Docking station
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A docking station is a part of a portable computer that remains on a desk, containing hardware that is not needed when on the road, while a smaller section detaches to provide a lighter laptop. Docking stations are often used to outfit a light-weight ultraportable so that it is more of a desktop replacement, for use at home. Docking stations provide for extra connections like slots for expansion cards but a port replicator does not. Extra devices that a docking station can support include: hard drive bays, optical drive bays, keyboard/mouse connectors (PS/2 ports), additional USB ports, PC Card slots, external display connectors, and a variety of other devices that are deemed to be unnecessary on a laptop and/or add weight and decrease portabilty.
Docking or undocking of portable computers can be done either hot or cold. In a cold dock or undock, the computer is shut down before it is inserted into or removed from the docking station. In a hot dock or undock, the computer is running, with or without programs and documents open, when it is inserted into or removed from the docking station. Computer manufacturers can design the docking stations and BIOS of their mobile computers in different ways resulting in different docking and undocking behaviors.
Recent docking station designs use the laptop screen rather than an external monitor as the primary screen. This type of docking station is also referred to by some as a laptop stand. Most examples offer a connection to peripherals such as keyboards and mice and networks via an internal USB hub. This type of dock was first introduced in 2002 as the Oysterdock referencing the way the dock clamps around the laptop when it is docked. It also allows users to place their laptop screen in an ergonomically correct position.
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