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"Overpriced paperweight" on by vjfromnj
Pros: Does a good job of holding your papers down during windstorms.
Cons: Only supports video resolution upto max of 1024x768 w/ max color depth of 16bits
Summary: Bought it mainly for its video capability; before installing it, I was troubled by the fact that the manual was saying max res was 1024x768 and 16bits. After a lengthy installation process, plugged in my monitor and color quality was horrible on my otherwise crisp LCS screen. Returning it ASAP.
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"Simplifies Cords, Some Devices Do Not Work" on by szachary
Pros: Cheap, Easy to Use
Cons: Some devices seem to be incompatible
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"The video quality (the staring feature of this product) doesn't work!" on by orangegray
Pros: Other features connected to USB work normally, but then you can just buy USB ports
Cons: Video does not work. There is a 1-2 second delay which makes watching anything impossible. Customer service was not helpful
Summary: I should have listened to the other reviewers when I bought this. They are all true! I would have saved a lot of frustration. On top of a nonfunctioning station, Targus said I should have dismantled my windows security features before downloading drivers. I asked why they don't say that in the instruction materials and they refused to answer (he didn't know and the manager was unavailable!) Finally, I would have to call them back in order to return it?????
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"mostly worthless!" on by bryanff
Pros: Allows the use of an external monitor as a very expensive picture frame.
Cons: Does not perform in its simplest form as a docking staion.
Summary: As a docking station, I was not able to download pictures from my digital camera or use my printer through its usb connections. Both these items have to be connected directly to my laptop. This bypasses its primary purpose to decrease the amount of components to hook up to my laptop. Targus stated that there are two power ports that should be able to handle these functions, but it did not help.
The second purpose of this particular docking station is its ability to utilize an external monitor. The docking station is unable to transfer the video at a useable speed even in the lowest resolution. The video was not choppy, it was not there at all.
This would, however, allow me to display a still picture while I continued to utilize my laptop's monitor for all other aplications, making my external monitor a very expensive picture frame. -
"Not so bad, not so good" on by tunedguitar
Pros: convenience, function, size, decent performance
Cons: software nits, fussy video driver
Summary: This is the only and only USD replicator I found that did video. The video performance in my in my office it is fine. I am about to buy another for my home.
That being said, the software is a minus. Since installing it, windows haags on shut down and sometimes on startup. The video default is for VERY LOW performance video, so one has to right click on the desktop, select properties, go to settings and adjust the properties of the other monitor. The Targus website is not much help.
The fixes needed are pretty minor, more about decent coding and attitude toward customers more than technology.Updated
Now I've tried both the Kensington and the Targus port replicators.
The video capabilities are different; with Kensington having the edge. For my part, I just don't see that much difference doing office work. Personally I'd prefer both to run at higher screen densities.
Both of these stations are buggy in how they integrate with XP. Both cause my Toshiba laptop to hang on shutdown. Removing the USB connector before shutting down is the only cure I've found. I'd love to hear more ideas from others.
Targus's separate software approach should be better than Kensington's because you can selectively install and uninstall drivers. (both replicators have had driver "issues") So I'd view the separate software as a positive not as a negative as Cnet's reviewer does.
The Targus offers powered USB ports even when the computer is not present. This is a very nice feature for charging cell phones and iPods if your computer is not present.
Both are way cheaper than other multi-monitor solutions. Both work reasonably well. Both need better software. A 6 to each stands.
Targus Universal Notebook Docking Station with Video user reviews
Results 1-5 of 5
Results 1-5 of 5
Where to Buy
MSRP: $149.99
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