Toshiba PA3541U-2PRP Dynadock USB Docking Station with VGA Port

The docking station works great. The ability to network through the USB is a neat idea. It would be super if power could be supplied to the notebook as well, but I haven't foud a way yet.

I purchased the DynaDock (DVI version) about a month ago. I use it with two fairly new (10 month old and 5 month old) Toshiba laptops. I followed the install procedures and got the dock "working" with both PCs. Things to be aware of include: 1. With a 22" monitor (1600X1050 resolution) leaving the video color setup at 32 bit causes the windows to open and close very slow and choppy (setting it at 16 bit eliminated this problem) 2. Once you install the dynadock software onto a laptop - every time you boot up that laptop (including awaking from sleep) the screen will flicker for about 5 seconds at bootup (annoying) 3. The process of "ejecting the dock" never seems to work 100% 4. Entering/awaking Vista sleep is not 100% reliable

Overall - the dynadock is OK - but it needs some more work before its ready for the mainstream computer user. Its still too finicky with its current software/hardware version.

How does a company release a Toshiba docking station into the market that doesn't work with a Toshiba laptop? This piece of sht takes forever to install and in the end, doesn't even work with a popular Toshiba line - Satellite M30x. Of course if I plug in the VGA cable directly into my laptop, the monitor works fine. Please do yourself a favor and DO NOT get this piece of sht product.

TOSHIBA - PULL THIS PIECE OF SHT LINE FROM YOUR CATALOG AND WEBSITE PLEASE!

I couldn't find ANY info on this unit online that was useful, so I hope this finds you and you find it useful.The entire purpose of this unit is to simplify the removal of your laptop from accessories and monitors as you come and go. It is NOT a conventional docking station where you attach a separate keyboard. I purchased this unit TO HAVE 3 monitors in use simultaneously, to display three different screens at once. That is exactly what it does and very well! I got the DVI so I had the option to use that input if I chose with my 32" hidef 1080i Dell monitor. As I have it now, I used an adapter, DVI-VGA for that connection. To use 3 monitors, here is the breakdown: 1 is the laptop monitor, 2 is the 2nd display plugged into the laptop, and the third display is plugged into the Toshiba unit. It will create a "virtual" video card for the third display. PLease note that for standard surfing or website viewing it works great on that third monitor, but if you are needing REALLY detailed graphic support on screen, be careful relying on the third monitor for that specific purpose. It's almost not noticeable, but if you are a graphics person, you will see the difference. Easy to use, just plug it in and that's about it. It will place the third monitor between the first and the second so if your orientation for multiple monitors is left to right, it will put the virtual display between your laptop and the connected display on the back of the laptop. Where it use to go (laptop-2nd display) it will not go (laptop, virtual display, 2nd display) and it is a seamless integration. note that if you are using different size displays as I am (32"and 17"), you will literally need to move the mouse down, from the top of the large display to reach the top of the next display as the screen sizes literally don't equate as you have different sizes of real estate to navigate (You'll see, dont worry)Hope this review helped. [...]

I have been using this product for nearly two months and it has filled my needs for easy connectivity to a range of devices when I use my laptop in my home office.

Although setup was not remarkably challenging, it is absolutely essential that you go to the Toshiba site and obtain the most current drivers. Just as a 'gotcha' that site seems to maintain drivers in multiple locations and/or formats . . . the first set I found did not successfully install, the next set were just fine.

I'm using this docking station w/ a Toshiba laptop and Vista Small Business. After installing updated drivers in preparation to set up the dock, I have not encountered any issues. Since installing, I've also applied Vista SP-1 without incident.

With the exception of the 9 pin serial port, I use all the functionality of the dock. My desktop monitor is 19" so I have not tested/pushed the limits of screen resolution, but at that size flat panel, there are no issues.

My experience with this dock is that it is convenient, capable and represents a reasonably high ratio of function to cost. I'd recommend it to a friend, and with some trepidation to a friend who knows nothing about computer configuration.