IBM Laptop Docking Station PCI Slot

[federalhouse]

I have an IBM ThinkPad T22 laptop and I recently was given an IBM Thinkpad Docking station with port replicator and ultrabay 2000 slot (2631 20U). It also has a half-size (half height) PCI slot in it.

My graphics card in the T22 is about crap and I really don't need to get a new laptop for what I'm doing right now. But I would like to be able to have better graphics if the opportunity arose.

My question is, if I was to put a new upgraded graphics card into the PCI card slot of the Docking station, would my laptop recognize the new graphics card and run off of it, or is this impossible with laptops?

I know this is a detailed post but I figured someone out there may have an answer.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[SOcRatEs]

Hello! Welcome to TechSpot

In a word (YES)

Info SOURCE
PCI Slot

Note this is a Half Height, or 'low profile' slot. Separate brackets are required for low profile PCI cards. Normal cards will not fit.

Many use the half-size PCI slot for peripherals like secondary video cards, TV tuners, audio cards, etc. This is considered by many to be the highlight of the Dock II, and is a feature that few other docks have. The Dock II does not support AGP or PCI Express. The Ultrabay 2000 slot can be used to connect other IBM peripherals, such as second hard disks or CD/DVD drives. Potential owners of the Dock II are often concerned about compatibility and recommendations of video cards. See the compatible video cards

G'Luck

 

[federalhouse]

So based on that a new video card in the PCI slot on the dock would only work with an external monitor, the laptop LCD screen I'm guessing is connected to the onboard video card?

 

[SOcRatEs]

Yes , from my limited knowledge of laptops. It's a pass through video feed.
You can out source video from laptop to crt without docking.
G'Luck