Summary And Results
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More Performance with USB 3.0?
The bottleneck most affecting the ViBook is USB 2.0. This shouldn't be a problem once USB 3.0 is introduced (and of course, once devices like this are updated to support the new interface). With nominal transfer rates of 5 Gbit/s becoming available to the developers of external graphics solutions, it should even be possible to see hardware capable of delivering 3D rendering from certain applications. But, even if the manufacturer of the ViBooks is already stretching its feelers toward USB 3.0, there is no forecast when such devices would be available. Users can count on USB 3.0 standards starting to become generally available, at the earliest, in 2010.
Results
Until then, the Village Tronic ViBook represents a good option if users want to operate an external monitor on a PC, notebook, or netbook (though PC users will be better served by an inexpensive PCI or PCI Express card capable of enabling a pair of more responsive display outputs for less money). The graphical throughput of the external adapter is sufficient for productivity-oriented tasks, such as working on text documents, email, or surfing the Internet.
This is achieved by a compression of the graphics data before the information is transferred over USB to the additional monitor, bringing certain graphics speed advantages at a performance penalty to the CPU. The frame rate of Flash videos is acceptable; however this is where the boundary of the external solution is reached.
At $129, the ViBook is not cheap. However, remember that this includes the costs of the VT MultiDisplay software that is separately available for $49. We do with the ViBook were available seperately (without the software) because not all users want or need to use the software, since the Windows-based controls work just fine. VT MultiDisplay offers many features, such profiles for fast switching between different monitor configurations and an additional task border for the extended desktop. But at a fundamental level, the USB component is completely useable without the extra application.
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Limited specifications, but it could still be handy. USB 3.0 and 1920x1080, write an OS X driver and bump the price to $199, I'll take one.
Adam
I'm looking for a similar product but instead of DVI/VGA output I'd like SD TV-out.
$129 is way way to expensive, add that to your budget and scrap getting a netbook, go for a notebook with display out option included if you really need a second monitor, and you will benefit in the speed increase of the notebook hardware over Atoms performance!
what about using this as a diagnostic tool, in the event of having no working video on a PC? Is it capable of doing this?
Honestly, I don't get the point in using multiple monitors on netbooks. Like seriously, it's just a netbook. Simple stuff
I would've bought that adapter, but only if the price was set at around 20-30 bucks. BTW, I don't wanna carry too much wires around, I've already gotten my mouse, charging adapter, and a pair of headphones.
IMHO, it's much better to use it on a laptop/notebook.
what about using this as a diagnostic tool, in the event of having no working video on a PC? Is it capable of doing this?
I don't think so. Unless you already installed the drivers before your normal video went dead.
I'm baffled as to why the article states that netbooks don't have the ability to attach an external display. My MSI Wind, and most of the others, have VGA out, and I use a 22" external monitor at the same time as my internal display all the time.
Note to author: try using a netbook first before making false claims about it's abilities.
I remember this company, they used to make Video cards for the Commodore Amiga.
Their products were expensive then, seems not much has changed over the past 20 years.
Ive run a second monitor on an eee PC 900a, doesnt work particularly well as the IGP sucks and the CPU is a joke. But it was very functional. Ended up removing my accelerated graphics driver in Ubuntu 9.04, think it had something to do with my having overwritten default display settings.( Note not editing the .xorg, just using ubuntu's "display" settings) Anyway, only real disadvantage was that Compiz no longer worked despite my on and off again attempts to get it working. So no wobbly windows, but lots of space.
Someone else pointed it out, but most netbooks, at least these days, have a VGA out, and most monitors still have a VGA in, so, we're kind of lacking a problem to solve here. Also, the non-solution is half the price of the netbook it's not solving the problem for.
How about instead of "Multi-Monitor For Your Netbook", the title be changed to "Multi-Monitor For Your Very Old Laptop/Macbook Air."
Having a second display on your desk is not the only reason to run a device like this. If you own a net/notebook that doesn't have a vga out how are you going to a run a presentation? Someone may argue that if you are going to make presentations you should get one with a vga already, but what if you inherited the pc via a grant or through the company or just plain preference.
My roommate is a digital/karaoke dj, he sometime has to run multiple display set ups, he does in fact have a vga out but if wants to run a projector for the crowd to see the words or visuals he needs to run something similar.
I think its a good product pricey but good.
If the processor goes up to 95% on a Core 2, what would happen on a nettop? It seems this thing might even be barely usable on a computer powered by an Atom processor.
You guys kidding me?? this thing is expensive crap. There are plenty of other devices like this out there. From companies like evga and such. Those USB to DVI/VGA can be had from 20-50$ normally. This is a complete rip and useless. This ruins the whole point of a netbook anyways, minus well get a cheap laptop..
Matrox had something similar (DualHead2Go or TripleHead2Go) for years now:
http://shopmatrox.com/usa/products [...] 0&Column=2
Matrox had something similar (DualHead2Go or TripleHead2Go) for years now:
http://shopmatrox.com/usa/products [...] 0&Column=2
I've used devices like this in the past. I support a financial software app that was designed for multiple monitors. I've had people buy USB video devices rather than get a multi-port video card. It works fine for MS Office, Web browsing, etc, but once my software gets going, it lags bigtime. Anything that uses a fair amount of graphics spikes the CPU and renders the PC almost unusable. Granted, I haven't used this specific device. These are just my observations on other USB to video devices.
I Have a better idea, why not just have 2 netbooks networked using a software KVM? alright, a couple hundred more than the adaptor, but portable and you dont need to buy another monitor. Problem solved
ViDock is the better but its expensive, 2 external ,monitors running on 4670 connected via express card 2.0 works surprising well. for express slot.
Research the ergonomics of multi-monitor setups before making a purchase. I was running with two monitors for several months and developed chronic neck pain. A week after switching back to a single monitor, the pain is virtually gone. A monitor should be positioned directly in front of your head, and require minimal head motion to view.