Targus PA090U USB Mobile Port Replicator with Ethernet Review

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(More customer reviews)If you read the manual, it will tell you that the main product limitation comes from having to share one USB 1.1 port with many different devices-- your mouse and keyboard interactions will be guaranteed to hiccup every 3 seconds. I thought it was a great idea until I tried it out myself.

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True plug and play functionality and EthernetconvenienceProduct InformationThe USB Mobile Port Replicator with Ethernet connects virtually any PS/2Parallel Serial and USB device. It supports all makes and models ofWindows-based computes with USB ports. You can add or remove deviceswithout reconfiguring or rebooting your computer. It also allows you tosave desktop space or take on the road. The docking station alternative!Product FeaturesConvenient for travel and desktop useQuickly connect all of your accessories with a single plugUniversal Serial BusEssential accessories for mobile computingProduct Specification Ports on Replicator2 USB A TypesDB25 Parallel PrinterDB9 SerialPS/2 MousePS/2 Keyboard10-BaseT/RJ45 EthernetEmbedded 15" USB Cable and ConnectorAC Adapter: 5.0V 2.0 AmpDimensions: 6.7" x 2.5" x 1.2"Weight: 6.4 ounces (without adapter)IncludesUSB Mobile Port ReplicatorOutput CordUser's GuideWindows RequirementsWindows 98 Me 2000 XPInterface: One USB v1.1 compliant port

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HP XB3000 Port Replicator XB3000 Review

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(More customer reviews)I just bought HP Pavilion dv2000t; it is my first notebook ever after 15 years of desktop computers. So I want it to be a smooth move. One of my main concerns while choosing the notebook was the docking station. I was looking for a desktop replacement, and HP xb3000 covered almost 95% of my needs. It has 6 USB ports, Headphone jack, Mic jack, SPDIF Audio output, VGA port, RCA video, video components, S-video, Ethernet connection, Speakers, Volume control, Mute, and Power Switch. It has adjustable reclaim stand, where you can adjust the height of your notebook. In addition, it comes with wireless keyboard and mouse along with their receiver which should be connected to one of the USB ports (I used them for another computer since I already have my Logitech EX300). The xb3000 has a small compartment for optional HP 300GB harddrive kit which I think does not worth the price ($250), I prefer if HP sells the Harddrive kit alone without the 300GB hard disk so I can install my own capacity. Well, you can use an external USB Hard Disk anyway.
I connected 19" LCD to the station where I use it as primary monitor and my notebook as the extended, this way helps you viewing different websites or document simultaneously on both monitors.
Pros: All above mentioned ports connects to the notebook with a single plug. You can use notebook ports as well while docked. In addition, you can use the remote control that comes with the notebook. Also you can use any two video outputs together. The notebook charges while docked.
Cons: No AC adapter included, where you suppose to use your notebook adapter!! I don't know what HP were thinking, it is not practical to remove it each time you want to take the notebook with you!! So I ordered another adapter of course, (I think this what HP wanted). You can add its cost to the xb3000. Another disadvantage, there is no Firewire port, although it is not important to me, yet. But still you can use the one in the notebook. Another thing, while restarting the computer, the speakers make a high knock-like noise even if they were muted. One last thing, forget about connecting your LCD with DVI connection, neither the notebook nor the xb3000 have Digital input (DVI), so you should use the analog (the blue monitor connector).
I read in other reviews that if you unplug the docking station while using or viewing a file in an external drive, it would crash windows. This will happen also if the notebook hibernated while the file was open. I have not tried this myself so I am not sure.
Overall, I'm very happy with my xb3000. It made my office looks neat.

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Xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base - Base w/ AC Adapter

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HP Essentials USB Port Replicator in Retail Packaging Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this port replicator because I have more devices than I have ports on my laptop. I have a an HP dv4-2045dx running Windows 7 64 bit.
Pros: It works well after installing the drivers on the CD. Need to install drivers because Win 7 didn't recognize as plug 'n play. Have had no problem with any of the devices plugged in: keyboard, wireless mouse, fingerprint detector, cooling pad, et al. Can use Skype without a problem.
Cons: connecting iPhone to it does not open iTunes and syncing; cannot hear audio from any source while it is plugged in. If want to see YouTube video, play music on iTunes, play videos or listen to music locally using Windows Media Player must disconnect the port. That means that I lose keyboard, mouse and fingerprint device. Bummer!!!
To be fair, if I plug in headphones to the port replicator, I can hear the audio...but, I do not want to use headphones all the time. I work from home and I love to play music loudly while I work.
It may be an operating system problem I am experiencing. However, for the price, I had expected that I would be able to have complete use of the laptop functionality with the port replicator plugged in.

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Reduce desktop clutter and increase expansion for your HP or Compaq notebook with HP's Essential USB Port Replicator (model NK398AA). Connecting via one of your laptop's USB ports, the Port Replicator expands your peripheral reach to 5 USB ports and also includes an Ethernet port for connecting to your network as well as headphone and microphone jacks.

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Targus ACP50US Universal Notebook Docking Station with Video Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a TC1100 tablet PC which has a fairly small screen. The docking station that came with my tablet wasn't the right one, but I didn't give it a second thought because I never used the computer in a docking station environment. However, I have decided that I would like to set up my tablet with an extra LCD monitor that I have lying around. The docking station from HP is quite pricy, so I started searching and found the Targus universal docking station.
I read the other reviews about this product and went straight to the website to download the newest drivers instead of the using the drivers on the packaged CD. I installed the drivers BEFORE plugging in the docking station (this is required). Once the drivers were installed and the computer rebooted, I tried it out and . . .
was pleasently suprised. I am actually typing this review using the external monitor hooked up to the docking station. When starting programs and other things on the external monitor, there is a framerate drop, but once things get started and settled, the lag goes away.
I started up several different programs and was happy with the results until I opened a game that requires DirectX. It wouldn't start, giving me an error that said my video card did not support this.
I suspect the problem that other people were having with this docking station stems from the bit rate associated with USB 1.0 vs. 2.0. A video setup on an older computer probably had a 33MHz bus speed running 16 bits or about 528 Mbps. USB 1.0 is a mere 10 Mbps and USB 2.0 is roughly 400 Mbps. I don't know what the Targus docking station uses as far as bus speeds and bus width, but I would suspect the people that were having terrible lag were using USB 1.0.
Overall: This is a pretty cool and inovative device in that it can add a monitor and multiple ports to ANY laptop. There are some stipulations though. One is that you won't be using the emulated monitor to play DirectX games (I suspect movies might have problems also). Office applications, web browsing, and any other non-graphics intensive applications will work just fine. Two is that you will definately want to have USB 2.0. Three is to download the drivers off the Targus website and skip the packaged CD.
In the end I will probably return this product and just get a port replicator without video. I will just plug in the the port replicator and the monitor, instead of just a port replicator. That way I can take advantage of my video card built into my laptop instead of emulating a lesser video card it.

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Targus ACP50US Universal Notebook Docking Station - with Video

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Kensington sd100s Notebook Docking Station with Stand K60721US Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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Convert your laptop into a desktop instantly.Slip your notebook into the SmartFit stand, plug in a single USB cable, and you're ready to enjoy the ergonomics and productivity of a desktop. With the Kensington sd100s Notebook Docking Station, you can connect multiple peripherals to your notebook with just one plug.Plus you never have to shut down your notebook to connect the dock or change peripherals. The built-in copyholder positions documents in line with the screen for easier viewing, and the black translucent front cover allows you to operate your notebook multimedia IR remote.Designed with a unique wedge shape to raise your notebook and help promote cooling. The sd100s offers five nicely spaced USB 2.0 ports to allow you to connect multiple USB devices such as a printer, external hard drive, or ipod to your notebook computer.The USB ports are always-on, meaning they are powered even when your notebook is turned off or disconnected, so you can charge your iPod or Smartphone even when you're not working.Kensington limited 18 month warranty.

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