rorsteven's Full Review: IBM ThinkPad PORT (02K8668) Port Replicator
This is the Yugo of docking stations/replicators for the IBM laptop family. Actually that may be too heavy a slur on the Yugo.
IBM has produced 6 different replicators/docking stations:
Dock II
Mini Dock (See my review of this)
Port Replicator the model reviewed here
Port Replicator II
(also two models of the UltraBase)
You might be wondering what is a "docking station" and how is that different from a "port replicator":
docking stations theoretically provide additional features like a CD drive, or a CardBus slot which can be used when the laptop is mounted on it.
port replicators however are merely cable-management devices. Their purpose in life is to make it simple to manage the various cables for monitors, keyboards, mice, USB drives.
Both devices provide connectors and typically would be placed in a stationary location on a desk. Their purpose is to provide a quick method to connect all of your peripherals. For the average user, the difference between a "dock" and a "replicator" is unimportant. Since many laptops (the IBM T-40, for example) have saved space by not putting connectors for the mouse, keyboard, serial or parallel ports on the laptop itself if you want to use an external, non-USB, device you MUST have a dock or a replicator.
Here at my office, we like to secure our laptops. They are the most stolen items in corporate America. And the poor design in the area of security is the main reason that this replicator is the least useful dock/replicator I have seen.
What is Wrong?
The replicator suffers from several major problems:
1. It does not come with a power adapter. The replicator is much less useful if you have to disconnect the power adapter and reconnect it every time you dock or undock. Plus, since you will want a second adapter, you will end up spending more ($45 to $90, depending on the adapter model).
2. The locking port (where you attach a security cable) automatically locks the docking station preventing you from either docking or undocking your laptop. To undock, you must first remove the security leash from the back of the replicator. To dock, the leash must be off. By the way, those security "leashes" are rather painful to lock or unlock - especially when they are located at the back where due to cabling they are hard to get to.
3. The replicator has no guides, rails, or alignment markings to allow you to plop your laptop on it. [Unfortunately none of the ThinkPad docks/replicators thought to provide this useful feature.] You must slide and fiddle with your Thinkpad to get it docked.
4. When I use this docking station together with an IBM T40, a Linksys 2-port KVM (Keyboard/Video/Mouse) switch and *EVERY* mouse I have tried my docked laptop will not boot - it remains forever on the boot screen with the IBM logo. Must remove the mouse. I now have TWO mice at my workstation, one for the desktop unit, the other - plugged into the USB port for the laptop. I have not tried to diagnose the problem further (could be the Linksys, the docking station, the laptop - apparently it is NOT the mouse).
In summary, if you want to secure your laptop, prepare to be sorely tested whenever you choose to carry it off your desk, or return it there.
Now, you really can have the best of both worlds a single computer that can meet all your needs in the office and away without sacrificing function or...More at eBay
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2010 Shopping.com, Inc.