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he Dell Latitude C-series notebooks ("C" is for
"Corporate"?) accept the C/DockII docking station. These notebooks
have been getting good reviews. For example, in August 1999 the Dell
Latitude CPt C400GT was a PC Magazine "Editors' Choice" for
Mainstream Notebooks. In January 1999, the Dell Latitude CPi A366XT was #2
on PC World's list of top five Power Notebooks (the Gateway
Solo 9300LS was #1).
Fits two QM2000 boards
The photo below shows two QM2000 boards installed into the PCI slots in a
C/Dock II. The two boards fit fine, with plenty of room. As you can see,
there is about 9 cm (3.5") of empty space between the end of each QM2000, and the wall of the expansion card area.
Incidentally, Dell originally
sent us a C/Port II. Dell's order form clearly stated C/Dock II, so the
error was in the picking/shipping process. Be sure you get the right system
sent to you!
Specifications
The C/Dock II is the smallest and lightest docking station we've seen
that can take two PCI cards. The main part of the C/Dock II (left side in
photo) is 35.5 cm (14") wide, 23.5 cm (9.25") deep and 10.9 cm
(4.3") high. This is perhaps only 50% larger than the Gateway
Solo 9300 single-card docking station.
Unfortunately, there is a flat
extension attached to the front (right side in photo). This holds the
notebook's base. This extension measures 42 cm (16.5") wide by 24 cm
(9.5") deep.
The C/Dock II total size is
therefore 42.0 cm (16.5") wide, 47.0 cm (18.5") deep and 10.9 cm
(4.3"). This is roughly the same area as a large docking station such
as the IBM SelectaDock III; and the SelectaDock
III can take three PCI cards.
The C/Dock II weight is 4.1 kg (9.0 lb).
The price as of January 2000 is $650.
For more information
For more detailed information, Dell has the "Dell Latitude
C/Dock II Expansion Station User's Guide" online. There is also a nice
drawing of the
PCI expansion card slot.
The information below is Dell's specifications, taken from
a page at their website as of January 11 2000.
DELL DOCKING
Make More Out of Your
Notebook
Both Latitude docking
products combine the flexibility and mobility of a notebook with the
functionality and manageability of today's network desktop PC. Both the
C/Dock II and C/Port II provide a choice of PCI-based docking solution with
integrated high-speed EtherLink 10/100 Mbps.
Latitudeฎ C/Dock II Docking Station
Dell offers desktop capabilities with the new C/Dock II and provides
additional security, support for systems management, and maintains forward
and backward Latitude compatibility with all Latitude C-Family notebooks.
Desktop Capabilities
New integrated 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet connection with Wake-up On LAN and
remote boot capabilities Two 3.3v and 5v PCI expansion slots for added
desktop expansion Monitor stands adds flexibility and supports up to a
21"(V.I.S. 19.8") external monitor New user interface
provides easy to access eject and locking mechanism.
Enhanced Security
One-step locking mechanism secures the security slot enabled Latitude
notebook to the docking system.
Systems Management Support
PCI slots enables Wake-up On LAN (WuOL) support when utilizing a WuOL PCI
card Integrated 10/100 Base-TX connection also enables pre-boot
execution.
Latitude C-Family Compatibility
Forward and backward compatible with all Latitude C-Family
notebooks Standard I/O ports - serial, parallel, video, PS/2 style
mouse, PS/2 style keyboard, two USB, IrDA, SCSI-2, and audio ports The
C/Dock II conveniently accepts the media bay devices of the Latitude
C-Family notebook, including CD-ROM, FDD, DVD, 2nd HDD and LS-120 (click
here for more information).
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