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.
Contents
Available Docking Stations and Port Replicators
- SelectaBase 600 (TP 600 series)
- SelectaBase 770 (TP 770 series)
- SelectaDock I
- SelectaDock II (TP 600/E/X)
- SelectaDock III (TP 600/E/X)
- TransNote Port Extender (ThinkPad TransNote)
- ThinkPad i Series Port Replicator (TP i1400, i1500 Series)
- ThinkPad Enhanced Port Replicator
- ThinkPad 365 Port Replicator (TP 365)
- ThinkPad 365X Port Replicator (TP 365X)
- ThinkPad 380/385 Port Replicator (TP 380 series, 385 series)
- ThinkPad 560 Port Replicator (TP 560 Series)
- ThinkPad Port Replicator with Advanced EtherJet (TP 380Z, 390 series, 570 series, 600 series, 770 series, i1720)
- ThinkPad Port Replicator (A20-A31p, R30-R32, T20-T30, X20-X31)
- ThinkPad Port Replicator II (A,R,S,T,X series models)
- ThinkPad Dock I (A20-A31p, R30-R32, T20-T30, X20-X31)
- ThinkPad Dock II (A,R,S,T,X series models)
- ThinkPad Mini-Dock (A,R,S,T,X series models)
- UltraBase (TP 570 series)
- UltraBase X2 (X20, X21, X22, X23, X24)
- UltraBase X3 (X30, X31, X32)
- UltraBase X4 (X40, X41)
Other
- SelectaBase PC Card Enabler
- SelectaBase PC Card Enabler with Advanced EtherJet
- 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.
