>You could try and ensure that the laptop is using the correct power profile. Most laptops will cut the CPU speed down to save power when they're undocked. This may give the illusion that it's working hard........

I can have a look, but it is the System monitor that indicate CPU usage of around 30%, so it is not just a perception of slow performance.

Also, I noticed that when I move the pointer around with my mouse, the CPU usage would go down and stay down as long as I keep the pointer moving. CPU usage returns to about 30% level when I leave the computer alone.

>The Laptop isn't part of a network share ?

It is networked with my other desktop and I do have file and print sharing, but the desktop doesn't report high CPU usage under the same circumtance. The desktop machine usually uses less than 10% when idle.