- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 21 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Almost Perfect ..."
Pros: Almost every thing you need is there with reasonable price. (Check my review)
Cons: Missing AC Adapter, Problem with speakers when restarting, No firewire, No DVI port,
Summary: I just bought HP Pavilion dv2000t; it is my first notebook ever after 15 years of desktop computers. So I want it to be a smooth move. One of my main concerns while choosing the notebook was the docking station. I was looking for a desktop replacement, and HP xb3000 covered almost 95% of my needs. It has 6 USB ports, Headphone jack, Mic jack, SPDIF Audio output, VGA port, RCA video, video components, S-video, Ethernet connection, Speakers, Volume control, Mute, and Power Switch. It has adjustable reclaim stand, where you can adjust the height of your notebook. In addition, it comes with wireless keyboard and mouse along with their receiver which should be connected to one of the USB ports (I used them for another computer since I already have my Logitech EX300). The xb3000 has a small compartment for optional HP 300GB harddrive kit which I think does not worth the price ($250), I prefer if HP sells the Harddrive kit alone without the 300GB hard disk so I can install my own capacity. Well, you can use an external USB Hard Disk anyway.
I connected 19" LCD to the station where I use it as primary monitor and my notebook as the extended, this way helps you viewing different websites or document simultaneously on both monitors.
Pros: All above mentioned ports connects to the notebook with a single plug. You can use notebook ports as well while docked. In addition, you can use the remote control that comes with the notebook. Also you can use any two video outputs together. The notebook charges while docked.
Cons: No AC adapter included, where you suppose to use your notebook adapter!! I don't know what HP were thinking, it is not practical to remove it each time you want to take the notebook with you!! So I ordered another adapter of course, (I think this what HP wanted). You can add its cost to the xb3000. Another disadvantage, there is no Firewire port, although it is not important to me, yet. But still you can use the one in the notebook. Another thing, while restarting the computer, the speakers make a high knock-like noise even if they were muted. One last thing, forget about connecting your LCD with DVI connection, neither the notebook nor the xb3000 have Digital input (DVI), so you should use the analog (the blue monitor connector).
Overall, I'm very happy with my xb3000. It made my office looks neat.
- 1 reply to this review
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You kind of answered my question already, but can you give more detail? What do they put in place of the empty drive bay? I have a 250GB SATA that I would love to be able to place in that bay. Do they just put a cheap cartrige in there? I was really hoping to just screw my drive in to a chassis, but I suppose we couldn't be that lucky!
Where to buy
HP xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base - docking station:
$81.00 - $99.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$99.99 | Yes |
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$81.00 | Yes |
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