I'm starting a new job in a few week's time that will involve mainly working from home. As such I'm in the process of kitting out a home office.

 

I already have a desktop PC and 24" monitor and my new employers are going to be supplying me with a laptop. I will have a say in what model of laptop so I'm keen to get something that's half decent and that also has the option of a docking station. The reason I want a docking station is that I'm planning on getting a second monitor and I want to be able to share the monitors between my desktop and the laptop with minimal fuss and hassle.

 

Does anyone have any experience of docking stations? Any recommended brands that do docking stations for their laptops...Lenovo, Dell, etc? I know there are some that are specific to a particular brand/model that have a specific connector, and then those that are more generic whereby the connection is simply via USB. My pref would be the former, whereby you can just click the laptop into the dock and away you go...seems less faffy than having to plug in USB cables, etc. A colleague of mine at my current job has a Dell USB type one and it gives him no end of problems...it's forever freezing and requiring reboots.

 

 

I use a Lenovo T450 laptop with their USB 3.0 dock.

 

It is hooked up to a 24" monitor on my desk and an LCD TV/Monitor on the wall, all coupled with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

 

I only need to connect power to laptop and the USB dock cable.

Thanks Coops

 

How have you found the T450? I believe the T460 is the latest incarnation but I'd imagine it will be similar. Build quality been OK? Good performance and battery life?

Thanks Coops

 

How have you found the T450? I believe the T460 is the latest incarnation but I'd imagine it will be similar. Build quality been OK? Good performance and battery life?

 

I came from a bullet proof (IMO) Dell Latitude E5510 laptop and thought the Lenovo was a bit Fisher Price to start with but it has certainly impressed.

 

Build quality is good - it does get some usage and travel

Battery life is excellent - can be upto 6 hours

Performance is good too - 2.3 GHz processor, 8 GB RAM, 500GB hard drive (split in two)

I've been using dells for years (probably about 14), via the "proper" (ie not USB) docks. Found them very good - they extend the network (RJ45) and monitor x2 (DVI + what looks like HDMI on each), 4 USB, 2 Serial + a parallel. Separate power supply (so one lives in the bag for when i go out, one stays with the dock) and a power button (so you don't open the lid unless you need to)

 

Certainly never had the freezing issues you mention. I'm on the second docking station as they changed the connector about 2 laptops ago, but like you, the company supplies so it wasn't an issue for me. I like the dell laptops too (i know some don't) but mine are the business ones rather than the cheap "home" type

I've got a HP Probook 6560b (getting on a bit now) using the HP dock. Goes to 2 monitors (one VGA, one DVI) and has 4 USB's on top of the laptop ones which are still accessible. Also got displayport, serial, parallel, PS/2 keyboard and mouse.

I've been using HP Probook's for years - awesome bits of kit until they go wrong, then they really go wrong (normally new mobo needed).

After further enquiries it looks like it needs to be either Dell or Lenovo...but other than that, I'm fairly free to spec out as required. 

Make sure you get an SSD. Either will do the job really. I prefer Dell keyboards myself

I run a thinkpad x230, so a few generations behind the current line.

 

Pros:

Compact size when travelling.

Docks easily - on lenovo dock ( pro)

Externally Two screens supported

Last of the ok keyboards 

Cheap as chips, takes 16Gb of ram and m2 drive.

 

Cons:

Smaller Battery

Smaller Screen

Not the x220 keyboard

needs 7mm ssd drive ( std now )

 

 

For the newer models the docking stations I believe changed.

 

So really depends on use case and is it portable needs or just occasionally. If it's a desktop replacement and hardly moves then look to the beasts in the W range.

 

If it's for linux, avoid nvidia dual cards, or accept it's off, might be improved now.  The intel graphics onboard is fine for desktop work. My little x230 drives a 34" 21:9 fine and it's beyond it's spec as they didn't exist when it was made.

 

I use external keyboards and mice depending on the goal, mostly mechanicals for clicky / feedback.

 

As it's work add on the next day onsite support. My x230, although an ebay job and the 240 was out, it still had 3year warranty in place. The chip fan got clackity one day, next day ibm engineer replaced it on kitchen table foc.

 

All that said I've been looking at the dell xps 'infinity' line. It all depends on the mix, balancing power/portability/use.

 

You can also get some nice docks ( henge ) for the apples if your budget runs that far, although it's not that much further.

Oh I'd add, if you're going to be using it with externals for 90% of the time... I'd push to make those externals the best you can. i.e. avoid PWMR displays.

I'd have to say I really like the dell 25" 2560x1440p Great size and a lot of resolution for spreadsheets and code editors, about £250 ea.