Wish your netbook had more USB ports, a better sound card, or support for highe resolution monitors? The Toshiba dynadock U is a $150 USB docking station that adds all that and more to anyWindows PC. It features:
- Built in HD digital video card with VGA and DVI outputs and support for display resolutions up to 1920 x 1200
- Built in audio card with virtual 7.1 surround sound and S/PDIF port
- 6 USB ports
- LAN port
- Mic/headphone jacks
- Undock button for safely removing your computer
The dynadock U weighs 1.13 pounds and measures 1.8″ x 3.1″ x 8.75″ and comes with an AC adapter. Unfortunately the docking station does not run off of USB power. But if you keep the docking station on your desk and plug it into a large monitor and a good speaker system and any USB peripherals you need, it can pretty much turn your tiny netbook into a much more powerful machine. Well, a more powerful machine with a relatively slow processor anyway.
Port replicators are nice if you have a number of cables to plug in, but unless you have a limited-resolution netbook (there are a few) or are dying for digital audio, it’s hard to see why this is a win over a more basic port replicator.
Seems like kind of a niche product.
Um… not much more powerful. All of the netbooks I can think of have all of that built in, except for a cheap VGA to DVI adapter and a USB hub (and “virtual” 7.1 sound – whatever that’s supposed to be). The GMA950 handles 2048×1536 (more than this), they all have a 10/100 ethernet jack, all I’ve seen have mic and headphone…
“Virtual 7.1 Sound” (which sounds like some fancy mixing done to the standard stereo output), 3 more USB ports, and a DVI adapter – for $150?