Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer, laptop, or tablet that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which may include any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of a docking base comprises a base housing including at least one alignment pin disposed within the base housing. Each of the at least one alignment pin is configured to engage a corresponding alignment pin receptacle of a device housing of an electronic device. The base housing further includes an attachment mechanism coupled to the at least one first alignment pin, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to cause the at least one first alignment pin to extend at least partially from the base housing when the device housing is within a predetermined proximity of the base housing.