Teacher Laptops and USB-C Docking Stations

[SpankyMo]

Had the 2nd trial device delivered yesterday.

 

This is a Lenovo e14. They have sent me a 4000 series Ryzen 3 to test but the ones we buy will be either i5 or Ryzen 5. 8GB RAM, 256GB M.2 SSD, Wi-Fi 6, 1920 x 1080 FHD screen, USB-C PD, TPM 2.

This feels a little heavier, bigger and sturdier than the Stone but when you actually put them side by side there's not an awful lot in it. It says it has a 2 sided metal finish, so I think the bottom and top are metal but the bit around they keyboard is plastic. Lenovo say its MIL-SPEC and it definitely feels like this can take a bit more of a beating. There is also a little red power light on the lid.

Screen is nice and bright, the camera is 720p and it does have a privacy shutter. I can't decided it that is a good thing or not for teachers though.

Keyboard is really nice, it has a caps lock light and no NUM Lock which I'm good with. I don't like the red joystick but I guess that's a personal thing. For me the Trackpad lets this laptop down a little, it's OK but after using the Stonebook Lite the one on the Lenovo feels a little small and just not as nice. It has buttons at the top and you can click at the bottom as normal.

It has the USB-C on the left which would make it easier for me to get the USB-C PD docks that I like, so that's a big thing. The charger is also USB-C. It also has 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB 3, 1 x USB 2, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x 3.5mm dual purpose mic/headset and a Kensington lock. The power button on this is on the right hand side, next to the keyboard.

 

For the Ryzen 5 model I have been quoted £470, plus £20 to upgrade to a 3 year depot warranty.

 

I'll be honest.. I like the Lenovo, I like the feel of everything other than the trackpad. I prefer the placement of the USB-C port but having a 3 year depot warranty ain't gonna cut it. I'll have to have a chat with the supplier and see what they can do.

 

[Primus]

for 60 units I've been quoted £425 with the Stone 3yr NBD on-site warranty, its £60 extra to upgrade to an i5 and £35 to upgrade to a 5yr warranty.

 

All in all £510 for the i5 with a 5Yr warranty that cover the battery and PSU.

 

I really, really like these stone laptops. The only issue for me is the placement of the USB-C port, its on the right hand side and most of the docks I have been looking at need the port to be on the left.

 

That's a good price, it does look a nice laptop.

[chaplic]

I've put a few Lenovo E14 into my school and so far I'm impressed - my own machine is a x1 carbon which is a grand more expensive than the E14 but quite comparable.

 

Previously i've used clevo laptops from pcspecialist which were great spec/ cheap but poor reliability.

[3s-gtech]

I've put a few Lenovo E14 into my school and so far I'm impressed - my own machine is a x1 carbon which is a grand more expensive than the E14 but quite comparable.

 

Previously i've used clevo laptops from pcspecialist which were great spec/ cheap but poor reliability.

 

Any other feedback on the E14? We’ve got a hundred or so incoming and I’m keen to know more.

[SpankyMo]

So I've just ordered 60 of the Lenovo E14's, we managed to get the price down and get a 3yr next business day onsite warranty.

It was a really tough decision to be honest, I really liked the Stonebook Lite and the warranty and support from Stone are exceptional, but almost every member of staff I showed them to preferred the Lenovo.

It was really surprising how many people like the little joystick thing and the extra buttons on the trackpad. A few also preferred the slightly bigger enter key on the Lenovo as well.

 

I think I am going to order 60 of the Icy Dock ICY BOX IB-DK2102-C as they worked really well, they have VGA, 3.5mm Audio, HDMI, USB C power delivery. I tested a few others but this was my favourite and you can also flip it over so it didn't matter which side of the laptop the USB-C port was on. If I can't get these then I will look at these i-tec docks.

Neither of these docks come with power supplies so I have ordered these USB-C ones and the clover leaf power leads to go with them.

[gumbygaz]

Cheers for the updates, interesting reading. Out of interest with the docks, are the USB-C cable for the laptop replaceable or is it moulded on?

We bought the HP G4 docks and the usbc cable is removable so we can use longer ones when needed and when damaged simple cable to replace. They now don't make the g4 anymore and the g5 replacement is moulded in so would be an expensive replacement of the whole dock if cable get damaged- so looking for suitable replacements

[SpankyMo]

Unfortunately the icy box and the i-tec are both molded. I think I've been quoted £75 and £65 respectively

[mullet_man]

Wondering if anyone has tested those magnetic USB-C adapters?

 

You would put a adapter in the teachers laptop and one on the dock end.

 

Am wondering if this would solve my issue of broken dock usbc cables.

[Norphy]

Wondering if anyone has tested those magnetic USB-C adapters?

 

You would put a adapter in the teachers laptop and one on the dock end.

 

Am wondering if this would solve my issue of broken dock usbc cables.

 

Do those things carry data? I always thought that those were for charging only?

[mullet_man]

Do those things carry data? I always thought that those were for charging only?

Some claim data too, I might buy one and test it.

 

Could be a game changer really as it would hopefully protect both our non changeable usb c dock cables and the port in teacher laptops from damage.

[3s-gtech]

Remember that data doesn't necessarily also mean DP alt mode. That may make a difference.

[bald_pig]

Some claim data too, I might buy one and test it.

 

Could be a game changer really as it would hopefully protect both our non changeable usb c dock cables and the port in teacher laptops from damage.

 

I haven't seen one that looks capable of anything above USB 2.0...

[SpankyMo]

Apparently you have to get one of the 20 pin versions so that it will carry the power and data.

I've seen lots of bad reviews of them - issues like coming apart and exposing pins. There also doesn't seem to be any made by a big well known manufacturer which is a bit of a red flag.

[mullet_man]

Apparently you have to get one of the 20 pin versions so that it will carry the power and data.

I've seen lots of bad reviews of them - issues like coming apart and exposing pins. There also doesn't seem to be any made by a big well known manufacturer which is a bit of a red flag.

 

I know that's what I thought when searching for them as it would be perfect for a school environment, where teachers are moving every lesson like we have at the minute.

[mehball]

Where did you get the trial devices from?

 

I would like to get the following in to test with staff

 

- Lenovo E13 / Dock

- HP ProBook 450 G8 / Dock

- Acer Travel Mate / Dock

 

Can anyone recommend a supplier that could help with a trial on these devices?

[chazzy2501]

@SpankyMo

 

I've never seen a Ryzen laptop that offers display port over USB-C as the description states USB-C PD (power delivery), this I would take to mean NO DISPLAYPORT over USB-C. Just thought it'd be an odd choice on a topic USB-C docks wanting DP over USB-C?

[psydii]

On Ryzen laptops - I think we have a few here in the hands of teachers... will have to check.

 

On USB-C cables, we've had good luck with these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B094CCJMFV?th=1

 

The key seems to be the SuperSpeed logo which indicate they have passed certain tests. That said, we have pretty much abandoned USBC for DP delivery as our (intel 2016-2019 hardware) laptops and docks could never maintain connectivity.

[3s-gtech]

Ryzen laptops can have DP over USB-C capability - look at the T495 for instance.

[chazzy2501]

@3s-gtech is this only for Ryzen-Pro CPUs? or do they go to the expense of adding a chip for the capability to the laptop (or use external onboard graphics (not vega))

 

I just got some DFE laptops the Dynabook E10s-EQ this quad core celeron n4120 it has DP over USBC! 11.5" screen and it has a real SSD (sata but way better than EMMC)

 

p.s. I've said it before but USB-C is really sensitive and mostly can be fixed with contact cleaner-- even if it looks fine. Also fussy about extensions leads. (not really selling it at this point am I)

[bald_pig]

@SpankyMo

 

I've never seen a Ryzen laptop that offers display port over USB-C as the description states USB-C PD (power delivery), this I would take to mean NO DISPLAYPORT over USB-C. Just thought it'd be an odd choice on a topic USB-C docks wanting DP over USB-C?

 

USB C is just the connector. That connection could have USB 2/3/4, DP, PD and/or Thunderbolt 3/4 running over it, depending on what the manufacturer implements.

[Gazdeth]

3 months down the line and all teacher laptops now have a brayed out 'stick in a bucket' usb-c port:mad:

[seaweed]

Actually considering getting them for the school. What's the difference between the cheaper ones and expensive ones? Will a £50 docking station be suffice or will it break very soon?

[mullet_man]

3 months down the line and all teacher laptops now have a brayed out 'stick in a bucket' usb-c port:mad:

 

We've only had a couple of broken ports, but had more broken lead ends.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Actually considering getting them for the school. What's the difference between the cheaper ones and expensive ones? Will a £50 docking station be suffice or will it break very soon?

 

My advice would be to find docks that allow you to replace the USB-C lead, our ones are soldiered into the dock so if the lead goes the dock goes.

[chazzy2501]

22 months of our HP G5 Docks all working. Apart from the dirt problem no issues. (non-replaceable) (16 docks, all in classrooms)

 

I also have HP docking monitors for offices but they're new also the cable is replaceable. (but do support external monitors as well, so could work in the classroom).

[chazzy2501]

USB C is just the connector. That connection could have USB 2/3/4, DP, PD and/or Thunderbolt 3/4 running over it, depending on what the manufacturer implements.

 

yes but must be supported by the chipset and graphics. I've seen the cheapest celeron support display port over usbc but have not seen any Ryzen / Vega based laptop ever support it.. So I assume that the VEGA graphics, the cpu or chipset don't natively support display port over usbc.

 

I've not extensively searched, just never seen it supported when I was shopping.

 

Maybe the Pro Ryzen CPUs do? (as they have extra features) IDK about Ryzen / Nvidia.