Regarding comments on the FlexDock, I'm not sure

[davebrennan]

Regarding comments on the FlexDock, I'm not sure if this issue has been mentioned before, so I aplogize in advance for any redundancy.

My biggest problem with the Dock is that the wya it was desgned covers up too many of the ports. While the dock itself has ports along the back, it would often be much easier, in terms of convenience, to use the ports on the actual tablet when it's docked. I'm thinking of things such as USB key drives, headphones, etc. Then there's the whole issue of one speaker being covered when docked - it's tough to get stereo sound when one speaker is muffled. For some reason, the only port Motion decided to leave off the dock, and thus provide access to, is the modem...(anyone have any data on how many TPC users frequently use the modem port?)

Now, not that I'd advocate voiding a warranty or potentially destroying an otherwise functional dockign station, but if one were to drill a few well-placed holes in the dock, you could essentially overcome these limitations. I don't see how it would weaken the actual structural integrity of the dock either. They already cut a whole in the plastic for the modem, how hard could it be to add a few more? The only question I have is if when the tablet is docked, do the ports on the tablet get disabled?

[Trev]

You mention of audio made me think of something nifty I did.

I run my desktop and my tablet side by side when I am at home. Here is the brilliant thing I am so proud of. I hooked up the headphone jack on the flexdock to the line-in on my sound card on my desktop. Now when I plug my tablet into the dock my sound runs through my sound card into my nice altec lansing speakers.

So now I share my speakers between both computers.

I also use ShareKMC so that I only use one keyboard and mouse between the two computers. Before it was much too crowded on my desk.

I don't know the answer to your final question though. I think that the port replicator would disable the other ports. I am basing this on analogy. If you plug in an external mic, the internal mic turns off. You plug in headphones, and the speakers turn off. The other ports might behave in the same way.

[tjh]

What is ShareKMC?

quote:Originally posted by Trev

You mention of audio made me think of something nifty I did.

I run my desktop and my tablet side by side when I am at home. Here is the brilliant thing I am so proud of. I hooked up the headphone jack on the flexdock to the line-in on my sound card on my desktop. Now when I plug my tablet into the dock my sound runs through my sound card into my nice altec lansing speakers.

So now I share my speakers between both computers.

I also use ShareKMC so that I only use one keyboard and mouse between the two computers. Before it was much too crowded on my desk.

I don't know the answer to your final question though. I think that the port replicator would disable the other ports. I am basing this on analogy. If you plug in an external mic, the internal mic turns off. You plug in headphones, and the speakers turn off. The other ports might behave in the same way.

[Trev]

http://www.tabletpcpost.com/modules....title=ShareKMC

Lets you share keyboard, mouse and clipboard (KMC) over a network. I just hit pausebreak on my keyboard and control shifts over to the other computer. Works great over a wireless network,

Basically it's a software version of a KVM switch.

[Alec]

Up for air, because I have the same question dave has. I'm none too happy that although the spec sheet https://www.motioncomputing.com/reso...ec_docking.pdf says the flexdock is USB 2.0, it is actually only 1.1! So, are the usb ports disabled when the tablet is docked?

Anyone?

Thanks

[paulrr]

Hi Alec,

The product design Spec lists the USB ports as being 2.0 where did you see 1.1?
All the ports are active via the rear of the FlexDock with one extra USB 2.0 port in front and a cut out for the modem port...

Paul

[aboo]

I have a spare flexdoc i'd sell for 150 if anyone wants to experiment... Please emial me if so...

[Trev]

The flexdock is just a replicator. I have an old flexdock from an m1200. The m1200 is usb 1.1, but if I put an m1300 or m1400 in my flexdock those ports become USB 2.0. I confirmed this with my little PNY thumbdrive. The green LED lights up on a usb 1.1 connection, but the orange LED lights on a usb 2.0 connection.

[Alec]

Paul-

The story that the flexdock is 1.1 came right from a motioncomputing tech support person. He said the flexdock design comes from the earlier models of the tablet that were only 1.1. Every time I plug in a peripheral is comes up with a message that says: "this device can perform faster ..." I'm thinking about returning the flexdock and just using the easel. I like the ease of the flexdoc, but if I can't get the full speed out of my peripherals, I'll do without it.

I hope Trev is right and someone can tell me about a setting that is not right, but as I said, the Tech support at motioncomputing did not seem to indicate that is the case, nor did he offer me any solutions other than to sat, "Yeah, it’s not 2.0."

[crpaulk]

I use my tablet beside my desktop also. However I use my Tablet for everything now. I use a 50 dollar Belkin KVM switch. This switch shares my wireless mouse keyboard, speaker system, and 21"LCD monitor. When I need my tablet on the go I just grab it from the flex dock and go. The only thing I do with my sony desktop is use the DVD burner and harddrive via the network. When my M1400VA 733 shows up later this month, I may dispose of the Sony altogether and just us an external DVD and Harddrive. I wish some one would create a DVD burner/hardrive combo that is network connected.[usa]

quote:Originally posted by Trev

You mention of audio made me think of something nifty I did.

I run my desktop and my tablet side by side when I am at home. Here is the brilliant thing I am so proud of. I hooked up the headphone jack on the flexdock to the line-in on my sound card on my desktop. Now when I plug my tablet into the dock my sound runs through my sound card into my nice altec lansing speakers.

So now I share my speakers between both computers.

I also use ShareKMC so that I only use one keyboard and mouse between the two computers. Before it was much too crowded on my desk.

I don't know the answer to your final question though. I think that the port replicator would disable the other ports. I am basing this on analogy. If you plug in an external mic, the internal mic turns off. You plug in headphones, and the speakers turn off. The other ports might behave in the same way.