Targus USB 2.0 Docking Station with Video ACP51USZ Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm an I.T. Professional and will try to review this item from the perspective of an average computer user. I bought a new Dell Inspiron Laptop running Windows 7, Dell 21.5 inch monitor, Logitech wireless mouse & keyboard, and this Targus USB docking station.
My very first attempt to set up the device went like this: I followed the instructions by installing the software that was included with the device first, then rebooted, then attached my laptop to the Targus USB docking station. The result: Audio, network, and wireless devices worked. The display on my monitor worked except when I launched a video game called "World of Warcraft." Once I launched the video game, the display became blurry and the text illegible.
I spent about two hours troubleshooting this issue. I finally found out that the Targus website has, what it considers, the very latest software that controls the audio, networking, and USB components of the Targus docking station. However, the displaylink.com website has, what it considers, the very latest graphics software for the Targus device. So in short, I had to go to two different places to find the correct software for my Windows 7 computer.
Now here's where things started to really frustrate me about this device. Once I installed the latest graphics software for the Targus docking station and relaunched the game "World of Warcraft," the display worked perfectly but I lost my networking. So, I spent another hour trying to figure out what happened to the networking component of the docking station. Finally, I gave up and decided to start all over again by completely removing all the displaylink software and reinstalling it. This took me another 30 minutes or so. Once I reinstalled all the software (which included both pieces from the two different locations I mentioned earlier), the networking component of the docking station still did not work.
So I went back to the Targus website and found something called the "Corporate Only Windows 7 Ethernet Driver." Now, I'm not 100% sure what "Corporate Only" means but if I had to guess, usually a corporate listed software install has some additional corporate related security additions to the software but it should function normally otherwise. So I downloaded this driver and installed it. Rebooted. Now all the components of the Targus USB docking station work.
Summary: My job is to repair computer problems for a corporation I work for 5 days a week. The process I had to go through to get this Targus USB docking station to work was tedious, frustrating, and time consuming. I can't imagine how much time and effort it would take the average computer user to get this device to work properly (and as promised by the advertising for this device). After my experience with trying to get this device to function properly, I'm not surprised to see other reviewers here have varying problems with one or more of the components in this docking station. My suggestion is to look for another device and skip this one all together. In retrospect, I should have looked at the Kensington USB docking station with video.
I hope that this review helps others.

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The Targus USB 2.0 Docking Station with Video is a USB based docking station with video output capability.The "One Touch" interface enables users to quickly connect to an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, speakers or other peripherals often used at home or in the office.The docking station provides an ergonomic tilt for a comfortable typing angle and also keeps the laptop elevated, providing ventilation while in use.The device features two "always on" USB ports which allow users to power or charge peripherals such as a Blackberry, iPhone/iPodor camera even if the laptop is powered down or in sleep mode.The Targus Docking Station with Video allows users to make the most of their workspace with an easy connection and seamless connectivity for all of your accessories.

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Kensington Universal Notebook Docking Station with VGA/DVI - sd300v Review

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(More customer reviews)If you have a MacBook Pro, you can connect a monitor to the notebook via an inexpensive adapter. This Kensington dock product allows you to connect a second monitor to the notebook so that you have a total of three screens including the notebook screen.
If you follow these instructions, then this device works fine with the latest (April 2010 refresh) MacBook Pro notebooks running 10.6.3.
1. Buy and set up the dock but DO NOT INSTALL THE SOFTWARE THAT COMES WITH IT
2. Download the 64-bit driver (currently a beta) from DisplayLink and install it:
[...]
The 32-bit driver (which is not a beta) will work fine on Snow Leopard unless you need a portrait mode (screen rotation). The 64-bit driver fixes that. I'm running 1200x1920 (the max resolution) in portrait mode with no problems.
Previous to this, I was using ScreenRecycler, which is a lot slower. The video speed of this dock isn't "native", but it's acceptable for browsing and word processing, and it even runs YouTube fine in windowed mode (but NOT in full-screen mode -- you can see the lag).

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Universal USB Docking Station

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Targus ACP50US Universal Notebook Docking Station with Video Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a TC1100 tablet PC which has a fairly small screen. The docking station that came with my tablet wasn't the right one, but I didn't give it a second thought because I never used the computer in a docking station environment. However, I have decided that I would like to set up my tablet with an extra LCD monitor that I have lying around. The docking station from HP is quite pricy, so I started searching and found the Targus universal docking station.
I read the other reviews about this product and went straight to the website to download the newest drivers instead of the using the drivers on the packaged CD. I installed the drivers BEFORE plugging in the docking station (this is required). Once the drivers were installed and the computer rebooted, I tried it out and . . .
was pleasently suprised. I am actually typing this review using the external monitor hooked up to the docking station. When starting programs and other things on the external monitor, there is a framerate drop, but once things get started and settled, the lag goes away.
I started up several different programs and was happy with the results until I opened a game that requires DirectX. It wouldn't start, giving me an error that said my video card did not support this.
I suspect the problem that other people were having with this docking station stems from the bit rate associated with USB 1.0 vs. 2.0. A video setup on an older computer probably had a 33MHz bus speed running 16 bits or about 528 Mbps. USB 1.0 is a mere 10 Mbps and USB 2.0 is roughly 400 Mbps. I don't know what the Targus docking station uses as far as bus speeds and bus width, but I would suspect the people that were having terrible lag were using USB 1.0.
Overall: This is a pretty cool and inovative device in that it can add a monitor and multiple ports to ANY laptop. There are some stipulations though. One is that you won't be using the emulated monitor to play DirectX games (I suspect movies might have problems also). Office applications, web browsing, and any other non-graphics intensive applications will work just fine. Two is that you will definately want to have USB 2.0. Three is to download the drivers off the Targus website and skip the packaged CD.
In the end I will probably return this product and just get a port replicator without video. I will just plug in the the port replicator and the monitor, instead of just a port replicator. That way I can take advantage of my video card built into my laptop instead of emulating a lesser video card it.

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Targus ACP50US Universal Notebook Docking Station - with Video

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Kensington sd100s Notebook Docking Station with Stand K60721US Review

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(More customer reviews)First off, I recently purchased a Dell M1530 laptop with Vista 32bit Ultimate. Unfortunately the computer does not come with a standard docking station, which I would have preferred as you can sit it down and be done. With the M1530 about 1" stick out on either side of the station but it works and looks fine. I also have the 9 cell battery which sticks out a bit in the back of the laptop and it still just fits without pressing any of the keys in the front which was another concern of mine, for normal laptops up to 1.5" thick or maybe even 2" you should be ok its just harder to slide the laptop in and out. But I'm convinced with some practice it will be no problem, I did knock off a key the first time when I was not being cautious but luckily it popped right back on.
I was looking for the next best thing, I didn't want to use an external monitor as that would add to clutter. Despite reading the other reviews citing issues with drivers I went ahead and purchased. Once it arrived I inserted the Windows Vista CD it came with and then plugged in the USB cord. It installed the driver (I believe only took the Ethernet driver off the CD) and internet/USB devices were working. Didn't notice any speed slowdown with the internet and I tested speed before/after the docking station. I nervously plugged in my speakers to the docking station but they also worked perfectly. NOTE: By default in Vista your laptop will use the new "USB Speakers" if they are connected, but you can change this simply by right clicking the speaker icon on bottom right of your taskbar, clicking playback devices, and setting your laptop speakers as default and then restarting the media program you are using.
So now I arrive home, put my laptop in the stand (this is the awkward part - for side-entry the best way is to slide it in without going deeper than the mousepad, then once its centered lower it until it hits the bottom - for top-entry its much more simple as you can just lower it from the top but my desk has a roof) and connect power/USB and I'm done. Though it is a bit odd looking its highly functional and kinda cool. The note holding is also very handy and my IR remote works nicely through the plastic at the bottom.

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Convert your laptop into a desktop instantly.Slip your notebook into the SmartFit stand, plug in a single USB cable, and you're ready to enjoy the ergonomics and productivity of a desktop. With the Kensington sd100s Notebook Docking Station, you can connect multiple peripherals to your notebook with just one plug.Plus you never have to shut down your notebook to connect the dock or change peripherals. The built-in copyholder positions documents in line with the screen for easier viewing, and the black translucent front cover allows you to operate your notebook multimedia IR remote.Designed with a unique wedge shape to raise your notebook and help promote cooling. The sd100s offers five nicely spaced USB 2.0 ports to allow you to connect multiple USB devices such as a printer, external hard drive, or ipod to your notebook computer.The USB ports are always-on, meaning they are powered even when your notebook is turned off or disconnected, so you can charge your iPod or Smartphone even when you're not working.Kensington limited 18 month warranty.

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