Docking Station for Lenovo Thinkpad? Or cables?

[Londo]

I am planning to move from my older Dell Desktop computer to my new Lenovo Notepad as my day to day computer. I plan to buy a new Dell 23" monitor, keyboard and Mouse with which I will then plug into the Thinkpad. Good idea?

I thought I would be doing this by way of cables. Now I have discovered "Laptop Docking Stations" with prices up to around R2,500. Am I better off (well, not financially) going this route rather than cables? I am not going to be plugging in and out often. If I go with a docking station, can I have buying advice/recommendations.

If I go with cables - for monitor and keyboard - what type do I need? Will they both need to be USB-type at one end? Or both USB at both ends?

Thanks in advance for the advice and recommendations.

 

[ponder]

Might help if you told us the model of the thinkpad or are you at some generic solutions.

 

[Londo]

Might help if you told us the model of the thinkpad or are you at some generic solutions.

Lenovo L520 Notebook. Don't follow 2nd part of your post.

 

[webtailor]

you can get a Universal Docking Station. Basically all your extra connections remain plugged to the docking and when you want to connect the laptop, just plug one USB and everything comes alive. Important is that you must get the docking WITH VIDEO. Otherwise you can connect the screen separated. In sybaritic.co.za under Laptop/Accessories you can find some dockings with video.

Yesterday at a PNA shop in the east rand I saw this one http://mecer.co.za/mecer-usb-universal-docking-station/ for under R900.00 (on the "sale" lot. only one in stock).

 

[ponder]

For Lenovo models see http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail.page?LegacyDocID=MIGR-4TPJF4 make sure your model is listed in the column on the right hands side.