I’ve got a Lenovo T60 laptop, and somebody is throwing out a pile of old docking stations intended for various Dell models. I’d like to start using my laptop with a docking station to save wear on the various connectors.
Are docking stations in general interchangeable? What are the potential problems or risks? At first glance, they use the same big connector on the bottom of the laptop.
I doubt they are interchangeable. I know that Dell uses several different connector configurations just by themselves.
The majority of docking stations are made specifically for laptop makes and models so they are not interchangeable. Now, there are some generic docking stations that connect via USB port. Those can be used with any laptop have a USB post.
As I say in the OP, the connector appears, at first glance, to be mechanically the same. Is it a question of the pin assignments on the connector, or something?
Don’t know, but I would look very closely at the connector. You will probably find a difference in guide pins or shape or such.
I’d say they’re not at all interchangeable. As **Rick ** said, Dell uses a variety of configurations, and IBM/Lenovo also has a handful of arrangements.
I see now that the location of the connector isn’t suitable. It’s position in the plane of the table, if you will, doesn’t match my laptop, so the structure at the back of the docking station which houses all the outbound connectors would be in the way if I tried to sit my laptop down on it.
And I see, in the rest of the box of old docking stations, that Dell does indeed use a variety of connectors.
I’d grab the box of docks and sell them on eBay. Then use the proceeds to buy the correct one for your laptop off eBay.
Effectively free, just a little more trouble.