What you want is to make the external display primary then (while deactivating the notebook's display), which isn't DL's definition of mirroring. My MBA is not plugged into my docking station right now -- I know that option exists for the Windows DL drivers. Perhaps a DL employee can chime in here.
Personally, I end up leaving my MBA's screen on and active, off to the side. It's a great option for flinging a background window (like my Slingplayer or webcam) off to the side, allowing me to use my primary display without any topmost windows obscuring anything.
I have a 2012 i5 MBA here with a Plugable UD-3000 dock. I would definitely opt for a USB 3.0 solution -- overall performance and responsiveness to my 1920x1080 display is outstanding. Since you're not using the MBA's display, are you using an external keyboard and mouse as well? If so, I'd definitely recommend a full fledged solution like the Plugable. You'll also gain a gigabit Ethernet wired connection -- although that's a little touchy with the current 2.0 drivers (problems obtaining in IP when coming out of sleep periodically).
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