Portable computers and docking stations (PORTABLE COMPUTER AND DOCKING STATION)

摘要

A first embodiment of the invention is a portable computer with a central processing unit, a hard disk drive storage device and a liquid crystal display and a docking station 500 having at least a floppy disk drive 510, a video random access memory and a video controller ). A docking / undocking mechanism equipped with a powered device automatically docks and undocks the portable computer and the docking station after inserting the portable computer into the docking station or after requiring the unit to be undocked. Various mechanical and electrical safety measures prevent docking and undocking of such units in the event of loss of data or damage to the unit. The mechanical configuration of the interior of the docking station allows the user to place large cathode ray and display monitors on the docking station without interfering with docking or undocking.