Digital Trends

Larger Image | More Images

Kensington's new Notebook Expansion Dock with Video will push 17- and 19-inch monitors via USB - plus speakers, Ethernet, and more USB peripherals.

If you've ever been frustrated by your notebook's video output capabilities (and if you're thinking "what video output capabilities?!" keep reading) Kensington may have the solution for you in the form of its not-so-elegantly named Notebook Expansion Dock with Video.

Despite the clunky monicker, the product has an unassailably cool feature: you connect it to your laptop or notebook computer via USB, and then connect a desktop-sized monitor to the expansion dock. Ta-da! Suddenly you're driving a desktop-sized 17 or even 19-inch monitor at resolutions up to 1280 by 1024 pixels without having to spring for a new graphics controller (or, more likely, a new notebook). Plug-and-play technology automatically configures the best available monitor settings.

The Notebook Expansion Dock with video also provides output for Ethernet and speakers, and (being a USB peripheral itself) also provides connectivity for additional USB devices (like, say, a real keyboard and mouse). If you want to snuggle the dock under your notebook to conserve desk space, the dock's angled wedge-like design is intended to enable airflow under the notebook to assist cooling.

The Notebook Expansion Dock with Video is available now and carries a retail price of $179.99. Curiously, Kensington provides no system requirements or technical information about the product (we're guessing Windows-only, folks), so if it doesn't work with your system...maybe take advantage of the one-year warranty?