Docking Solutions

Docks allow users to connect a variety of external peripherals simply by attaching their ThinkPad to the dock. IBM sells three types of docks for current ThinkPads, the ThinkPad Port Replicator II, ThinkPad Mini-Dock, and ThinkPad Dock II. Additionally, IBM's line of ultralight notebooks, the X-series, have a on-the-go dock called the UltraBase. IBM's docks are known to be some of the most flexible and useful docks available among all notebook manufacturers.

Availabe Docking Stations and Port Replicators

• SelectaDock
• SelectaDock II (TP 600/E/X)
• SelectaDock III (TP 600/E/X)
• ThinkPad Port Replicator with Advanced EtherJet (TP 380Z, 390 series, 570 series, 600 series, 770 series, i1720)
• ThinkPad Port Replicator (I) (A20-A31p, R30-R32, T20-T30, X20-X31)
• ThinkPad Dock (Type 2631) (A20-A31p, R30-R32, T20-T30, X20-X31)
• ThinkPad Port Replicator II (A,R,S,T,X series models)
• ThinkPad Mini-Dock (A,R,S,T,X series models)
• ThinkPad Dock II (A,R,S,T,X series models)
• UltraBase (TP 570)
• UltraBase X2 (X20, X21, X22, X23, X24)
• UltraBase X3 (X30, X31, X32)
• UltraBase X4 (X40, X41)

Other

• Portable Drive Bay (PC-Card UltraBay adapter)
• Portable Drive Bay 2000 (PC-Card/USB UltraBay 2000 adapter)

Future Docks

It is only a matter of time before IBM (or Lenovo) updates the Dock II. With the release of the Intel 915 mobile chipset, it is likely that the follow-on will support PCI Express components. This should be a great boon for Thinkpad owners - greater dock performance and greater expansion possibilities will mean there's even less of a reason to use a desktop PC.