Docking Station?

[mikez]

It is not a 'performance machine' by today's standards - nor was it $6,000.
I am impressed by both its small size and its performance for the price.

I run the LInux-VServer patch on a stock kernel -
The host context is running 64bit Gentoo -
One of the guest contexts is running 32bit Gentoo -
I can compile my way through an update with -j5 (five concurrent jobs) _each_
and still play streaming music, edit files, surf the web for info - -
Other guest contexts are running Debian 32bit distributions with QEMU
emulated RISC machines.

Only using 0.5G of ram - have never yet hit the swap file for any space.

Impressive for what is supposed to be a living room, media center, appliance.

[batitude]

I attempted to use Linux as my base OS, but had problems trying to keep VMWare running with updated Kernel builds and VMWare Server updates. I like Ubuntu as a optional boot on my Mini, or as a guest within VM to "play" with (and learn!).

I am running XP64bit on a Dell Dimension E520. It is a very quiet machine due to using a very large, slow cooling fan. Having 2 terabyte drives in it causes more noise, but since it is tucked down under my desk, I hardly notice.

I still think that using my mini to connect to the VMWare console on my "server", or RDP or Citrix to connect to other machines, or work servers, is really the best way I use my mini. It doesn't need the horsepower, just the connectivity. Now if only my eyes were good enough to read the small screen, I would be even happier! I really believe that the 10" screens will be a huge improvement, but I will have to wait until I can justify another new toy.

[mikez]

Ah, we come full circle here with my own story. . .
I have a NSLU-2 for a network storage device (running Debian armel) -
But that device does not have a keyboard/display -
So about 14 months ago I went looking for something light-weight to use as an
interface device (rather than fire up one of these monsters) -
Which lead me to buying an EeePC-701 (back when they where new) -
That in turn lead me into buying a couple other netbooks and writing about them -
- - - -
Fourteen months of my life I will never get back, but it was a fun 14 months.
- - - -
If I win the State Lottery (big) I want to setup a 20 box cluster of these Shuttle
breadboxes - not likely to happen - but I can dream.
At a half tetra-mips that will be pushing into super-computer land - on 4 bookshelves.
Just a dream for now.

[batitude]

Can you provide a link, or model that I can research the Shuttle a little? Just for learning, hopefully not enticing me to buy even more toys...

[mikez]

Sure:
http://global.shuttle.com/product_detail.jsp?PI=635
the sg33g5B is the "barebones" model -
not exactly bare, just needs drives, memory and cpu -
- - - -
Notes:
*) you don't need a 'boxed' cpu (which comes with a cooler) the box has its own.
I.E: an 'OEM' cpu (without cooler) is all you need - box will run the 45nm chips.

*) three internal SATA-II connectors - but only one cable in the kit - order a pair
of 18 inch SATA-II cables - be sure they are the 3.0Gbs SATA-II cables.

*) order some good thermal paste (Arctic Silver).

*) box includes an IDE and a Floppy cable if you need them.

*) box has two e-SATA-II connectors on the rear (that is a total of five), you
will need cables if using the external drive connectors (this box does do I/O ).

*) I am using PNY-PC2-6400 (800Mhz, dual-channel, matched pair)
They are fast enough for the 1333Mhz FSB - but you may want faster if over-clocking or using a faster processor than 2.5Ghz.

[roneygomes]

has anyone a model to refer??
has anyone tried hp options?

[roneygomes]

Anyone knows if these will work??

ACP60US | Targus ExpressCard™ Laptop Docking Station with Digital Video and Audio
http://www.targus.com/us/product_det...sp?sku=ACP60US

ACP45US | Targus Universal Docking Station w/ Digital Audio
http://www.targus.com/us/product_det...sp?sku=ACP45US

[mikez]

I have the ACP60US and do not have any trouble with it;
in either WinXP or Xubuntu.

[polocanada]

I tried many (Toshiba, Targus, Kensington and a no-name China-made)... All of them share the same Network card and Video card. It is a patent of a Taiwanese company. If you look into drivers of all the brands of portable USB docking stations you will see it is all same drivers. So it doesn't really matter which one you pick.

The Express Card versions of the above have advantage but some might be annoyed by the heavy cable sticking out of the Express port and difficult to easy plug in and out. On top of that, system running an Express card docking station needs heavier software and drivers required to operate the Express Card port.

If you have a serious 2nd monitor and you are serious about the quality of the video and computer speed, you just buy a laptop with HDMI (or older standard DVI) and connect it to monitor (supporting the above) directly. I recommend HDMI because it is easy to plug in and out like USB.

Back to the docks question... No you can't power laptop through docking station. You would need a lot of power. And he dock station would have to either have a universal adapter integrated or have a secondary universal adapter.

One concern with USB docking stations is that they tend to be under-powered itself. So if you attach too many USB cables, power hungry USB devices, USB hubs (unpowered not recommended) and then try to attach the docking station there are sometimes errors with unknown devices etc.. for video card or sound card in the docking station, they won't be activated and you can't use them until you unplug the dock again and re-attach. It all has to do with ports in the USB docking station competing against each other for power. But this is really only case if you have many USB peripherals attached, like 8 or more as in my case.

I saw this new model which Targus has ACP50US (came after the other 2 ones) and it has less ports to power so perhaps may have more power available for remaining ports. Now they list the USB ports with 1000mA. I am not ready to shell out another 100 bucks to compare this new model against the ACP45US but if somebody comes across both, please submit your thoughts.