3 Laptop & related questions

markg2 · 12 Jun 2021

Questions are related to possible use of a (pending) Lenovo, thin laptop instead of current Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop machine--

1. Problem: Not enough USB ports. I've consistently had not great success with port extenders. I haven't cheaped out--used Anker products. After a number of months use either ports will 'disappear' or seemingly not have enough power or... Is this problem my bad luck, a fact of life with extenders, the brand, the number of USB ports (~7) on the extender? One of the USB ports would be used for an external (image backup) drive.

2. Problem: 'If' the laptop were to be closed and a keyboard placed on top, apart from the obvious having the wrist too high off the desktop (though I've seen angled wrist rests), is there any reason not to just leave the machine on and only lift the lid for a hard boot?

3. Alternatively, assuming one edge of the laptop did not have cable attachments, is there any reason not to have the machine (again) closed but on an edge out of the way allowing for more desktop real estate?

Mark

EdTittel · 12 Jun 2021

If the laptop has a USB 3.1 Gen1 or 2/Thunderbolt port via USB-C you can use an externally powered Thunderbolt dock with good results. I've used models from Belkin and Lenovo with good results on newer Lenovos here in my office (including X380, X390, X1 Nano, X1 Extreme, and just yesterday a new X1 Yoga Gen 6). A decent Thunderbolt dock costs US$150-200, though, but usually offers 2 or more USB-C, an equal number of USB A, 1 or 2 video ports, power/recharge, audio and often also GbE wired LAN connection.
HTH,
--Ed--

PS: See this Wirecutter Story (NY Times) for good recommendations: The 4 Best Thunderbolt 3 Docks 2021 | Reviews by Wirecutter

badrobot · 12 Jun 2021

For item 1, make sure to use a powered USB hubs.

markg2 · 12 Jun 2021

Geez Ed, those docks are *huge. I'm fairly certain the only significant energy draw would be the HD. For other uses (a few flash-drives, keyboard maybe...) a regular ole USB 2.x or 3.x should work fine. Just from the image it appears the docks have darn near every imaginable port.

To clarify... the reason for such large docks would be the ability to handle an external drive?

And that an under $50 Belkin or Lenovo 4+ USB dock to handle the lower energy devices above would likely be just fine?

If so then maybe building her a Lenovo machine with (in addition to the primary solid state 500GB drive) a large mechanical 2nd drive for the images.

?

Mark

spunk · 12 Jun 2021

As stated, if using a USB Hub, make sure it has it's own power adapter.
Also as stated, if you want to leave your laptop lid closed, then you should get a Lenovo Docking station. The USB-C HDMI might be what you want. That way, you can use an external monitor, keyboard and mouse, much like a desktop computer. If you need portability, you can disconnect the laptop from the docking station and be on your way.

markg2 · 27 Jun 2021

spunk said:

As stated, if using a USB Hub, make sure it has it's own power adapter.
Also as stated, if you want to leave your laptop lid closed, then you should get a Lenovo Docking station. The USB-C HDMI might be what you want. That way, you can use an external monitor, keyboard and mouse, much like a desktop computer. If you need portability, you can disconnect the laptop from the docking station and be on your way.

I appreciate the summary restatement of Ed's comments--

I get it - almost.

If the laptop lid is closed and if connected to USB-C HDMI Lenovo dock... can you hard boot the laptop from a physical on/off dock station switch?

Mark

spunk · 27 Jun 2021

Yes! There should be a power button on the docking station. If the laptop is shut down when it is placed in the docking station, you press the power button on the docking station and it will also start the laptop. If, for some reason you need to do a hard shut down as opposed to a restart or a Shut Down inside Windows, you can press the power button on the docking station and it will shut down the docking station and the laptop.