Re:Bye Bye Linux (Ubuntu), Hi Again Windows
by Tichy on Tuesday September 01, 2009 @03:12PM
(#798644)
Most of those problems went away with the arrival of USB hubs. Granted, I still plug more cables than you do (monitor, sometimes audio). But I think for audio a USB solution could be found, too, then I would be down to three cables (monitor, usb hub, power). Sure, docking station is a bit faster, but it is also much uglier (most of the time). I guess it depends on how often you move around with your notebook.
I always work with an external monitor at home, but I use my notebook's keyboard. Atm I also only bother to plug in audio when I need it - I admit audio is a sore point, but when I have time, I'll try to find some wireless solution.
Re:Bye Bye Linux (Ubuntu), Hi Again Windows
by bmelton on Tuesday September 01, 2009 @04:03PM
(#798767)
I suppose that's true, but then I'd still have to plug in a USB cable even. I guess I just really like the idea of not having to plug in ANYTHING.
If I'm away from the docking station, I mumble curse words when I have to plug in so much as an ethernet cable.
The way my desk area is set up is I guess a vastly different use case from yours. My laptop is primarily mobile -- I take it to work, work from coffee shops, the couch, etc., but when I want to do something that I need need more of a desktop setting for (I can't do image editing on the couch, or without a mouse, or without a large screen usually) I just plug the laptop into the docking station.
The docking station is connected to an external hard drive for backups, speakers for sound, external monitor, keyboard, mouse, power cable, Line 6 Pod XT guitar pedal and mixing board.
It allows me the flexibility of having a convenient desktop setup while still maintaining the portability I bought a laptop for. I'm surprised more people don't use it, as it seems like the edge case here instead of the norm.