What is It:
The Notebook Expansion Dock requires one-plug connectivity to your laptop and uses ExpressCard technology. This notebook dock has a slim vertical design so that it sits beside your notebook, rather than underneath it.
How Does It Work:
The Notebook Expansion Dock uses convection to minimize heat buildup from the GPU of the dock and provides a safe means to working. This notebook dock uses ExpressCard techonology rather than a USB connection. This connection works at 2.0Gbps. It is a highspeed connection for your notebook and external accessories which doesn't drain USB bandwidth.
What Does It Do:
Increase the working capabilities of your notebook to take advantage of external hard drives or accessories. It has 5 USB ports, two of which are to-load for easy access with thumb drives. VGA and DVI ports for high-resolution video output. 5.1 surround-sound with optical or 3.5mm outputs. It also includes 10/100Mbps Ethernet access.
Compatibility:
Requires Windows Vista or XP and notebook must be equipped with an ExpressCard port.
Availability:
Late November for North America. Asia, Europe and Australia to follow shortly after that.
Pricing:
MSRP $199.99 (US)
Just My Opinion:
This is a great new product, especially when mobile workers need to use a variety of external accessories but don't want to keep connecting and disconnecting everything each time they move their laptop.
Another nice feature of the Belkin Expansion Dock is the compact size, if you need to travel with it there should be no problems with packing this in a laptop case.
Update 06.04.07
A visitor to the site has shared that the Belkin Highspeed Expansion Dock does not work as advertised. It is not compatible with Microsoft Vista as it doesn't support the Aero feature.
As I've not had the chance to review this item yet, I did a quick search to find out what others have to say and found that that the reviews are not flattering. The biggest complaint is that it doesn't work with Vista and for many this was one reason they purchased it. Overall, most people think it's a great idea but just not ready for real use.
Update 09.08.07
I've been informed by a visitor that Belkin has made available a driver for Windows Vista for this and it works very well. The driver can be found here: Vista Driver for Belkin High-Speed Dock