Port Replicator Question

[royalmail]

I'm trying to get an answer to a very simple question and am getting nowhere!

Does a port replicator also provide power to the laptop?

In other words, does the user need to do anything power wise when hooking back up to the port replicator, or is the port replicator connected to a power supply and ready to go?

Hardware in question is the port replicator for a DELL Latitude D630.

Thanks in advance.

 

[goombawaho]

I never seen a docking station/port replication that doesn't have it's own AC power cord that then supplies DC power to run the laptop and charge the battery at the same. So YES!!!!

 

[goombawaho]

Port REPLICATOR - sorry!!!!

 

[wahnula]

There's two types of port replicator:

1. Those that the laptop manufacturer makes and connects via a multipin socket on the rear of the laptop. This will have another power adapter and in some cases another LAN chip, but uses the laptop's graphics card;

2. Those that connect via a USB port only, like the Targus. While this device has its own power brick, it does NOT power the laptop. It also has separate LAN, modem and its own crummy graphics card built-in.

I have used both on several different rigs and my favorite was the Dell replicator that the laptop just slid in and locked. I did have to plug a phone line into the modem as it did not have one in the replicator.

I would make sure that you carefully inspect the ports on the replicator do you fully understand what it does, there are devices out there that do not include video.

Tony

"...an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind" - M.L. King

 

[royalmail]

Thanks everyone.

The one I am looking at is the DELL branded port replicator, and it definitely connects using the socket underneath the laptop and not USB, so I think I am covered.

Not sure if you can post links here but this is the item on the JPN site.

http://accessories.apj.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=jp&l=ja&s=bsd&cs=jpbsd1&sku=A1270885

 

[wahnula]

This will either come with its own power brick or have one integrated. Here's the specs in a PDF for the rest of us

http://www.dell.com/downloads/us/products/latit/dfamily_docking.pdf

You should be very happy with this unit, just exercise care when connecting and disconnecting the laptop, and make sure the multi-pin laptop socket is free from debris when you pull it from your bag.

Tony

"...an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind" - M.L. King