TRENDnet Launches USB 3.0 Docking Station
Looking for a cool dock for your laptop? TRENDnet may have what you're looking for in the just-released TU3-DS2. The device features a vertical "space-saving" design, USB 3.0 connectivity, and means to expand your working environment without the need to purchase extra expensive hardware.
The specifications show that the new dock provides one DVI/VGA port and one HDMI port on the back, allowing users to expand their visual workspace by adding two more 1080p HD displays. The dock also includes four USB 2.0 ports on the back for adding a mouse, keyboard, wireless modem, external Blu-ray burner, and other peripherals that would normally hog the ports of a laptop or desktop.
The front of the device also includes two USB 3.0 ports with transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, which is great for devices like external hard drives, optical drives, and so on that support the SuperSpeed technology. A single USB 3.0 port resides on the back, which connects to a USB port on a desktop or laptop. USB 3.0 isn't a requirement, but it is ideal if you're going to expand the visual desktop.
TRENDnet's new dock also provides a Gigabit Ethernet port on the back and speaker and microphone ports on the front. "Full 5.1 audio channel support is provided to the connected HDMI display. Analog audio headphone ports on the front of the docking station override HDMI display audio," states the product page.
As a comparison, Diamond Multimedia actually provides something similar but at a lower price: the DS3900 Ultra Dock. For $99, this dock is DisplayLink certified and provides two USB 3.0 ports on the front and four USB 2.0 ports on the back. Also mounted on the back are HDMI and DVI/VGA ports for adding two screens, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a USB 3.0 port that plugs into a laptop or desktop. A headphone/microphone jack resides on the front as well.
TRENDnet's new USB 3.0 docking station is available now for $184.99.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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Kevin Harrelson The thing that honks me off about these products is that the almost always lack support for high-res monitors! What if you have 2560x1600? It won't drive that at full resolution. The DisplayLink chipset supports that size, but you need to install one more RAM chip, driving the cost up by maybe $2. Especially with 4K displays becoming affordable, this situation is almost inexcusable. The people most likely to buy a product like this are also the ones most likely to invest in a larger monitor.Reply -
bootsattheboar Has Trendnet improved their build quality at all? My experience with them is from godawful webcams, network switches, and other peripherals people at work constantly bought because they were cheapest.Reply