First look: Toshiba Dynadock U3.0 and 15.6” USB monitor

Toshiba will launch new model of its Dynadock laptop docking station with USB 3.0 in the next few months.

Toshiba Dynadock U3.0

The Dynadock U3.0 sports a similar upright design to earlier models, but the addition of USB 3.0 means it can support one external monitor with a resolution up to 2560 x 1600, or two with resolutions up to 2048 x 1152.

Any laptop can be used with the dock and a single laptop-to-dock USB connection provides the port replication features, although the full set are only available with USB 3.0.

The mains-powered dock also provides Sleep-and-Charge for mobile devices, along with HDMI and DVI ports, four USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet and 5.1 audio sockets.

Toshiba's less catchily named 15.6" USB Mobile LCD Monitor is, obviously, a 15.6" monitor that connects to a laptop via a single USB port.

Toshiba 15.6” USB Mobile LCD Monitor

Toshiba 15.6” USB Mobile LCD Monitor

Although the monitor can be used to extend a laptop Desktop, it's really intended for use as a portable secondary display for presentation purposes and the USB connection is also sufficient for video playback.

Toshiba 15.6” USB Mobile LCD Monitor

Toshiba 15.6” USB Mobile LCD Monitor

The monitor has a 1366 x 768 resolution and 220 nits brightness, which is hardly dazzling but perfectly adequate considering that both power and image is supplied over a single USB 2.0 connection.

The monitor measures 380 x 250 x 160mm and weighs a mere 1.6kg including its combined carry case/desktop stand.

The Toshiba Dynadock will cost around 108 ex VAT when it launches in the UK in Q2; pricing for the 15.6" USB Mobile LCD Monitor has yet to be announced.

Verdict