Question 1

will this docking station work with the laptop being closed, or needs to be open all the time 
i want to used with an external monitor so don't need the laptop monitor?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the dock will work with your laptop lid closed.  You will need to make sure that you change the power settings on your laptop so that it stays awake when the lid is closed.

Question 2

Will this work as a true docking station (i.e., charge my laptop) with a Dell Inspiron 15 5000 series laptop? Dell's so-called docking station does NOT power the laptop. Thanks...

p.s. I'm not very computer savvy, so please don't give me highly technical information that I won't be able to interpret!

Accepted Answer

Hi Donna,
  When it says "with power", it's because Targus includes a cable that connects from the docking station to the same port on your laptop as your Dell power cord.  So yes, with that cable connected, your laptop will charge.  These Targus units are one of the best aftermarket options, especially the power feature.  I've installed at least 50 for my corporate clients.  Hope this helps.  Just make sure you follow the instructions carefully to connect the power in and out cables and you'll be all set.

Question 3

Can you split the DVI to support 2 monitors, then DHMI out for a 3rd?  My laptop's graphics card supports 3 displays and I already hook 2 monitors up and keep the laptop screen open as a 3rd screen but would prefer to close the laptop lid and push to 3 monitors.

Accepted Answer

I'm sorry, but I do not know the answer to this. My Targus device supports my X1 Carbon ThinkPad and 1 monitor. By the way, I am satisfied with the Targus unit.

Question 4

Hello,

Will the adapter able to support two monitors plus the surface pro screen? That will make it three screens.

Accepted Answer

I am not sure. The one was bought for our director and she only has a laptop and one monitor. The Microsoft surface that he is talking about has different hookups so it probably won’t work. Garrett has a Microsoft surface and the docking port is completely different.

Question 5

I have a Toshiba laptop and my daughter has an hp laptop.  Can I use this docking station with either laptops?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. As long as the laptop is running Windows, everything works great. You will have to install the drivers off the included CD onto each laptop of course, but that's about it. There are power connectors included so you can easily swap laptops.

Question 6

Will I need additional external graphic cards in order to support additional monitors?

Accepted Answer

Not really sure, I'm running 1 monitor with just my laptop's HDMI, then 2 more with DVI and HDMI from the dock. I think it depends on how many monitors your laptop can handle because the dock makes my CPU idle around 12-15% instead of 1-5%. But you can easily get 2 monitors going from USB 3.0.

Question 7

Will this docking station work with the Sony Vaio SVP1321HGXBI my wife Karen Kovich bought me thru your website for Xmas?

Accepted Answer

It should work with _any_ laptop with a USB 3.0 port. I have firsthand experience with it working beautifully with a Sony Vaio SVP1321DCXS, including two external LCDs, Gigabit Ethernet, keyboard/mouse, EXCEPT there is no compatible power jack. I contacted Sony Support and they confirmed. No idea if they will ever produce a compatible power jack.  So you could get the Targus dock model without power, unless you might use the dock with other laptops.  Also, when the Sony laptop wakes from Sleep, sometimes the external LCDs do not come on. Turning off/on the dock gets it working.

Question 8

Is this device specific for laptops or can this be used for tablets or smart phones (android)? I am looking for some docking station for a smartphone that can be used to connect to a monitor, keyboard, mouse....

Accepted Answer

Although I haven't connected it to a smartphone, I would bet big money that you couldn't use it. Although I think technically, the peripherals could connect it (it's really only a usb 3.0 connection), Targus has been known to have poor drivers - and if they don't list it, it isn't going to work.

Question 9

Would this be compatible with a new Dell XPS laptop?  I'm specifically concerned about it providing power to the laptop.  Thank you.

Accepted Answer

Check the specs.  The issue on power is voltage, wattage and connector.  Targus has all the details on their site.  I think it's 19.5 volts and 90 watts.  I can't speak to the XPS verses Lattitude connector, but this fits a lattitude.

So if your existing PS puts out 19.5 volts DC at less than 90 watts AND Targus says a matching connector is included (there are several in the box to choose from), it should work.

On thing to also check is that you have USB 3.0 ports.  I really messed up a Windows 7 PC that had USB 2.0 only when trying to install this.  I have to reinstall the OS to correct the problem.  Don't buy this for a USB2.0 laptop.  Buy the USB 2.0 version.

Question 10

will this work if you do not have a usb 3 port?  I only have USB 2 ports on my laptop.  Thnaks

Accepted Answer

The dock should be compatible with USB 2.0, however without the bandwidth of USB 3.0, I would expect the video performance to be poor.

Questions & Answers