First off, I recently purchased a Dell M1530 laptop with Vista 32bit Ultimate. Unfortunately the computer does not come with a standard docking station, which I would have preferred as you can sit it down and be done. With the M1530 about 1" stick out on either side of the station but it works and looks fine. I also have the 9 cell battery which sticks out a bit in the back of the laptop and it still just fits without pressing any of the keys in the front which was another concern of mine, for normal laptops up to 1.5" thick or maybe even 2" you should be ok its just harder to slide the laptop in and out. But I'm convinced with some practice it will be no problem, I did knock off a key the first time when I was not being cautious but luckily it popped right back on.
I was looking for the next best thing, I didn't want to use an external monitor as that would add to clutter. Despite reading the other reviews citing issues with drivers I went ahead and purchased. Once it arrived I inserted the Windows Vista CD it came with and then plugged in the USB cord. It installed the driver (I believe only took the Ethernet driver off the CD) and internet/USB devices were working. Didn't notice any speed slowdown with the internet and I tested speed before/after the docking station. I nervously plugged in my speakers to the docking station but they also worked perfectly. NOTE: By default in Vista your laptop will use the new "USB Speakers" if they are connected, but you can change this simply by right clicking the speaker icon on bottom right of your taskbar, clicking playback devices, and setting your laptop speakers as default and then restarting the media program you are using.
So now I arrive home, put my laptop in the stand (this is the awkward part - for side-entry the best way is to slide it in without going deeper than the mousepad, then once its centered lower it until it hits the bottom - for top-entry its much more simple as you can just lower it from the top but my desk has a roof) and connect power/USB and I'm done. Though it is a bit odd looking its highly functional and kinda cool. The note holding is also very handy and my IR remote works nicely through the plastic at the bottom. Kensington sd100s Notebook Docking Station with Stand K60721US
I own an Acer laptop and Acer doesn't offer dedicated docking stations, so I was happy to come across this item. I also found a good deal on it, which made me even happier.
today I got the product and I am returning it tomorrow.
First, this thing is MASSIVE! in the pictures you see the supporting leg at its closest position to the base, but that would position the screen at about your forehead hight. If you open the leg to a realistic angle the footprint it HUGE, a lot bigger then the laptop itself would have taken!
second, its a universal stand and it shows; my laptop is a supper ordinary 15.4 size, and yet the feet is lousy - it sticks out on both sides (the pictures must be showing a 12 inch laptop), and it is VERY loose thickness wise - it basically just lies there with no real support.
I would also expect a stand of this kind to improve heat disposal in a way, since it elevates the laptop, but on the contrary - its back has no holes and it is flat against my laptop buttom. Even a regular paper notebook under my laptop does a better job!
last, it blocks access to many important keys on my laptop, such as volume, card reader and more.
The docking station itself (SD100) isn't much either. As one of the other reviewers mentioned, this is at best a port replicator, not a docking station. If you have to buy it, than it is better by itself than with the stand, but again, I don't think it is worth the price. get a great powered USB hub for 20$ and be done with it. to pay that much more for an extra audio plug is just not worth it. and what is the point of getting an Ethernet cable modem if eventually you get everything running through a single over loaded USB cable (the one that connects the whole docking station to the laptop). If any of you need a reminder about how slow USB is (even USB 2), try to connect an external hard drive once with a USB cable and once with Firewire, and see the difference. So I ended up connecting the network cable directly to my laptop anyway....
I usually like Kensington products, but I must say that this one is a serious disappointment.
Like many laptop users, I was literally hunched over my computer for hours a day, before purchasing this docking station. Now my laptop screen is fully centered at eye-level. Using the station couldn't be easier. My printer, back-up hard-drive, ethernet, keyboard, etc. all stay plugged into the station. When I return to my desk, my laptop keyboard slips easily into the slot. Easy access to my computer's USB slots (both sides and rear) make plugging in the power and the docking station (1-USB) convenient. An added plus is the reduced cable clutter in my work area and the classy black sheen of the station. The front of the station does not block reception by your remote (a convenience I don't actually use). One consideration for all stations like this one, turning on your computer while in the docking station would be a challenge if your on/off switch is on the front edge of your computer (and thus buried in the bottom of the dock). The remote access would help here. My computer has a second DVD/Computer on/off switch on the screen, so this is not a problem for me. - Notebook Dock - Disappointing - Laptop Stand - Laptop Docking Stations'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
