Use a notebook like a desktop? Why not!
Pros:
Allows you to connect a ton of devices with a single connector
Cons:
A little pricey from Dell, but can be bought cheap on eBay
The Bottom Line:
If you've got a bunch of stuff plugged into your notebook, go for it!
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
The Dell D-Port replicator (not to be confused with the full dock) is a great accessory to any D-series notebook. Here's a quick rundown of the ports:
Headphone/stereo jack
D-Bay compatible USB Port
(3) USB ports
S/PDIF sound output
(2) PS/2 ports for keyboard/mouse
Serial port
VGA port
Parallel port
DVI port
S-video port
Network port
Modem port
AC adapter port
So what's the purpose for this thing? Simple: you connect everything at your desk such as your mouse and keyboard, monitor(s), printer, tablet, TV, network, modem, or even home theater equipment. Why bother? Because that way when you need to pick up your notebook and walk away, all you need to do is undock (either via your OS, or the button on the D-Port) or power-down and walk away. You don't need to unhook everything, only to plug it all back in when you come back, you just walk away!
This is extremely advantageous in that you can have everything in your office attached, and when you need to take a walk, you can just go. At work I've got two monitors, a pair of speakers, an external hard drive, and my keyboard and mouse all hooked up to the D-Port. When I need to go to a meeting, I undock, and when I get to the conference room I can just walk away. Additionally, because the D-Port comes with an AC adapter (the 90w model is needed) you can keep the AC adapter for your notebook in your bag, and not need to wrap it up and keep moving it back and forth. At home, I have a dock with an external mouse and network cable hooked up, not because I really NEED to, but because it's extremely convenient for when I've got to run I don't need to unhook everything.
I set up a D630 notebook on a D-Port, and really without it, she'd be in a world of trouble. She has two monitors (VGA and DVI), a network cable, an old printer (parallel port), a tablet (serial port), a set of speakers, and every one of the USB ports occupied. That's TEN cables (including the AC adapter) that she would need to unhook each and every time that she moves her notebook.
At the end of the day, whether you need this port replicator or not is a matter of convenience. If you use everything on the notebook and just hook up the AC adapter, then you probably don't need to worry about it. Throw in a mouse and keyboard and you're getting a little closer. Add on an external monitor and network cable, and I'd say you've got a case for it.
