A108, A05
I'm going to be ordering the Sony SR in a couple of days probably. Today I went to Best Buy to look at it. Everything about it I liked except for the casing. It's so flimsy and seems like it's made out of cheap plastic. I recognize that this helps to keep it light, but still, just touching it made me feel like my palms will break the computer after a while, lol. Seriously, why do they make it like that? The thing bends so easily, including the screen. Making it of something a more strong would not add considerable weight!
View 10 Replies View RelatedI was looking on ebay for accessories for my new Z and came across these drives. Would these work as direct replacements for our DVD drives?
NEW Blu-Ray Drive for HP laptops - eBay (item 170491173520 end time Jun-24-10 18:54:19 PDT)
yesterday i placed a complaint on my dispaly since there were few black spots and two white spots on my disaplay . the CC told e that they will replace it . Mine is WXGA+ display.Today a technician came along with the display. he replaced it and when he restarted the system . i noticed that the black contrast ratio were poor.. i thought it was some glare. windows booted and i viewed few photos and video just to check the clarity... they all were glaring..or say the contrast ratio was not as like my prev one.i asked the technician to take a loook.. he too found it different.. so he called his superior .. they said they will replace it again.the funny thing is the one which came new also had pixels and it had the same WXGA+ printed ! so wht shall i do when the new display which is about tot come on monday to have the same contrast ratio.. or poor clarity ?luckily i asked the technician to put back my old display.
View 10 Replies View RelatedCan anyone recommend a docking station for my Vostro 1220?
View 10 Replies View RelatedI'm looking for a laptop that has a port that allows it to connect to a docking station that will actually provide power to it.
I see a lot of them have docking stations available that connect via USB, but you still need to connect a separate power supply to the laptop. Ideally,
I'd love to have one that connects to the docking station by "sitting" in it... i.e., rather than plugging a cable into the "special" port on the laptop, the port is underneath or even just in the back of the laptop in such a way that it connects to the dock by simply resting the laptop up against it.
I have a Dell docking station for my M4400 and sometimes when I place my laptop on it it will freeze, totally, nothing will work except pressing the power button for 5 secs and reboot. It happens once a week or so. Not very often and I cant find any rule to when it happens.
I have a mouse and a LAN cable attached to the dock currently.This is the docking station I have: [url]
I got the PRX01 and my external hard drive (WD 320 GB) or my 8GB flash drives will not be read except on the one usb with power; is that normal or I got a lemon?
View 4 Replies View RelatedI just ordered a docking station from ebay. Everything looks good and works fine except when I plug in my power cord to the dock it the computer says the adapter doesnt supply sufficient power to charge the laptop and requests that I plug in a 90W adapter.
The thing is I'm using the 130W adapter that came with my laptop. If it makes any difference my adapter is a PA-4E model and the dock is the E-Port Plus Replicator
I want to buy a SXPS 13. I am wondering that if i click none on power and docking option, will they give me anything to charge the battery?
View 3 Replies View RelatedOr, more to the point, since I have only one VGA out from the laptop itself, would DVI be of any benefit at all?
Would dual DVI mean that each external monitor would run better?
If not, I'll just get the cheaper docking station. For my desktop, which the E4300 is replacing,
I have had one VGA and one DVI, and it is OK, but I like things the same if possible.
Do you know of any ?
Does the "PR01X D/Port Replicator" have the IEEE 1394?
I have a lot of videos on my camcorder that I would like to burn on dvds and do not think the usb is going to work.
My laptop's fan WILL NOT turn off. Its spinning at blow dryer speeds all the time.
Initially I thought I had a lemon with some heat issues, so I returned it and DELL sent me a new one. I received it today and it has the same problem as the one before.
Apparently this laptop runs super hot when in the docking station-the reason being, I have no clue.
im worried that the internals are going to overheat cuz this fan is blowing out really hot air.
When I use it on the go or anywhere outside of the docking station-no fan problems.
Would hate to lose my docking station/external monitor...
Any suggestions for a cooling pad/docking station combo for the SXPS 16 that I could use in my office?
View 4 Replies View Related