Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator Review

I was recently issued a new Dell Latitude D620 laptop computer at work, which I use at my desk and on the road. When I'm in the office (which is almost all the time), I press the Latitude D620 into a Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator. The D-Dock is a docking station for the laptop, giving the computer more ports that increase its versatility.

The D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator has the part number of PR01X, and it sells on Dell's Web site for around $166. You may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere. Mine was issued to me by my employer when I got the new computer.

What it is

The D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator is a way to simplify connections to a Dell laptop computer. If you are constantly plugging and unplugging things into your computer, you're a good candidate for a docking station like the D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator. In my case, I was unplugging multiple USB devices and a power supply every day, and using the docking station eliminated most of the plugging and unplugging.

The D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator has a big connector that mates with a connector on the bottom of the laptop. If your laptop computer doesn't have this big connector, then you can't use this type of docking station. For a better idea of the shape of the D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator and it's connectors, click on the pictures at the top-right of this review. The primary advantages of this Dell docking station for me is that it lets the computer connect to a DVI monitor, and it contains additional USB 2.0 ports. It's my experience that you can never have too many USB ports.

The Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator works with many different Dell laptops, including the Latitude D600, D610, D620, D630N, D631 and D631N. Most are Latitude models but this docking station also works with some of Dell's "Precision" laptops. Check Dell's Web site for compatibility.

Using it

Using the Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator is literally a snap. I line my D620 laptop computer up over the docking station, and press gently but firmly down. Lining it up is a little tricky and it would be nice if Dell had some markings on the laptop and docking station to help align things. The computer snaps into the docking station with a telltale click. Releasing it takes a press on the big button at the back right. Once snapped into the D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator, I can turn my computer on by pressing either the on/off button on the computer or the on/off button on the D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator.

You can see my office set up in one of the attached pictures. I do not use an external monitor (at least not yet) but I really appreciate that the D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator has a DVI port. In my experience, using a DVI connection makes for the sharpest possible display -- it's much better than using a VGA connection. If I get an external monitor, I plan to get a monitor with a DVI connector.

The Dell Latitude D620 laptop computer has four USB 2.0 ports, which is pretty good for a smaller laptop. Although the Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator adds four USB ports, it blocks two of the USB ports that are on the computer. Therefore, the net gain of USB ports when using the D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator is two. I have not yet needed to use more than six at once but I have had five things plugged in at once: mouse, keyboard, external hard drive, thumb drive and digital camera card reader. It's not out of the question to plug in another external hard drive, then I'd be full. As I said... you can never have too many USB ports.

Everything has worked fine with my Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator and it has not given me a moment's trouble. I just wish it didn't block two of the laptop's USB ports.

Summary

For $166, the Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator is a little pricey. If you can get it for less (and I saw prices as low as $33 on Amazon), it could be a must-have accessory.Mine has worked perfectly and it really simplifies using a Dell laptop in an office setting.

I recommend the Dell D-Dock Advanced Port Replicator.