Village Tronic ViBook: Multi-Monitor For Your Netbook

ViBook: What Do You Get?

The ViBook from Village Tronic comes in a classy-looking package, which contains the $129 extender. Also inside is an adapter to connect the ViBook directly to the DVI port of a monitor and a short DVI to VGA adapter cable.  There is a VESA mounting plate that lets you screw the device directly onto the monitor's mounting holes, which are standardized. And if that doesn't work for you, the adapter's mounting plate can be attached using included adhesive strips.

Polished Finish

The ViBook has a rubberised lower surface to prevent it sliding around on the desk when not used with the VESA mounting plate or directly connected to the back of the monitor. Fortunately, the metal housing of the ViBook is finished in a stylish piano black, although this look will result in a few fingerprints when used in mobile conditions. 

Multi-Display Software

Included with ViBook is a driver CD, as well as the VT MultiDisplay software, which is available separately ($49) from Village Tronic. This software bundle facilitates administration of monitor profiles, wallpaper management, and the extension of the Windows desktop across different monitors as required.

ViBook Technical Data

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VillageTronic ViBook
Dimensions:70 mm long44 mm wide24 mm high
Connections:Input: 1 x USB 2.0Output: 1 x DVI-I
Maximum Resolution:1680 x 1050 (16:10)1600 x 1200 (4:3)
3D Support:Windows Aero
Contents:ViBook (1.5m USB cable)DVI->VGA cableDVI Adapter (male/male)VESA bracket2 x screws2 x adhesive padsDriver CDSoftware: VT MultiDisplay
Supported Operating Systems:Windows Vista (32/64 Bit)Windows XP (32-bit)Windows 2000MacOS 10.4 IntelMacOS 10.05 Intel
Supported Features:Hot-Plug, Hot-Unplug, Sleep, Hibernation
Marcel Binder
  • 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
    Reply
  • I'm looking for a similar product but instead of DVI/VGA output I'd like SD TV-out.
    Reply
  • $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!
    Reply
  • 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?
    Reply
  • aspireonelover
    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.
    Reply
  • IronRyan21
    DragonSMPwhat 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.
    Reply
  • 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.
    Reply
  • nine3o
    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.
    Reply
  • mcnuggetofdeath
    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.
    Reply
  • 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."
    Reply