Review: Toshiba Dynadock U
About a month ago, I bought a Toshiba Dynadock U with Displaylink Technology support built into it. For years, I’ve wanted the ability to have multiple monitor support with a laptop, but products that existed until just recently were sub par in performance and didn’t justify the high cost to purchase them.
How it works
Displaylink, from what I can tell, is doing a great job in partnering with third party vendors such as EVGA, HP, Samsung, LG and Toshiba to name a few to make some pretty neat products that allow you to run multiple monitors on either a desktop or laptop. Now I’ve had the ability to run multiple monitors on my desktop – easy, just install a video card that will support it. But I’ve always wanted to have multiple monitors on my laptop, or my Mac Mini back in the day. The new Mac Mini’s do have built in dual monitor support now, but with Displaylink technology and hardware, you could run up to 7 monitors or more!
The technology is in the Displaylink products. You can do this a number of ways – purchase a Displaylink specific monitor that is USB connection only (the video goes through USB 2.0), or buy an adapter that allows you to use an existing monitor – which is what I did. If you go the route I did, you have the option of purchasing a video adapter only – meaning that you just have to plug in your monitor cable into one end of the device, and plug in the USB cable into your computer – or buy a “dock” like I did that allows you to plug in multiple USB devices as well as your monitor cable. All the devices and monitor are plugged into your laptop or desktop via just ONE USB cable, which is great for clutter and especially since my Macbook only has 2 USB ports (would it hurt you to throw on one or two more USB slots Apple?)
The Toshiba Dynadock U has four additional USB ports on the back of the unit, a connection for either VGA or DVI video monitor, and two additional USB ports on the front. You’re able to get triple monitor – one being your laptop itself, the second being an external monitor connected to your laptop, and the third monitor via the USB cable from the DynadockU via a USB cable.
Toshiba Dynadock U
Performance:
For the OS X side of things, you’ll need the beta drivers, as they haven’t spent as much development time on the Mac drivers as the XP and Windows side of things, though I have to say it worked much better than their Windows 7 Beta drivers that I used when running Windows 7 RC via bootcamp. In OS X, it works great, with the system recognizing the extra display. Just go into System Preferences and align the monitors the way you want them. In Windows 7, it too recognized it without problem, but the performance wasn’t quite as good as I had hoped. Both OS X and Windows are going to have slight issues running high graphics material, there is a lag when dragging items across the USB enabled video, but for those that want to use it for an extra screen for your spreadsheet, chatting, or browsing, it works great. Of course, both OS X and Windows 7 drivers are beta right now, so I fully expect the team at Displaylink to get those more polished as time goes by. The XP stable drivers work great from what I can tell, I just don’t use XP at the moment on a daily basis.
Check out the Displaylink Video here for a demonstrations.
Conclusion:
If you have have a need or want the ability to run more than one additional monitor, definitely check out the Displaylink products. I’d highly recommend the Toshiba Dynadock U though if you have multiple USB devices that you use on a regular basis. It’s nice not having to constantly plug USB devices in and out as I need to use them.
If you need any help or recommendation, let me know and I’d be glad to help.
If anyone else has experience with Displaylink products, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
UPDATE:
If you’re having issues with any DisplayLink products (including the Toshiba Dynadock U) after installing 10.5.7 in OS X, read DisplayLink’s statement on it. I did notice that after the 10.5.7 software update, and after a reboot, the USB monitor was acting a bit strange. Just uninstall and reinstall as they say and you should be all set.
I’ve also tried the Toshiba Dynadock U and love it! Using it with Windows XP and it works great. I’m using two 22″ Dell Ultrasharps with a Macbook Pro and have all the real estate one could ever need!
I’m really liking it so far!
Looks like a sweet setup and appears to be working well so far. I’m interested in seeing how the performance is over time through upgrades from the beta version etc. When I make the switch to a MAC I would like to run the same setup. I expected a bit more out of the capabilities of windows 7 to handle this. What type of stand are you using to hold your MacBook?
Yeah, I’m guessing the upcoming drivers will provide for better performance. However, they are just beta, and don’t forget so is Windows 7, so can’t knock them too much for that.
The laptop stand is made by Griffin, called the Griffin Elevator Stand. Pretty cheap, works great.
Hi,
I just purchased a Toshiba Dynadock U for my Fujitsu laptop. This laptop will replace my desktop. The dock will be useful in using my display and ergonomic keyboard. But I also want to be able to just leave the laptop closed up, and power it on/off via the dock. I don’t know how to do it, or if it can be done. Do you know if that can be done?
Leaving your computer on with the lid shut should be able to be done via the power settings in Windows. However, to actually turn on the laptop on and off via the Toshiba Dynadock U Universal Docking Station is not possible, I do not believe. One way you could sort of do that is if you put your computer to “sleep” instead of shutting it down, and could wake it up via your mouse or keyboard. However, full control over the on and off via the Toshiba Dynadock U, I do not believe will be possible.
Amazon reviewers mentioned that if you have non-displaylink monitors (i.e. conventional monitors) and you want a dual display (2 external monitors) one of the monitors can plug into the dynadock and the other has to be plugged into the laptop itself. Your review mentioned being able to use a usb to vga (or dvi) adapter to get around this limitation. Is that true? What adapter did you purchase that definitely works?
Mike:
The Toshiba Dynadock U allows you to plug in a DVI or VGA monitor into the docking station itself. You then plug in the USB cable from the Dynadock U into your laptop or desktop and the video travels via the USB cable. I also have an external monitor connected via the mini display port on my Macbook. With the laptop screen, that gives me three screens total. No additional adapter was needed in my setup. Hope that helps.
How does it act with a 22″ widescreen running at 1680×1050 ? Is it very sluggish or noticeable ?
Mike:
I haven’t had any problems on the 22″, but that monitor IS connected via the Macbook itself, and not through the Dynadock.
Are the Ethernet and audio ports working on the Mac?
Yup, haven’t had any issues with the sound or Ethernet with my Mac.
I have been able to find any reviews about this dock and Windows Vista 64 bit. Does anyone know if it is compatible?
Sorry that should say not find any reviews.
I can’t say for sure Kayle, but I do know that it works great with Windows 7 in 64 Bit. Based on that, I would assume Vista 64 would be just fine.
I want to use 2 external monitors and keed my toshiba satelite laptop closed. One monitor is hooked up to the dynadock, the other to the back of the laptop. I pick the dynadock graphic setting in display settings, choose the extend desktop monitors and it works fine until the computer hiberates. When it wakes up it changes the display settings and I get a “mirrored display” on the external monitors and it also adds “attaches” the laptop screen as a 3rd monitor even though its closed. Any suggestions?
Dave:
I’ve heard that happens with Windows, and I’ve seen it happen when I try to use my Macbook and Windows 7. Doesn’t seem to be an issue when I’m on the OS X side of things- seems to remember where it left off on the Mac side. For the windows, I’ve seen the same issue, only when it goes to sleep. It appears to remember when I turn it off completely though. If I find a solution to your Windows problem, I’ll post it here.
I just received a 15″ MacBook Pro and swicthed from my PC. I had a dock with my PC, and having all the cables hanging of the Mac that I need to unplug is a real hassle. It also only has two USB ports, which is actually unbelieveable in this day and age (*in a bad way). Will this dock work on a MacBook Pro running OS X 10.6.2, meaning all the ports; video, ethernet, audio? Thanks in advance!
Hi Frank:
Yup – the Dynadock should work just fine with the Macbook Pro. I agree that only having two USB ports on your previous dock is unbelievable nowadays, now that most peripherals are using the USB standard.
The Dynadock U has been a great way to bundle all your USB, video, eithernet and audio connections into one USB cable that connects to your Macbook pro.
@Nick: Just to clarify Frank’s question, do you know if the dock will fully work (all the ports) with Snow Leopard (10.6)?
I’m using Snow Leopard on my Macbook and haven’t had any problems with any of the ports.
where do I find the drivers for OSX? I found the Displaylink drivers, but I can not find one for the acutal dynadock.
I’m not sure if there are actual drivers for the device, I’ve only ever had to use the Displaylink drivers to make it work.
Thanks for responding! We are having trouble using the Ethernet port on the docking station, and closing the lid on the Mac without it going to sleep. You experience any of these issues?
I’ll have to check that out, currently I use my wifi on my Macbook and also keep the monitor open as an additional display
I am using this on a Mac (10.5.8) and all of the ports seem to work except the from headphone port. The port works fine on a PC. Did any of the mac users that say all the ports work fine have to do anything to get the front audio port (headphone) to work?
I haven’t had to do anything, though I do use the headphone jack on my laptop itself rather than through the Dynadock U.
I need help desperately. Can someone please help with my mouse lag using the Dynadock – I hate this thing, especially since my old Dell docking station worked so well. Here are the pertinent facts:
-I have a new HP Pavilion dm4 laptop with Core I5 processor
-System works great with a wireless mouse, use either a logictech or ms depending on where I am working. Meaning when I am using the laptop screen and keyboard.
-When I attempt to use a Dynadock port replicator/docking station from Toshiba and my new 23″ Samsung LCD monitor I get mouse lag.
-It’s not terrible, i.e., it doesn’t freeze up, but it’s just enough delay to drive me nuts as it not as quick or precise. I can best describe it as “floating” when I move my mouse pointer.
I assumed it is likely due to the Dynadock, but I also connected my wireless mouse directly to the laptop and kept the monitor running through the dock, but still had problems
Is there any fix for this? Is it the dock, the monitor, or is there an adjustment setting I can change?
Please advise, before I jump off the bridge.
Thank you!
Which operating system are you using? Are you using the proper 32 bit or 64 bit drivers for DisplayLink?
Ugh! I have the toshiba dynadock U
But can not get it to work with my macbook pro
Toshiba tech support says there are no drivers for the mac os
Help Please!
I just got a Dynadock U after reading splendid reviews.
I am running OS X 10.6.4 (64-bit). I only installed the DisplayLink 1.6 beta driver from their site (Toshiba’s install CD isn’t for Mac).
After plugging everything in, everything seemed to work as described: video on my Macbook Pro display was smooth, less smooth on the Dynadock display. However, expose is choppy on all displays. Anybody else experiencing this?
Also, you said audio works fine. After going into sound preferences and choosing USB Sound Device, it does “work” for me, but it sounds like a tin can. It is hollow sounding with no bass. When I plug my 2.1 speakers directly into my MBP’s audio out, it sounds great.
I’m not sure if it’s OS X’s built in USB audio driver that sucks, or the Dynadock’s 3.5mm audio out.
Hi Jason,
I use a Macbook Pro and haven’t had any issues. I use a 13″ MBP.
Ty:
I do notice that expose is a bit choppy on the third monitor that is powered via USB through the Dynadock U. I haven’t noticed any real lag on my Macbook Pro or the second monitor attached via the mini display port.
As for the sound, it might depend on which speakers you’re using? Mine seems to be ok.
Nick,
What did you install with the Dynadock? I only installed the drivers from DisplayLink. Was there anything else I needed to install? Did your 13″ MBP auto detect the USB sound device?
My speakers sound perfectly awesome when connected to my Mac’s audio out, but terrible when connected to the Dynadock.
I just got an new 15″ MBP, and tried to use the dynadock U. Everything seems to be well working except sound. When I plgug my speaker into dynadock, I cannot hear anything on my Mac with maximum volume. But on windows7 (bootcamp), sound is also fine well.
I don’t the reason why only sound is not working in OSX 10.6.6 although “USB sound device” is detected.
Are you using the latest DisplayLink software? Haven’t had any issues, but I’m not using the Dynadock U for the sound feature though, using the native hardware for that.
I connected a Del laptop to the dynadock u and loved it, except recently my audio has disappeared. The dynadock seems to be set up to disable laptop audio and run it through itself. Would appreciate any insights on what to do to to stop this.
Thanks!
I’m having problems with the Toshiba Dynadock. Using Windows 7 64bit. I’m connecting a DVI and VGA to the back of the docking station and they are mirrored when you use the software. It says there are no monitors. I’ve downloaded the latest software. Any suggestion? Maybe I’m doing something wrong.
Did you try updating to the latest update?
I’ve noticed that Windows 7 has some issues with the 64 Bit, I’ve just had to unplug, restart and try it again. Though most of the time I”m using a mac with it.
Can you confirm if the Dynadock works in Lion? I keep getting a kernel panic when plugging it in on a freshly installed Early 2011 MBP 15 inch.
Bobby – using Lion now seems to be working for me just fine.
Nick- I just tried the latest DisplayLink drivers. It worked fine the first time, however, I noticed the green light on my dock just kept blinking and blinking. I unplugged it (Do you need to use the eject button?) and went to plug it back in a few minutes later. The Mac locked up entirely- no response from keyboard or mouse and I was forced to do a hard shutdown.
I had this issue before with the beta drivers and I assumed it was because they were in beta still.
Are you having any issues, or do you have any advice for me?
THANKS.
-Bobby