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Kensington Notebook Station USB 60109 

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This seems like a good idea, it’s a simple design, with a few ‘bells’ added, the only problem as with all good ideas, why did someone not think of it sooner, or maybe it’s not such a good idea?

In it’s simplest it’s a shaped piece of plastic that holds a notebook in an open position so you can use your notebook as a desktop system, well once you have switched it on you actually use the screen and maybe the CD/DVD apart from that for input you would then need a keyboard and a mouse these are not supplied.

 

With my own notebook I could use it’s two PS/2 ports to attach keyboard and mouse but should you only have one then USB can help as the ‘shaped piece of plastic’ has a four USB port hub fitted underneath and a cable to connect to one of your notebook ports.

 

The base of ‘shaped piece of plastic’ is a turntable to enable you to get to either side or the rear of your notebook easily. Behind your notebook – once slotted in – is a carrying handle and finally once the plastic has encircled your notebook the top doubles as a copyholder.

 

Now the bit I normally mention near the beginning the size, the blurb says it will accommodate any notebook up to a screen size of 17inches, the largest I have seen is one with 15.4inch display and it certainly held this securely.

 

The base is 28x29cm this wraps over itself in a shelf 28x32cm that the notebook sits on and then curls back again 28x22cm on top of the keyboard, this latter part is slightly concave to ensure it does not fowl any of the notebooks keys. Yes, not sure if I recognize it myself from the description, but have a look on the website (link at the end) and all will become clear.

 

The main point is that even if you move around with the unit and notebook in situ it’s held firmly by the design of the rubberised pads that sit in front of the notebooks keyboard.

 

All you are likely to plug in is your power lead/adapter and possible the supplied power lead for the supplied four port USB2 hub.

 

I do not in anyway doubt the clever design of the unit, my only doubt is why? Anyone who travels a lot needs a notebook, when they return to an office they often connect to a network and for this there is often a port replicator or docking station and indeed Kensington make one of these that works with almost any notebook and is certainly a lot cheaper than some manufacturers units. Often people have a keyboard and or mouse and as these cost not a lot these days so why not. The only saving made is the cost of a monitor or panel, by the time the unit sits on the desk there will be no real space saving as the notebook can be out of the way with a monitor whereas it needs to be on view when using it’s screen.

 

So it may save a little money, it is easy to use and the turntable could save a few back spasms, the hub is USB2, always useful but my doubts remain, if you only work in an office occasionally is it really a good saving? The likely price is around £49.

 

Link http://www.acco.co.uk/computer_products/product.asp?category=11&subsection=250&id=2057

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