Docking Port

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Docking Port

The docking port is a proprietary connector that generally provides an ISA, PCI, or PCI-E extension interface. It is featured on many models to provide the option of attaching it to one of the various docking stations, thereby allowing the said model to extend its base functionality.

Recently, the introduction of Thunderbolt has led to the discontinuation of the old dedicated docking port. This can be seen as most of the newer models lack a dedicated docking port.

Overview

There are multiple types of docking ports, however there is no strict and official classification of them. The list of models with the docking port is divided into multiple groups of which each uses same docking port type, and lists docking stations which use this port. However not all laptops will be compatible with all docks in given group, some will not work, or will have limited funcionality.

Not all docks use full capabilities of each port. For example "replicators" generally do not have any electronic components, and just use wires to connect docking port to port in the dock (like VGA, PS/2, RJ-45, serial port, parallel port, audio, USB, charging power). Port replicators then expose exactly same ports as in the laptop itself, however sometimes exposes few more (like serial port, parallel port, DVI port), which could not be on laptop itself due space or cost concerns. "Docks" however are more complicated - they have replicated ports just like replicators, but additionally uses all capabilities of the docking port (including PCI, ISA, IDE interfaces), needs additional power, can have various additional capabilities (like additional USB ports, PCMCIA, CardBus slots, ISA or PCI slot, UltraBay slot).

Models featuring this technology

with a 'CS92' docking port

with a 'CS93' docking Port

with a 'CS94' docking port

with a 'CS96' docking port

with a 'CS97' docking port

with a 'CS98' docking port

with a 'CS98' slim docking port

with a 'CS00' docking port

with a 'CS00' slim docking port

with a 'CS05' docking port

with a 'CS05' slim docking port

with a 'CS05' special slim docking port

with a 'CS08' slim docking port

with a 'CS09' docking port

with a 'CS09' special docking port

with a 'CS13' docking port