@Sven:

Also, with regards to how they compare, they are all built on the same DisplayLink chip, though there's probably some variation on how the hardware and PCB are built, depending on the source factory.

@Sven:

According to mfg specs, this version will support full 32-bit color at up to 1600x1200 or 1680x1050 with 59 or 60hz refresh rates.

@Rick:

Since it's about the only way to add a usable monitor (there are older versions of the same thing that give you a VGA port, but frankly, the technology just wasn't there - screen movement was slow and choppy and the response time was just... well, it was ugly) to a laptop, I'd say yes. That is, of course, unless you have a laptop-specific docking station with an additional video out.

There's also a Belkin ExpressCard docking station, but the performance isn't as good (it's not bad, I'm using it right now, but not *as* good) as the DisplayLink solution. It also runs about $210, and if you don't need the extra ports, it's not worth it.

@whatishalo?

My guess is no. Most cat5 extenders you can get under $500 only support USB 1.1 and this thing definitely needs 2.0's bandwidth for it's throughput. Now if that USB extender you've got laying around is 2.0... that's a different story.

Yeah - my guess by what they mean about Mac compatibility is that you won't need any type of hardware upgrade to use it with a Mac when the drivers come out on the 31st. Additionally, if you're using VMware, you can run one of these under Windows on a Mac (according to one of our customers). If you want to see these things running multi-display, check it out on our page here:

http://addamonitor.com

I know DisplayLink's technology is good (since we use it in another product that just got featured here). I think a better solution would just be an active USB extension cable with the USB DVI External Video Card.

****shameless plug alert*****shameless plug alert******
You can get those here:
http://sewelldirect.com/usb2extensioncable.asp
And here:
http://sewelldirect.com/USB-to-DVI-External-Video-Card-High-Resolution.asp

According to DisplayLink (who makes the chip inside), Mac compatibility is just down the road. The best estimate I've gotten from them is Q2 of 2008. And it will be a glorious day.

Boy, you know you're out of the loop when you look at it thinking "That does look familiar, kind of like a speak'n'spell..."

Yeah, I saw these guys down at EHX last year. They promise their custom installers 40-50 points and I think their base models run $10k ish. So, yeah, just buy two drives...

We've actually got this product up for preorder below MSRP on our site @ SewellDirect.

http://sewelldirect.com/Gefen-Wireless-USB.asp

Personal note: I don't see every day applications for the hub, necessarily (so what, I can use my USB feet warmers from 150 feet? (that's a joke...)), but I'm *really* looking forward to when UWB gets integrated into other portable devices, like cell phones, etc.