NotebookForums.com › Forums › General Notebook Discussions › Notebook Forums - General › What am I missing with Netbooks and Port Replicators?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

What am I missing with Netbooks and Port Replicators?

post #1 of 8
3/2/09 at 10:41pm
Thread Starter 
At work I use an IBM T61 laptop with a port replicator. I love the ability to dock and undock, power up the laptop while it is docked, and use a dedicated monitor when it is docked.

Recently, I see that Netbooks have taken off and I love the idea of having so much portability for my wife's PC but what escapes me is I can't seem to find any manufacturer combining the two here when it seems like such a good fit to me.

So what am I missing? Wouldn't having Netbooks with dedicated port replicators be a great combination? Are these being made at all because I can't seem to find them. Are the netbooks just too small to have this functionality?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 8
3/3/09 at 12:20am
I believe (although don't quote me on this) that since the entire point of netbooks is to be low cost low performance machines, the companies hat produce them would not feel it is appropriate to also manufacture port replicators for them that cost from 50-75% of the netbooks themselves and that they figure are more intended for power users (people who need more powerful computers) anyway.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 8
3/3/09 at 3:30am
Netbooks aren't going to be replacing your desktop system any time soon, so why bother making a product for them that turns it into a gimped desktop machine? The systems that do support Docking Stations and port replicators carry quite a bit of power in them and so can make an easy transistion from mobile to desktop.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 8
3/3/09 at 10:00am
Thread Starter 
This is too bad because I think they are really missing a market. I would argue there is a large part of the population nowadays that is simply using the web 85% of the time. My wife would fall in to this category. However, when she is home she would want the ability to use a full-size keyboard and mouse as well as a large display. She can probably still get this via a netbook by plugging in the VGA output, a usb keyboard, a usb mouse, and the power cable BUT wouldn't it be great if she just had a port replicator to dock and undock to accomplish the same thing? I would have to think there is a product out there that can accomplish this but I'm just not sure what it is.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 8
3/3/09 at 1:41pm
Some USB docks can probably do some of what you need.

cheers ...
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 8
3/3/09 at 3:58pm
Thread Starter 
I'm pleased to announce manufacturers out there are listening to my cry

Check it out, a netbook with a port replicator is on the way from Gigabyte!

[FONT='Arial Narrow','sans-serif']http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/03/hands-on-with-gigabytes-new-netbooks-all-in-one-pc-and-periphe/[/font]
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 8
3/3/09 at 8:03pm
a good USB BT dongle would do pretty much the same thing

cheers ...
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 8
3/10/09 at 7:22pm
There are universal docks with video like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...g=pc-laptop-20

Most don't get good marks for video over USB, as you can imagine.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Notebook Forums - General
NotebookForums.com › Forums › General Notebook Discussions › Notebook Forums - General › What am I missing with Netbooks and Port Replicators?