How do you use your Ultrabase? As a Dock, or lug it around?

[avidin]

Hi, I am new to the Lenovo line and am drawn to the X61T for its ability to shed the optical drive/extra battery and leave them in the Ultrabase. So I am planning to basically use this as a docking station. Am I missing something here that wouldn't let this behave as a practical dock? Do most folks keep their Ultrabase attached when on the go?

Since I will often be at a desk, am opting for the SXGA+ so that I can drive the larger monitor at a higher resolution.

Also, does anyone use the X61T along with an external monitor, in dual-monitor mode? Not sure if this is the right term, but basically allows you to "stretch" your desktop, run some apps on the laptop screen, and some on the monitor screen. I've seen other laptops do this, but am curious if the X61T's GMA X3100 video card is capable of this.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[yggdrasil]

I use my Ultrabase as a dock. When I go to class i just take the computer out of the dock, without having to unplug any cables.

The dock increases the bulk substantially and it's a pain to unplug everything so I would only bring the dock with me if I really needed the DVD drive (which in practice is almost never).

Even if you get the XGA version of the X61 Tablet you will be able to drive a high-resolution monitor. The video hardware (GMA X3100) doesn't change between the SXGA+ and the XGA. That said, I highly recommend the SXGA+ screen.

You can definitely do a dual-monitor setup but I find the VGA output to be of a lower quality compared with a DVI connector. It's great for projectors and such but you might notice some blurriness on a high-resolution monitor.

[ygthb]

I use mine as a dock, attached to a 2nd flatpanel. There has been some discussion about not autoswitching between configs, but I find it easy enough to change the display settings. I run my flatpanel to the R of the docked tablet. Also on the dock I have my external wireless keyboard and mouse.

This works great for me.

[g2tl]

If you'll be mostly at your desk, I actually recommend the xga resolution.
That's because for those rare on-the-go moments, you may like the pure visibility of a xga screen, since you'll do most of your work at home again anyway. That's just me though. sxga+ on a 14in laptop was painful enough for me
I don't have a dock, but I have a usb hub that has everything but the monitor and the headphones attached ("Everything" being two external hdd's, dvd writer, and a tv tuner. I don't have a keyboard attached because I like x61t's keyboard. I don't have a mouse attached because I like x61t's trackpoint, unless I'm using photoshop).

So for me, I opted out the dock to save some cash.

[GateGuardian]

I use it as the dock. Taking the ultrabay with me really destroys the whole point of light/small/portability. I don't need extra usb ports or a DVD-ROM. In addition, it makes it so much easier that I don't have to unplug the AC adaptor, mouse, and headphones.

[ygthb]

I actually got the tablet a day before a business trip. I took the dock with me and found that it was a waste of weight on the road. I have been carrying a cd/dvd-less sony for many years and have gotten used to not having it. I suppose I could get away without the UB fairly easily, I just like being able to "dock" it and go.

I am thinking about mounting the UB in such a way that the tablet is tilted and I can use the ink, with the wireless KB. Docked in Tablet mode.

I would have gotten a slate if I diddnt need to travel so much, a KB is just a requirement.

[ivanhoe]

I use mine undocked while I'm in the field and redock it and carry the whole shooting match home at night in case I need the DVD or extra ports for playing around.

[jtenniswood]

I use my sxga tablet docked whilst at the desk, it saves the hassle of coming back and constaintly unplugging the laptop cables.

I use the tablet screen and drive a 27inch dell monitor at 1920x1080, and it's still really fast. I also use a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, together with a bluetooth stereo headphones, when I get back I just touch each one and they reconnect almost instantly.

[ygthb]

which Bt Keyboard and Mouse. I am interested in a similar setup

[avidin]

yggdrasil, excellent point about the video card governing external monitor resolution, not the tablet's display! Thanks to all for the great input. I ordered the X61T today and hope to use it as many of you have advised.