Asus Launches the New USB 3.0 HZ-1 Docking Station

By Kevin Parrish
published

This new docking station features HDMI and USB 3.0 connectivity.

Asus and DisplayLink on Wednesday announced the launch of a new USB 3.0 version of the Asus HZ-1 Docking Station. Powered by DisplayLink's SuperSpeed DL-3900 silicon, the gadget integrates graphics, Gigabit Ethernet and audio into one sleek package that saves space on your desktop.

Although Asus didn't supply actual specs, the docking station features DVI, HDMI and VGA ports on the front panel. There's also a Gigabit Ethernet connection, 2.1 audio headphone and microphone jacks, and two USB 3.0 ports – there's also an additional USB 3.0 port on the left and right side of the gadget, one of which is used to connect to a USB 3.0-capable desktop or laptop.

Based on appearance alone, the USB 3.0 is nearly identical to the USB 2.0 HZ-1 Docking Station currently offered on the Asus website. The older version obviously doesn't feature USB 3.0 connectivity, but it also lacks an HDMI port -- the LAN port also only supports 10/100 Ethernet. Overall the gadget is slanted so that users can prop up their laptop while all the ports are facing towards the back.

"By incorporating SuperSpeed graphics technology from DisplayLink, Asus delivers a truly universal docking station catering for everyone, from business users requiring intense multitasking to multimedia-savvy home users. The new USB 3.0 HZ-1 Docking Station expands any notebook, allowing hot-desking, flexibility and the convenience that mobile users need," Asus said on Wednesday.

The new Asus USB 3.0 HZ-1 Docking Station is available worldwide with an MSRP of $179.99. For more information, visit www.asus.com.

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Kevin Parrish
8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • robthatguyx
    seems like an interesting concept but I don't see it selling very well
    Reply
  • Xajel
    I think docking station should only use one cable to the laptop, if that cable is enough to handle every thing needed, currently I think thunderbolt is the technology that can be standardized thought Intel will for sure ask AMD to license it if they want to make it as a standard on their laptops... also USB3 can be used as cheaper alternative to thunderbolt stations.. the positive with thunderbolt is that it can transfer the fully standard DisplayPort signal + PCIe data link also so it's a real uncompressed video signal + some other data room for other ports ( USB, Ethernet, external storage ) this will be perfect for those that want to use only their laptops/ultrabooks as their only system ( no desktop )...
    Reply
  • uglynerdman
    docking
    Reply
  • TeraMedia
    If smart phones had USB 3.0 host ports and enough software support, I wouldn't need to carry a laptop anywhere for work ever again.
    Reply
  • whiteodian
    I work in IT and these are appealing to me, if they work well. We have execs who complain about their 4.5lb laptops so we can buy them ultrabooks and still have a docking station available for their office that will support multi-monitor setup. Lenovo also sells one of these USB 3.0 docking stations. Good to see some more options.
    Reply
  • LukeCWM
    Is this for a tablet or a laptop or what? The article doesn't say!
    Reply
  • razor512
    expensive docking stations for the most part can be replaced by for the most part by getting a simple USB hub where you connect a mouse, keyboard and a few other items, then when you get home or to the office, you simply connect the sungle USB cable for the USB hub, then the monitor cable, then the power cable for the laptop. for most laptops this takes about 5-10 seconds to do and only cost about $5 to do
    Reply
  • joebob2000
    why have a mocking station where you are going to plug/unplug 3 things every time when you can get a docking station for just about any laptop for cheap (under $50)? This solution is for universal application, eliminating the need to have different docks for different users, or to add docking functionality where it lacks (cough, apple, cough).
    Reply