DisplayLink releases beta drivers for OS X

Folks hanging on the Mac side of life have surely been waiting in tense anticipation for DisplayLink to become OS X friendly, for like, ever. As promised, the first drivers have emerged in order to give Intel-based Macs (yes, MacBook Air and Mac mini are included) the ability to connect with up to four monitors over USB. Granted, the beta software has no 2D acceleration and no OpenGL 3D acceleration, but both limitations are known and will hopefully be ironed out in the final release. So, what are you waiting for? Tap the read link below to get your download on -- but be sure to read up on the documentation before forging ahead without a care in the world.

[Thanks, Mike]

[IT-Accountant @ Mar 31st 2008 12:35PM]

Am I the only one here who would totally go for a 6-screen setup?

*spaces out thinking of all the geeky potential*

[Wwhat @ Mar 31st 2008 12:44PM]

It seems all rather idiotic, they have videos on the site with the most awful choice of background noise (perhaps they think it's music?) and then show what you can do with multiple monitors things like playing a 720p video on one while you can browse, or say youtube, on another, but common, how the fuck can you watch a movie while watching a youtube or working on something?
Having tons of monitors is just pretty pointless in most all cases.

[John @ Mar 31st 2008 12:46PM]

My dad can't do it, but the man is 60 years old.
I can do it. Although I'm 20 years old.

Are you an old man?

[Abuzar @ Mar 31st 2008 1:06PM]

It comes in handy to many people who are editing Music.

[Michael LaFramboise @ Mar 31st 2008 1:57PM]

"...who are editing Music."

Or graphics
Or coding
Or video
Or working w/ anything else that can be spread out over multiple monitors to prevent alt+tabbing every 5 seconds

[Michael LaFramboise @ Mar 31st 2008 2:00PM]

sorry, forgot to add to my last comment; I would LOVE to be able to hook up an additional couple of monitors to my MBP :D However is there any word on max resolution of the external monitors? Cause I mean if its 1600x1200 then it makes it pretty useless to me... now if its 1920x1200, then we're talking :)

[Cursor @ Mar 31st 2008 3:34PM]

Won't support 1920x1200, according to the website.

"High definition displays – up to UXGA 1600x1200"

Not really a big deal for most users, but I have come across situations where insanely high resolutions are necessary (CAD, etc.)

[IT-Accountant @ Mar 31st 2008 4:55PM]

As someone who works with multiple massive spreadsheets every day, I wouldn't mind having several high-resolution monitors regardless of framerates or response times, even if the screens are 4:3. Alt-Tab gets really old when you have 12 windows open. I love my 1280x1024 dual-screen setup, and 1600x1200 triple or quad would be amazing.

[Matt @ Mar 31st 2008 12:48PM]

Mac's have drivers?


*gasp*

[Andrew @ Mar 31st 2008 12:53PM]

Don't say it out loud. Most Mac users never touch the damn things. Lucky them, huh?

P.S. Yes I own Macs - and loads of PCs. Drivers are never an issue with the Macs.

[papu @ Mar 31st 2008 1:46PM]

thats because things either work or dont, and mac users accept that.

[Abuzar @ Mar 31st 2008 1:04PM]

Yeah Macs are so awesome. When I plugged my printer in it immediately recognized it; Windows would never do that! Of course since I knew the model number I just downloaded the drivers for it on XP.

On the Mac it automatically knew what model it was, but alas, there were no drivers for. So all it did was recognize the printer. Beautiful, but ultimately, Useless.

[phanbouy @ Mar 31st 2008 1:11PM]

abuzar: go away fanboy

[papu @ Mar 31st 2008 1:14PM]

perhaps not windows 98 but vista and xp knows the model of camera/phone plugged in and i always chuckle.

you've basically described the core difference between mac and other users , mac users want everything to work in a shiney white world.
but things aren't perfect and a dvd drive without manual eject is pants on the head retarded.

[papu @ Mar 31st 2008 1:17PM]

you've basically described the core differnce between mac and other users , mac users expect things to work, other users get a satisfaction out of making things work, i know i do.
but the shiney white world is not without flaws
a dvd drive without manual eject is pants on the head retarded.

[huh @ Mar 31st 2008 1:23PM]

I have a Brother 420CN printer. On Windows I have to install a bunch of drivers and reboot the computer.

On the Mac I can open the print dialog in my app, plug the printer in (USB) and it will install automagically - the print dialog will even update with the new printer.

On Windows you get extra utility programs (including annoying tasktray and accessory apps).

Ultimately the Mac is like Linux, you have to buy hardware that is supported, but if it is, in the best case it will Just Work, without even requiring any driver installation.

[phanbouy @ Mar 31st 2008 1:23PM]

huh? just trying to stop another fanboy from fanning a PC vs Mac flamewar. not that you'd be trolling here or anything; i'm sure you're just totally interested in DisplayLink drivers for OS X rather than trolling.

[Bethany Corcoran @ Mar 31st 2008 1:25PM]

My sound card and MIDI keyboard are both recognised completely by OS X, both Tiger and Leopard. The only thing I had to install was my sound card's software mixer. As for printers, you can choose to install about a gig of printer drivers when installing OS X, which is how they work. But (some) other equipment, which would require drivers on Windows, is just class compliant.

[Ellianth @ Mar 31st 2008 1:38PM]

Wow.. you people are arguing about whether or not you have to install drivers.

[phanbouy @ Mar 31st 2008 1:43PM]

i mean seriously, abuzar, who cares what you were or weren't able to get to work on some mac? i'm reading this article as someone who's a multi-OS user and is interested in the latest developments for both. just once i'd love to read an apple related article on engadget without half the posts being unrelated apple-flamebait. talk about defensive... you fanboys are so insecure that you can't stand that others don't use exactly what you do and have to flame everyone that dares utter a positive word about the products they like. get a hobby.

[Michael LaFramboise @ Mar 31st 2008 1:55PM]

10.3 Panther CD?

[Peter Ross @ Mar 31st 2008 2:43PM]

I think people following the stock market would really enjoy this too.

[MrWhite @ Mar 31st 2008 3:51PM]

I'm in Insurance and we use dual monitors, I also do page layout for our local newspaper, we use dual monitors. Those who think there is no use for it should be punched in the throat.

[thatkidmattt @ Mar 31st 2008 4:37PM]

I think it's one of those "I've never tried it so I don't see any point to it" situations.

My freshman year I was perfectly content with my MBP's 15" screen, but after my friend loaned me his old monitor and I used it for like a week I was hooked. I never really had a problem with desktop real estate and never realized how much more productive having two monitors could make someone.

[BEETROOT @ Mar 31st 2008 4:32PM]

I will use this to surround myself in a hexagon of pornography.

[phanbouy @ Mar 31st 2008 4:54PM]

that sounds diabolical!

[IT-Accountant @ Mar 31st 2008 4:58PM]

I think everyone should keep in mind that the typical customer for one of these setups is not going to be playing crysis in his cube/office. screen space is productivity space. I simply can't believe that anyone would think that the ability to hook up multiple (admittedly low-performance) monitors if they so choose would be a bad thing.

[ron1n @ Apr 1st 2008 8:23AM]

papu: or they make drivers. Its called open source. Granted Apple doesn't do the best job at being open, its better than most.

[papu @ Mar 31st 2008 2:30PM]

joe soap apple user isnt going to make drivers ffs.

[Phil Wiffen @ Apr 1st 2008 10:53AM]

The reason it doesn't support acceleration is due to OS X's closed nature:

"DisplayLink is committed to making a Mac release that is just as good – if not better – than our Windows Vista release, including full support for OpenGL 3D acceleration. Unfortunately the Mac OS X operating system is a closed system, and unlike Windows XP and Windows Vista, it is difficult to make significant improvements without the direct support of Apple. If you would like to see improved support for DisplayLink USB devices from Apple, please let them know through the Apple Feedback form for Mac OS X."