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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">I would give a +1 to what Chad said. <br>
<br>
To dock or not to dock is really more of an individual workflow
thing. For instance, I know anybody who has to do much work with
spreadsheets is going to want a numeric keypad, and the easiest
way to give them that is a usb keyboard. I also like the
simplicity for the staff, when they dock their laptop they plug in
one usb cable. Done. No need for a proprietary dock that becomes
obsolete in 3-5 years or a setup where they have to remember
multiple cables to plug in.. <br>
<br>
Best of luck.<br>
<br>
Joe<br>
<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">Joseph Knueven
Director
Germantown Public Library
51 N. Plum St.
Germantown, OH 45327
937-855-4001
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:knuevejo@oplin.org">knuevejo@oplin.org</a>
</pre>
On 10/23/2014 12:35 PM, Chad Neeper wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CAN0kP15=DTJU-uo-qECtD3B8baxEb4s0fFqmRo0eR4qFYeTLjg@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">My 2 cents:
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Only a couple of the libraries I work with have
library-owned laptops that are dedicated to staff. I have a
couple of directors that have their own personal laptops that
they use. However, speaking on my own behalf, I use a single
high-end desktop replacement laptop that goes with me when I'm
on-site. I also use it as my primary computer here in the
office. I've been using this same scenario for well over 10
years (not going to bother figuring it out beyond that) and I
find that having a docking station is incredibly
useful...mandatory even. I have, however, stopped using any
sort of docking solution that is unique to a particular laptop
or brand and have gone generic with a USB-based "docking
station". The solution works very well and doesn't need to get
replaced if I change laptops.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>You can buy (and I've used/liked) USB-based docking
stations, but six months or so ago I switched to just
running a 10-port USB3 hub. I now have everything plugged
into the hub: external USB->DVI displaylink converters
for my extra displays, USB->audio for my external
speakers, external USB->SATA hard drive, keyboard, a
couple of label printers, barcode scanner, etc. Just
plugging in the USB hub (or docking station) and power
definitely beats having to connect up everything directly to
the laptop every time, or just work using the laptop's
display/keyboard/etc.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Really, though, whether or not your staff need docking
stations really comes down to each staff member's workflow.
For me, it's mandatory. For someone else, however, perhaps
not so much. My suggestion: take a few minutes to talk to
the people you're getting laptops for to understand how they
are using (and how they <u>would like</u> to use) their
devices. Don't let what someone else considers passé guide
you!</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Chad<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all">
<div>______________________________<br>
<b>Chad Neeper</b><br>
<font size="1">Senior Systems Engineer</font><br>
<br>
<b>Level 9 Networks</b><br>
<font size="1">740-548-8070 (voice)<br>
866-214-6607 (fax)</font><br>
<br>
<font size="1"><i>Full LAN/WAN consulting services --
Specialized in libraries and schools</i></font><br>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Oct 23, 2014 at 11:44 AM, Fred
Miller Jr. <span dir="ltr"><<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:millerfr@oplin.org" target="_blank">millerfr@oplin.org</a>></span>
wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0
.8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" lang="EN-US">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Wanted
to reach out to everyone and see what my fellow IT
members are using to replace staff members laptops
that are using docking stations. Some people I have
talked to say docking stations are a thing of the
past, but our for our staff it is a great extension
when you have to take your laptop home. Thoughts?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Many
Thanks,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">Fred
Miller Jr</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">IT
Service Manager</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">Auglaize
County Public District Library System</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">p:
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="tel:419-738-2921%20ext.%201011"
value="+14197382921" target="_blank">419-738-2921
ext. 1011</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">f:
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="tel:419-738-5168"
value="+14197385168" target="_blank">419-738-5168</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">w:
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.auglaize.oplin.org"
target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.auglaize.oplin.org</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span
style="font-size:12.0pt"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span
style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0322bd"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://auglaize.oplin.org/"
target="_blank">Visit our Library Website!</a></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
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<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
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