Re: OT: Questions about (buying and) using a laptop docking station

[rhkramer@gmail.com]

On Monday, March 16, 2020 11:22:20 AM Dan Ritter wrote:
> Stefan Monnier wrote:
> > > You could get a USB hub that could connect some peripherals --
> > > keyboard, mouse, printer, USB sticks...  but nothing that will
> > > handle video or power connections.
> > > The generic laptop docks rely on high-bandwidth, high-power USB3
> > > ports, and laptop support for alternate video modes sent over
> > > the USB3 ports.
> > 
> > AFAIK they would still work over USB2.  There might be performance
> > issues with the video, but USB2 is definitely sufficient for some video
> > (as evidenced by the USB2 based video cards from DisplayLink).
> 
> Only DisplayLink adapters have that. All the current crop rely
> on USB3 Alternate Video Mode, which carries through DisplayPort
> (not DisplayLink) signalling generated by the laptop.

Thanks for the reply!  I suppose I'll learn more than I want to over the next 
few months as I try to get the Wavlink to work. ;-)  (Not sure if it will need 
any of Display Link, Display Port, or Alternate Video mode, or any other new 
to me technology, but I'm sure I'll find out. ;-))

Fortunately (well, the silver lining in the very dark cloud is that) there 
probably won't be very many meetings (if any) that I'll want to take the 
laptop to.

(As of 8pm tonight, my area is in a mandatory stay at home order (except for 
health or safety reasons or essential jobs).  Should be interesting.)

Stay healthy!