Targus Docking Station Uses an USB 3.0 Port For Video and More

Anyone thinking that they would like to see some more use from their laptop's USB 3.0 processor may be interested in what Targus has to offer.

The company invented a docking station that plugs into an USB 3.0 port and distributes the bandwith across more than a few other connectors.

The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface standard is one whose bandwidth has made it a favorite for portable SSDs and other things that need fast transfers.

Now that the standard is turning up on every new laptop, though, companies have a reason to think up extra uses for them.

After all, even if it were true that all notebook owners have at least one USB 3.0 storage drive, that device isn't going to stay plugged in all the time.

Enter Targus' USB 3.0 Dual Video Docking Station, which can use a single USB for, among other things, providing video to two monitors at once. Go here for the product page.

The dock itself has only a DVI port and an HDMI output, but an HDMI to DVI adapter allows for using two DVI display at once.

The maximum resolution is of 2,560 x 1600 pixels and there is a DVI to VGA adapter included in the bundle too.

We mentioned that video support was not all that the dock provides and, sure enough, buyers will encounter headphone and microphone jacks as well, plus two USB 2.0 ports that support Battery Charging Specs 1.1.

Finally, Gigabit Ethernet is part of the dock's list of connectors (one port between the USB connectors and the HDMI) and the package will definitely bring with it the obligatory power adapter (6A AC adapter).

The dock sells for $199 (152.40 Euro) and should be available soon, whatever 'soon' happens to mean. We assume January 2012 is when shipments will begin in earnest.