New mini-dock and the W520 [ Edited ]

[SSDee]

Look at the specs for the new 433835 mini-dock:

433835U mini dock

Has anyone tried this dock with the W520? I want to know 2 things before "upgrading":

This shows that the W520 will have access to the USB 3.0 port on the dock. Does it?

It also claims:

"Mini Dock Plus (90W & 170W): 1x VGA, 2x DVI, 2x DP

Many systems allow for two of these video ports to be used simultaneously. Select systems, including those with NVIDIA Optimus technology, allow for up to three video ports on the dock to be used simultaneously."  

Does this mean the W520 can drive three monitors from this dock?

        Thanks.

[harrisb · Accepted solution]

The USB 3.0 port replaces the eSata port on the previous docking station and can be accessed when the W520 is docked through the docking station port (there is only 1 USB 3.0 port). The number of monitors that can be driven by the W520 do not change with the new dock. That limitation is in the particular usage of the NVIDIA chipset on the W520. The W530 can drive 4 monitors.

[christopherlang]

I have the previous version dock. Lol I can't believe they dropped the eSata port for a single USB 3.0 port. Wth? All those USB 2.0 ports on this thing taking space lol. And the new one drops the eSata port. Cheap cheap lol.

Aren't our w520 supposed to be eSATAp (USB 3.0) aka eSATA USB Hybrid Port (EUHP) aka ... ?

and you use something like this cable: 3FT Power over eSATA USB 2.0 combo M to Esata + MINI USB 5pin + DC 3.5 Cable 1M if you wanted the USB? and you can still hang a drive off of the thing.

Wth with the 'improved' dock? Or do I get to find out this doesn't work anyway in my dock when I try it? 10$ cable too lol. Wow. Oh ok, USB 2.0/eSATA port for the W520. Would still rather have eSata myself, w/USB 3.0 and my disappointment now includes the w520 for having only a USB 2.0 eSATAp port. Cheap. Not very forward thinking to me either.

I am really starting to wonder what's the point of a mobile workstation when I'm still dealing with typical laptop crap (crippled CPU features/BIOS,differing memory supported than cpu/chipset support, having to worry about stuff like this along with all the usual laptop concerns one might have... and basic IO options too it seems with stuff like this post), should have just bought a desktop or at least continued to look at HP's mobile workstations.

[SSDee]

Thanks for letting me know about the eSATA port. What a crummy deal.

[christopherlang]

Heh Crummy for sure. YW

Why oh why did I go Lenovo... When I read stuff like this.

[harrisb]

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christopherlang wrote:

I have the previous version dock. Lol I can't believe they dropped the eSata port for a single USB 3.0 port. Wth? All those USB 2.0 ports on this thing taking space lol. And the new one drops the eSata port. Cheap cheap lol.

Aren't our w520 supposed to be eSATAp (USB 3.0) aka eSATA USB Hybrid Port (EUHP) aka ... ?

and you use something like this cable: 3FT Power over eSATA USB 2.0 combo M to Esata + MINI USB 5pin + DC 3.5 Cable 1M if you wanted the USB? and you can still hang a drive off of the thing.

Wth with the 'improved' dock? Or do I get to find out this doesn't work anyway in my dock when I try it? 10$ cable too lol. Wow. Oh ok, USB 2.0/eSATA port for the W520. Would still rather have eSata myself, w/USB 3.0 and my disappointment now includes the w520 for having only a USB 2.0 eSATAp port. Cheap. Not very forward thinking to me either.

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I suppose that the rationale was that the eSATA port was only SATA-II (3gbs) vs. the USB 3.0 port at 5gbs. The laptop could only support two eSata drives and could not be extended to a hub because the chipset didn't enumerate more drives. The USB 3.0 port can be extended to a hub for additional connections albeit at an aggregated 5gbs rate. The USB 2.0 eSATAp on the notebook is a powered connection. However, the eSATA port on the docking station is NOT powered.

People can always add eSata ports through an ExpressCard option for example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839150022

In the meanwhile, I'd stop stressing over how technology products continue to evolve.There will always be market-driven tradeoffs which may not appeal to some set of users. For example, I recently ordered another W520 (plus the 433830U Dock) with the full knowledge of the incremental changes on the W530 and the new dock. The deal that I got was too hard to ignore.

YMMV

[SSDee]

Yes, Harris, you are quite right about the USB 3.0 hub. I was thinking the same thing. The point you make about 5gbs aggregated is the concern.

The problem is, as you rightly point out, is price. Let's add it up:

New USB 3.0 dock         $230

USB 3.0 hub                  $  40

USB to eSATA adapter   $ 20

For $230, you figure Lenovo could throw in an eSATA or at least 2 USB 3.0 ports.

         It's getting a little too pricey for what it is. I think I'll stick with the old dock for now. I can handle plugging and unplugging my Targus USB 3.0 dual graphics adapter. Otherwise I'll end up plugging and unplugging my eSATA hard drive.

[christopherlang]

Ah well nothing is ever straightforward lol. Heh I also want to future proof to the extent I can. Guess I'm not an ideal notebook customer lol (though I have bought two of the things in the past 3 years). The dock really needs to be updated, seems like dropping things like eSata ports for USB ports isn't forward movement to me but hey. I'm not buying one of those new docks either. Glad I have the older one. There is too much BS with these things, too much laptop crap to sift through. Should of just got a desktop.

[ThorsHammer]

In my experience, the eSATAp cable and port is far faster than any USB 3.0 conbination I could come up with.  I tested several USB 3.0 enclosures and a small array of HDD and SSD drives in my collection.

Dropping eSATA and eSATAp is a big bummer in my mind.

I fully expect I'll never sell my T420 for this reason and like HarrisB, haven't completely ruled out buying a new W520.  I also have a killer deal sitting in front of me.

[christopherlang]

Yeah., doing away with an eSata port for a USB port. Sheesh. All backwards to me. Heh evolution or devolution. I wonder sometimes. Highlevel for me is that USB ports are mainly still for 'toys' anyway.