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Kensington: Add an Extra Monitor Over USB

Thursday January 17, 2008 12:47 am PST by Arnold Kim

Kensington was demoing the sd200v Notebook Docking Station with Video at Macworld this week. The device connects to your Intel Mac via USB 2.0 and provides you with a 5-port USB hub, Headphone jack, Microphone jack and VGA plug (no DVI yet). The VGA plug allows you to add an additional monitor to your laptop which can act to either mirror or extend your laptop screen.

Overall the product worked as advertised, though there was some sluggishness with the video on the USB-driven monitor. Quicktime movies were playable and watchable but there was occasional tearing. The USB monitor was hot-pluggable - Mac OS X recognized when the USB monitor was removed and readded and acted appropriately.

The maximum resolution of the additional monitor is 1440 x 1024. The device retails for $139.99 and available now, but Mac OS X drivers aren't expected until April 1, 2008.

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aswitcher
53 months ago
Nice. Might be a must have item for MBA owners who have only one USB
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Markleshark
53 months ago
I might buy one of these for my Mac Mini. Ace product.
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koobcamuk
53 months ago

...but Mac OS X drivers aren't expected until April 1, 2008.


:rolleyes:
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MrCrowbar
53 months ago
Isn't that a Mac Desktop on that demo setup? :-)
If it did 1580x1050 (20" WS display), I'd get one to hook up my Macbook to my 2 Dell monitors. Sadly, I don't currently own any 4:3 monitors. Too bad the mini DVI does not do dual link :)
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CrackedButter
53 months ago
I wonder why they didn't opt for firewire since the performance was sluggish.
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RevToTheRedline
53 months ago

I wonder why they didn't opt for firewire since the performance was sluggish.


Because some people just haven't got a clue and think USB is the best thing since sliced bread, but in all reality we Mac users know Firewire has been the best, always has always will.

Although I can't get to angry if it was a perfect world Apple would have also put at least a Firewire 400 port on the Time Capsule for better performance with external drives connected to it while using the Airport Extremes gigabit.
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bigandy
53 months ago

I wonder why they didn't opt for firewire since the performance was sluggish.


it's aimed primarily at the PC/Win market, so FireWire isn't such a viable option.
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Digitalclips
53 months ago

Isn't that a Mac Desktop on that demo setup? :-)
If it did 1580x1050 (20" WS display), I'd get one to hook up my Macbook to my 2 Dell monitors. Sadly, I don't currently own any 4:3 monitors. Too bad the mini DVI does not do dual link :)


You have to be careful with these things, many apps on a Mac for pros such as FCPro would have a fit if you tried to use this as they require any second monitor to be running on the same card or via PCI Express. However, for just having more screen space for simple apps like Mail and Safari I'd be tempted to add this or similar. There is another maker with video through USB at the show but it doesn't have as many output options, but I forget the name of the company. Yes I agree with others FireWire version (800 and 400) would be great. You have to think they will look at this.
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fblack
53 months ago
I'm not sure what there is to get excited about. A usb hub? ok, but plenty out there. VGA? ok, but i got a mini dvi cable for the macbook. Headphone & mic jack? Gee, dont those come with macs already? Maybe I missed something?
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Markleshark
53 months ago

it's aimed primarily at the PC/Win market, so FireWire isn't such a viable option.


I've noticed Firewire is included on a lot more consumer PeeCees these days, just as Apple are seemingly starting to phase it out. :confused::rolleyes:

I'm not sure what there is to get excited about. A usb hub? ok, but plenty out there. VGA? ok, but i got a mini dvi cable for the macbook. Headphone & mic jack? Gee, dont those come with macs already? Maybe I missed something?


Yes, seemingly you are. It adds an extra one. Like 1 x Eternal monitor via Mini DVI and 1 x External Monitor by VGA = 2 External Monitors on a MacBook/Mac Mini/etc.
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