Targus ExpressCard™ Notebook Docking Station

I've been shopping for a universal docking station that supports video and 5.1 audio for quite a while. I recently purchased an Asus A8Js and was going to pick up one of the Belkin ExpressCard™ docks because it has DVI but from everything I've read, it's nothing more than an expensive USB hub/paperweight.

The Targus ExpressCard™ Docking Station ( ACP60US)was listed in this News Bits thread and it was briefly discussed in this thread but I have not been able to find a review anywhere.

According to the specs, the max resolution is 1600x1200 and my 20" Dell is 1680x1050. After reading through the user guide from the Targus site, it does in fact support WSXGA+ (1680x1050) with 32 bit color at up to 70Hz. I'm very tempted to order it because it has everything I'm looking for and it's only $160.99 at Amazon right now.

Does anyone have this dock, or does anyone know of a site that has a review of it?

 

I don't think anyone has got their hands on one yet, but as soon as they do, a review will be forthcoming.

 

I have the A8JP, but it is almost identical to the A8JS. There is a DVI output already built in to the laptop and also a SPDIF output. Is there any reason you are looking for a docking station?

 

Good question. I use the DVI port on the back of the Asus now but that's not the only thing I need to plug in. When I use the notebook at my desk at home, I need to plug in the following:

• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Printer
• Ethernet
• iPod
• 1 to 2 Flash Drives

In addition to the above, I want to use my 5.1 surround sound speakers. This is currently not possible. I'm forced to use either the built in Asus speakers or my small Logitech iPod speakers through the headphone jack.

I'm looking for a dock that will give me the experience of a desktop while using a laptop. I want to plug all that stuff into the dock so I only have one item to plug into the notebook. This also frees up the USB ports on the notebook.

I'm going to take one for the team and order one of these tomorrow. The review will come in the not so distant future. Let's hope it's better than the Belkin.

 

I've been looking for something like this for a while. I'd be interested to hear your experiences with if if/when you get it.

So keep us posted!
Shanx

 

I placed the order today so the review should come as early as next weekend. Stay tuned...

 

Has it came in yet?

 

No, unfortunately something came up and I had to cancel the order. I still have it in my cart at amazon and plan to submit the order again as early as this weekend.

Sorry for the delay; I'm pretty anxious to get it myself.

 

Targus sent us one, Tiffany has it and the review is here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1846599

Please post specific questions there and we'll try to answer them.