Just wondering if anyone can explain what exactly docking stations are for? Are they only useful for networks or do they allow the normal keypad to be attached and work as mainly a screen?
See here. Basically they are port replicators which add various additional ports to a laptop which might not be available on the device itself - e.g. network, USB, FireWire, PS2, VGA, serial, parallel etc. If you're looking for a great bargain on a port replicator see this thread. Nine of them left at the time of writing.
If you are going to do a lot of work at your laptop then i would get a docking station and a screen and keyboard to plug into, had a lot of trouble with my neck from working on a laptop all day.