<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 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 lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><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?<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Many Thanks,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">Fred Miller Jr<u></u><u></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">IT Service Manager<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">Auglaize County Public District Library System<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">p: <a href="tel:419-738-2921%20ext.%201011" value="+14197382921" target="_blank">419-738-2921 ext. 1011</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">f: <a href="tel:419-738-5168" value="+14197385168" target="_blank">419-738-5168</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">w: <a href="http://www.auglaize.oplin.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.auglaize.oplin.org</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size:12.0pt"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#0322bd"><a href="http://auglaize.oplin.org/" target="_blank">Visit our Library Website!</a><u></u><u></u></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div></div><br>_______________________________________________<br>
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