8204 Dock

[ramstryke]

Is there a dock available for the 8204 where I can turn my laptop into a desktop.. by which I mean, I just hook up a monitor, keyboard, mouse and not have to open the notebook to use it (keep it closed)?

Do I make any sense?

[JackT]

In the Acer ePower Management, at the top, "Advanced Settings", "Power Button and Password". "When I close the lid" -> "No Action"

http://www.lortrader.com/acer.png

[gweilo8888]

Is there a dock available for the 8204 where I can turn my laptop into a desktop.. by which I mean, I just hook up a monitor, keyboard, mouse and not have to open the notebook to use it (keep it closed)?

Do I make any sense?

Yes, there is. Assuming you're in the USA, you want Acer part number LC.D0103.004. In Europe and Asia, there is also a cut-down dock with reduced connectivity options available, as well as a multi-cable that gives you a handful of connections in place of a full dock.

The full LC.D0103.004 has a HUGE amount of connectivity on it, so you really can just plug a single plug into the laptop for the dock, which will provide basically all power and connectivity. The dock even includes both a PC card slot and an ExpressCard slot *in the dock*, as well as *six* USB 2.0 High-Speed ports, both 4-pin (Sony i.Link) and 6-pin (IEEE 1394 Firewire) connections, DVI / VGA / S-video, and boatloads of other connections besides.

It is a bit pricey though, expect to pay around $250-300 for the dock. I love having only one plug to connect everything to my notebook though.

[JackT]

I think he was refering to using the laptop as a "tower", not the EZ Dock.

[MSNealo]

I think he was refering to using the laptop as a "tower", not the EZ Dock.

He did ask

Is there a dock available for the 8204?

So the only answer is the EZdock. And although pricey it will do as exactly as he requested and more.

[JackT]

The question didn't stop there. You mis-quoted ramstryke.

[gweilo8888]

The question didn't stop there. You mis-quoted ramstryke.

Jeez, picky picky. You answered half the question, I answered the other half. What's the big deal?

[nanobrain]

Targus has an alternative to the EZ Dock: http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=ACP50US

Didn't use it myself, so I have no idea how good it is. Anyone? But it's at least 1/2 the price of the EZ Dock.

HTH,

1E-9

[digitalfx]

Targus has an alternative to the EZ Dock: http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=ACP50US

Didn't use it myself, so I have no idea how good it is. Anyone? But it's at least 1/2 the price of the EZ Dock.

HTH,

1E-9

The EZDock is well worth the extra cost, the Targus is a POS. Look at the video resolution options you are limited to w/ the Targus...it is unusable. It doesnt even provide enough power to supply all the ports.
The EZdock eliminates the need for a second power supply....and works GREAT.
My only complaint w/ EZDock is the connector to the 8200....takes up way too much desk realestate. The sony approach is much better w/ the dock on the bottom of the notebook.
BTW- I have both.