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It's Not Just A Docking Station Anymore
Posted by marco chiappetta in Notebook PC | Jul. 26, 2009 5:00 PM
The vast majority of notebook docking stations have traditionally been nothing more than port replicators or breakout docks that give users the ability to quickly connect their portable computers to desktop-bound accessories, like keyboards, mice, and monitors. Sure, there have been some hybrid docking stations that have allowed for increased expansion options on some notebooks, but they are the exceptions, not the norm.
I think it's time for that to change. Notebook sales have been outpacing desktops for quite some time now, but that doesn't mean all of those notebook buyers have chosen a portable machine over a desktop. Some of them, perhaps most of them, bought a notebook as a compliment to a desktop PC. Regardless of the convenience of a notebook, for some there's just no substituting for a large screen, quality input devices, and 
the performance of a desktop PC. With that in mind, I think it's time to take the notebook docking station concept up a notch to better appease these users, and equip the devices with capabilities that can morph the notebook into something much more powerful, while also offering additional functionality to other PC users in the home (or office).
A number of current notebooks offer hybrid graphics subsystems that give users the ability to switch between low-power integrated graphics and higher-performing discreet solutions. The technology already exists to allow for switchable graphics, so why not integrate the higher-performing discreet graphics into a docking station--which will be connected to a larger screen--to allow for higher performance when connected? That way, when users are on the go, the notebook can benefit from the low-power IGP, but when home, users can enjoy the benefits of discreet graphics, for things like high-resolution gaming and video encoding. A design like this could also allow OEMs to produce a single notebook model that appeals to a broader range of consumers--users who don't need the discreet graphics or dock don't need to buy them. But users that want it all can opt for the whole enchilada and enjoy the benefits of a thinner and lighter notebook and a desktop replacement machine.
Due to the fact that docking stations usually stay in one place, the opportunity is also there to integrated other functionality, not historically associated with a dock. For example, why not integrate a hard drive and NAS functionality so that other users in the home or office can access and store files on the dock? There's no reason the docking station should offer benefits to just a single notebook alone. Integrating NAS functionality would allow an easy means to all users to share files without having to connect another device to the network. It could also be used to download files without the notebook being connected, or even host files so the mobile users could access them on the road.
There are a number of other interesting ideas that could also work as part of a notebook docking station, like wireless HDMI, for example. But that enough from me. What do you all think? What other features and functionality would you like to see integrated into a docking station? Now's the time to tell--Asus and Intel are listening.
Hi this is Moshe
Pleas look at my post.
Comments will be appreciated.
http://www.wepc.com/vote/view/dream/7362/William_Gibson_Cyberspace_Machine
There have already been some docking stations with built in video (like the EasiDock), but I think you definitely have the right idea.
I kind of do this to some extent by having my second monitor driven by a USB video card that always stays connected to the dock.
But as you said, why limit ourselves to video:
Since OS's and hardware are getting better and better at multi-processor/multi-core support, why not have a docking station that supports (upgradable) CPU cards? That way, we could have better performance at the desk.
I also wouldn't mind a dedicated hard drive in the dock that worked with the OS to resync to RAID1 mirroring once every week or so when docked. If your laptop gets totally fubared, just boot with a special disk and DD the backup onto the original drive.
Wasn't this one of the original features of the Puma platform? I remember reading stuff about a proprietary external interface the laptops would get for use with discrete graphics in docking stations. But this was well before Puma got into the wild. Then all news of it dried up and I don't remember hearing about this ever appearing in the wild.
Hope you take a look into these too:
http://www.wepc.com/vote/view/dream/6243/Pocket_Netbook___Eee_Go_Multiple_Docking_System
http://www.wepc.com/vote/view/dream/5812/Portable_Desktop_II___The_Gee_PC_Gaming_Rig
The idea is to have expansion options for a notebook/netbook built into the dock and also, for the netbook to be used as a sort of universal remote when interacting with wireless docks serving different purposes (gaming, home theater playback, in-car engine management system, etc.)
Life is sometimes amazing - about three weeks ago I thought of the exact same thing described in the main article - docking stations for laptops with discreet graphics cards.
Then I thought to myself "I wish I could speak to someone who could actually implement this." Then I happened onto the HotHardware link today and here's my idea already posted!
I thought of this when I looked at the Acer Timeline laptops that launched recently. I liked the idea of a slim laptop with a long battery life for mobile use, but I soon realized I would not be able to play anything resembling 3D games on it. The graphics card would also probably not allow the use of an additional high resolution screen.
To add a couple of thoughts of my own regarding this docking station setup:
1. This docking station idea can serve to increase the upgradeability of laptops. You no longer need to buy laptop + graphics card simultaneously, but can upgrade at will.
2. You will need a seperate power supply for the docking station if you're going to power a discreet graphics card. This could possibly also power your laptop while docked.
3. Whilst the motherboard design of the laptop will be interesting, the CPU on the laptop will probably be the limiting factor on the whole setup. In essence you want a powerful chip when the laptop is docked, but a low-wattage chip when it is running on batteries. There are obviously some chips more suited to these requirements, but perhaps things like underclocking and overclocking can play a role here. The docking station could perhaps be designed to better cool the laptop, thereby improving the headroom for overclocking.
That's just wrong--$100 to get a VGA output? Wow.
OEMs are definitely missing the boat with regard to docking stations. With a little "outside the box" thinking, they could add some great differentiating features.
Completely agree. A friend of mine bought an HP netbook and had to buy a $100 port replicator just to - get this - have a VGA out port. Amazing! I'm sure she would have spent ten times that if it let her do other things with it.