With weight being an ever increasing factor, notebook designers cut whatever possible from the main unit, then they charge an extortionate amount for a docking station to allow previously allowed functionality.
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To use this docking station you need one thing a USB port. To use it at full speed it needs to be a USB2 port. What you get on this docking station is 2 USB2 ports, PS2 ports for keyboard and mouse, a serial and a parallel port and finally an Ethernet port.
All this means your notebook can travel with you for minimal weight and when you reach your home or office the docking station can be plugged in to give you all the functionality of a desktop PC.
This is the only non proprietary docking station with Ethernet and thus the wired lan and you are available whenever your notebook is docked. It is 17.5x6x2.5cm.
The unit comes with a power block with UK plug (model number 1500120) however for some reason this model does not appear on http://uk.kensingtoneurope.com site at present. However I found it as model number 33055 on the USA site URL at the end and although the US price is a mighty $146.95, however the US site has a buy comparison with a number of other online retailers and www.buy.com have it for $84.99, with the current exchange rate I make that around £48, yes you will have Postage and Packing and possibly even import duty to pay buy remember when you purchase your next notebook the docking station will still work providing it has a single USB port.
In use I found the unit responsive and really did not notice that I was using devices connected through the docking station and a USB lead. The required USB2 lead is provided in the product so it is just plug it in and go.
No doubt in years to come lots of other manufacturers will back manufacture the technology within the Kensington unit. For the moment if you want a docking station that works with any notebook with a USB port (remember you need USB2 for full speed) the Kensington Universal Docking Station UK model number 1500120 is the only solution.
One word of caution should you buy from the US then you may find technical support unavailable in the UK and of course the power supply would have a US plug on it. However as I was sent the unit from the UK with the UK power adapter I suspect that it will shortly be available.
Link to US Site :http://www.kensington.com/html/3721.html
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