Targus debuts ACP51USZ laptop docking station with video
By Donald Melanson 
posted December 9th 2009 1:59PM
posted December 9th 2009 1:59PM
Well, it's not quite as seamless as something like Zemno's $500 DeskBook Pro docking station, but Targus' new ACP51USZ model is a good deal cheaper, and will likely get the job done just fine for most folks (with a few exceptions). That includes giving you a reasonable four USB 2.0 ports (two suitable for charging devices), a single DVI port for your monitor, an Ethernet port, and a pair of 3.5mm audio jacks for speakers, headphones, or a microphone -- all of which connect to your laptop with a single USB cable. Unfortunately, this one won't work (or at least be fully functional) with Mac or Linux, but it is compatible with Windows 7, XP and Vista, and it's available right now for $159.99.
I had a Targus docking station almost exactly like this that was terrible. Works fine as a USB hub, but video (through VGA) was unbearably choppy. If I remember correctly I was using XP at the time and the dock was about $40.
Does the price and time difference mean this one will work well? I'm curious but doubtful.
@(Unverified)
The old Targus dock used an old PCI graphics chip with a USB to PCI bridge in it. These new docks use DisplayLink and their performance is significantly better. The video is perfectly fine for all office tasks and even plays DVD/SD content fine, though you wouldn't want to use it for 3D gaming or 1080p HD.
http://www.displaylink.com
am i the only one who expected a video?
@endgegner
Yes.
Was going to say - Video over USB - no thanks!
Can it do 1920x1080? That is the only resolution I use on any of the HDTV/monitors that I have.
And why don't these companies make stuff that works with Mac & Linux? That is all I have at my house. (I will say that I have done this just buying individual USB devices and using a regular hub. It works regardless of the OS I am using at the time.)
@rcappo In order to do full HD, you need 4.0Gbps speed for the video alone (1920x1080x60fpsx32bpp). USB 2.0 can handle about 1/10th of that. USB 3.0 however, should be able to handle it (barely). I would wait for 3.0 to catch on before buying one of these.
@danwallie
You've obviously never used a DisplayLink device before. I use mine at 1920x1200 every day. Hell, I even have a second 1280x1024 monitor connected via the same USB cable. Dozens of manufacturers ship these USB 2.0 graphics devices these days. They work remarkably well.
@rcappo They don't make a Mac version, because Apple has convinced Mac users that the touchpad and display on Macs are perfect in their minimalism and that attaching a bunch of wires like this would sully the Mac. They don't make a Linux version, because Linux users are used to taking a few extra slightly more difficult steps in doing things in order to use a free OS. Most Linux users are fully capable of plugging in a few cables to use an external keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.
And finally they don't make them work with Mac or Linux because the market share is not worthwhile for their investments. If you choose to use a minority OS, expect lack of compatibility or products. I find Windows to have some significant flaws, but still choose it over Linux and OSX for many reasons, one of the main reasons is compatibility with as many products as possible.
I dont think one usb can handle all of that data very well. Definitely not higher screen resolutions.
There are supposed to work for basic productivity apps just fine, and the resolution support is getting better (not sure on this particular model). It would be great if they would write drivers for Mac though, as the Mac really needs it the most since Apple doesn't have any real docking stations.
Why not offer ExpressCard connectivity as well? That port sits on my laptop just waiting to be used for the perfect solution: HDMI + eSATA.
Also, no Linux support? Lame.
@db26
The video just uses DisplayLink, and there is an official DisplayLink Linux project:
http://www.displaylink.org
The rest of the peripherals should be supported by Linux as they're standard USB to Ethernet and USB to Audio.
There are Mac drivers for the video portion too:
http://www.displaylink.com/mac
In other words, it's not a docking station at all.