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.

Available Docking Stations and Port Replicators

• ThinkPad Port Replicator II (A,R,T,X series models)
• ThinkPad Dock II (A,R,T,X series models)
• ThinkPad Mini-Dock (A,R,T,X series models)
• ThinkPad X4 Dock (X40 series)
• UltraBase X3 (X30, X31, X32)
• UltraBase X4 (X40, X41)

Withdrawn Docking Stations and Port Replicators

• ThinkPad Dock I (3545) (360/370/750/755/760 series models)
• ThinkPad Dock II (3546) (360/370/750/755/760 series models)
• ThinkPad Port Replicator Model 1 (360/370/750/755/760/765 series models)
• ThinkPad Port Replicator Model 2 (360/370/750/755/760/765 series models)
• SelectaBase Model I (TP 760 and 765 series models)
• SelectaBase 600 (TP 600 series models)
• SelectaBase 770 (TP 770 series models)
• SelectaDock I (TP 600³, 760¹, 765¹ and 770² series models)
• SelectaDock II (TP 600³, 760¹, 765¹ and 770² series models)
• SelectaDock III (TP 600³, 760¹, 765¹ and 770² series models)
• TransNote Port Extender (ThinkPad TransNote)
• ThinkPad i Series Port Replicator (TP i1400, i1500 Series)
• ThinkPad 365 Port Replicator (TP 365)
• ThinkPad 365X Port Replicator (TP 365X)
• ThinkPad 380/385 Port Replicator
• ThinkPad 560 Port Replicator (TP 380/385 series, 560 and 570⁴)
• ThinkPad Enhanced Port Replicator (TP 380/385 series and 560X)
• ThinkPad Port Replicator with Advanced EtherJet (TP 380Z, i1720, i1721 and 390, 570, 600 and 770 series)
• ThinkPad Port Replicator (A20-A31p, R30-R32, T20-T30, X20-X32)
• ThinkPad Dock (A,T,X series models)
• UltraBase (TP 570 series)
• UltraBase X2 (X20, X21, X22, X23, X24)

Other

• Direct Dock Adapter
• 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.

External Sources

• IBMs Docking Solutions overview page

FOOTNOTES [Δ]

1. requires SelectaBase Model I
2. requires SelectaBase 770
3. requires SelectaBase 600
4. requires Direct Dock Adapter or UltraBase