Wisair-based wireless display adapters head to Macs
By Donald Melanson 
posted February 8th 2010 2:57PM
posted February 8th 2010 2:57PM
PC users have been able to take advantage of a range of Wisair-based wireless display adapters for quite a while now, and it looks like Mac users will soon be able to use them to cut a few cords as well. The first such device is a Mac-ready version of InFocus' wireless display adapter, which is designed specifically for use with InFocus' own DisplayLink-enabled projectors and should be available by the end of March. That looks to just be the beginning, however, as Wisair itself has also announced that no less than four other OEM vendors will be offering some Mac-ready, Wisair-based adapters of their own next month -- all of which, coincidentally, will be making their official debut at MacWorld 2010 this week.
@NAME
Grr... just when i was planting some wheat in farmville, it goes down :(
I'd be all for it because I do hate wires but they really need to make that adaptor smaller. Nice to see Macs being looked at for these sorts of products as well.
I need this for my printer...
@NAME This is probably going to be at least as expensive, if not more, than an airport express, which gives you wireless printing and a LOT more. Totally worth it. However, I'd really recommend getting an Airport Express or Time Capsule, as it lets you put your computer to sleep and still share your itunes/files via Bonjour- the router advertises your shares, and wakes your computer when someone wants to access. It's freaking awesome.
@NAME
Um, no I mean I need the DEALEXTREME version for 1 tenth the price...
Mmmm MacBook Pro: Now available in Beige.
i want to know what this thing is plugged in to. im using the 15 inch unibody right now. is it sitting under the laptop or is it plugged into the dvd drive? i realize neither of those are right but what was the artist thinking? surely they know theres nothing on that side.
@v3xx Great catch!
So does this mean that these things will ONLY work with their projectors, and I can't buy a hookup for the DVI on my hdtv? Because that would be just SOO awesome if I could game on the TV without needing a wireless mouse/keyboard (or USB extension cord, ahem..). I don't really care about hooking up my speakers, I prefer my headphones anyway.
@v3xx
Thats a macbook air, the usb port flips out on the right side
@yulebellow
ah crap you're right. i havent seen one in so long time. the local apple store doesnt even have one on display anymore.
This is probably going to be at least as expensive, if not more, than an airport express, which gives you wireless printing and a LOT more. Totally worth it. However, I'd really recommend getting an Airport Express or Time Capsule, as it lets you put your computer to sleep and still share your itunes/files via Bonjour- the router advertises your shares, and wakes your computer when someone wants to access. It's freaking awesome.
@The Dead Marxist Trio
Yay for this terrible comment system. My post here is meant to be a response to NAME. Lets try that again.
Anyone have any experience with these devices?
Can you extend the desktop with them, or does it just push out what is on your monitor?
@stabbytheicepic Follow the link to Nilay's review. Sounds like the previous generation was pretty awful, so even if this version added audio, it likely isn't useful. I'd wait for a review that says its usable for Hulu and such before spending any money. BTW, the Altona HDMI version is available for like $150 on Amazon right now...
Don't macs broadcast wifi anyways? Why can't you take advantage of that
@ThomasBags Macs can't natively broadcast display data over Wi-Fi... DisplayLink technology can be used over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, but the company has not made any such devices to do that.
Check the WP article on DisplayLink technology, which is what Wisair is using for these adapters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayLink
i wonder if this causes any overheating issues due to the Macbook being closed??
say Engadget, what's the point of having an "exclude" feature, if you don't tag properly?!