Home > Consumer Reviews > Cables To Go 28652 USB 2.0 Laptop Docking Station with Video (Black)
Cables To Go 28652 USB 2.0 Laptop Docking Station with Video (Black)
See it at Amazon.com for $60.00Average Customer Rating
(4.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + ShareIt's an okay product
(3 out of 5) by Aileen Warner on Dec 3, 2009This product advertised to use one USB cable to connect laptop to all devices. Not true. In order for video to work, there is an additional cable. It works okay after a call to tech services. Not impressed, but will keep because too much hassle to send back.
Works well initially, with compromises, then the problems
(2 out of 5) by D. Lin on Nov 20, 2009 (San Francisco)I use my new Cables To Go 28652 Docking station at home on a personal Dell XPS, and a work HP Elitebook 6930p. Both running Vista 32 bit. Connected to Viewsonic large LCD screen, Dell keyboard and Logitech mouse.
Pros:
everything connected to it works perfectly.
universal design.
price.
Cons:
no mic/head phone jacks. the workaround is to plug to the computer, or try a audio usb adapter but i'm cautiously optimistic on the sound reproduction.
Improveables (wish list):
1. more USB ports would be useful. the 3 built-ins for me are occupied by an external hard-drive and a multi function printer, leaving only one open for now (may get used to address the con though).
if you need more, you'll need usb extender or connect the components directly to the laptop. I like the solution HP offers the most which i use at work. It is a snap-in design that does it all in one step, though it is a dedicated design for specific HP models only. another option is to go wireless on some of this...hmmm.
2. industrial design. the way this docking station situates is more aptly described as just sort of hanging on the desk, next to the external monitor and behind the laptop. as opposed to securely sitting in position - leading to a messy display of the exposed cables.
3. ethernet connection setup could be easier. it is not plug & play. though i am happy with the wireless, the plug-in comes in handy when needed.
Not sure:
how it will work with Windows 7. though I'm not worried because of the current positive experience.
Finally, for me the pros outweigh the improveables and cons, so Cables To Go stays :)
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edit (11.23.09), changed from 4 stars to 2:
couple days into using the purchase and it has developed an external keyboard and mouse problem. every few minutes it will freeze for 10 to 20 seconds. this does not happen with the laptop(s) keys/mouse. i will troubleshoot and update on finding.
after talking to the Cables to go tech support twice, which were courteous and prompt, it is determined to be the docking station hardware issue. I will do a return. what i learned in this is that since I've plugged and unplugged the peripherals so many times, the process does not seem so bad as plugging directly to the laptop ensures perfect working order. i am ordering a usb extender to take care of all except for sound and the external monitor - that should be a reliable and inexpensive solution. In the future i plan to get laptops from manufacturers that make proprietary docking stations. i think HP, Levono and Apple are strong in that.
Pros:
everything connected to it works perfectly.
universal design.
price.
Cons:
no mic/head phone jacks. the workaround is to plug to the computer, or try a audio usb adapter but i'm cautiously optimistic on the sound reproduction.
Improveables (wish list):
1. more USB ports would be useful. the 3 built-ins for me are occupied by an external hard-drive and a multi function printer, leaving only one open for now (may get used to address the con though).
if you need more, you'll need usb extender or connect the components directly to the laptop. I like the solution HP offers the most which i use at work. It is a snap-in design that does it all in one step, though it is a dedicated design for specific HP models only. another option is to go wireless on some of this...hmmm.
2. industrial design. the way this docking station situates is more aptly described as just sort of hanging on the desk, next to the external monitor and behind the laptop. as opposed to securely sitting in position - leading to a messy display of the exposed cables.
3. ethernet connection setup could be easier. it is not plug & play. though i am happy with the wireless, the plug-in comes in handy when needed.
Not sure:
how it will work with Windows 7. though I'm not worried because of the current positive experience.
Finally, for me the pros outweigh the improveables and cons, so Cables To Go stays :)
------------
edit (11.23.09), changed from 4 stars to 2:
couple days into using the purchase and it has developed an external keyboard and mouse problem. every few minutes it will freeze for 10 to 20 seconds. this does not happen with the laptop(s) keys/mouse. i will troubleshoot and update on finding.
after talking to the Cables to go tech support twice, which were courteous and prompt, it is determined to be the docking station hardware issue. I will do a return. what i learned in this is that since I've plugged and unplugged the peripherals so many times, the process does not seem so bad as plugging directly to the laptop ensures perfect working order. i am ordering a usb extender to take care of all except for sound and the external monitor - that should be a reliable and inexpensive solution. In the future i plan to get laptops from manufacturers that make proprietary docking stations. i think HP, Levono and Apple are strong in that.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Poor Performance
(1 out of 5) by caroler on Nov 9, 2009 (nc)The system constantly disconnects during use. Have to reboot for the system to function.
Great product
(5 out of 5) by Integrated Technologies on Nov 5, 2009 (Ft Myers Fl)Great Product, makes Laptop a workstation. Received it fast and have had no problems with it. I am very satisfied.
More useable laptop.
(4 out of 5) by Patty on Sep 1, 2009 (Portland, OR)The docking station has lots of ports and I still have some leftover. It will definitely suit the purpose that I wanted it for. I wanted to be able to use my keyboard and mouse and have a larger screen when I was at home; then easily disconnected the laptop and take it with us when we travel.