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So yesterday we took a look at a very
nice USB to VGA/DVI and HDMI Graphics adapter, today I thought I'd
post another review of a similar product. This one is direct from
DisplayLink, it's the DVI/VGA USB Graphics Adapter. Like the one I
looked at yesterday, it features the ability to add another display
to your system via USB. So let's just jump right on in...
Product
Name: DisplayLink
DVI / VGA USB Graphics Adapter
Author: Kristofer
Brozio
Sponsor: DisplayLink
Tech
Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
DisplayLink
DVI / VGA USB Graphics Adapter
Features:
* Up to 6 USB to DVI Adapters
can be used on one computer.
* DVI-I output, connect both a
VGA display and or a DVI display.
* Supports all output
resolutions from 640x480 up to 1600x1200
Specifications:
* Dimensions: 3.4" W x
0.7" H x 2.3" D
* USB connector: mini-USB
female
* DVI connector: DVI-I 29-pin
female
Price: $125 (Depending where
you look, and what brand)
A
Better Look at Things:
The DisplayLink DVI / VGA USB
Graphics Adapter arrived to me in a plain white box, inside was a
plastic bag that held everything including USB cable, driver/software
disc, DVI to VGA adapter and some assorted documentation.
 
The DVI / VGA USB Graphics Adapter
is basically a small box with a DVI connection on one end and a
mini-USB Connection on the other.
 
 
Installation,
Testing and Comparison:
Like the one I took a look at
yesterday, installation is easy, just install the software and then
plug it into your computer and plug a display into the unit.
Here again I used my Acer Aspire
One netbook and hooked it up to my Vizio 47” HDTV via the VGA port
on the back.
 
I did run into one small problem,
the VGA adapter doesn't actually connect to the unit, the screws are
two small for them to reach the nuts on the DisplayLink device. Not
that big of a deal really since you most likely won't be moving the
unit around once it's plugged in, but still it would be nice if it
was a secure connection.
Using it for general stuff like
surfing the web, word processing etc is fine, you just can't use it
for graphically intensive applications especially games, little games
work fine though.
As for resolutions, for some
reason it wouldn't let me use the highest one, I could only use up to
1200x600. My TV is HD, so it goes up to 1920 x 1080, and the unit is
supposed to go up to 1600x1200, and according to specs for my TV is
can accept 1280x1024, along with other resolutions. Not sure why it
didn't work.
The DisplayLink adapter averages
around $125 depending where you look, the one I looked at yesterday
sold for $70, and it included an HDMI adapter as well, so it's clear
which is the better choice I would think.
Summary
and Comments:
The DisplayLink DVI / VGA USB
Graphics Adapter is a bit high priced for what you get, especially
comparing it to one that also includes an HDMI adapter that sells for
only $70.
I'm not sure why it wouldn't
output the higher resolutions, the software was updated to the
current version, but yet it wouldn't work for me.
The product though, overall is a
nice, quick and easy solution to adding an external monitor to your
laptop, netbook or PC.
DragonSteelMods gives the DVI /
VGA USB Graphics Adapter a 3.5 out of 5 score.
Pros:
+Very easy to use
+Seems well made
+Works fine for general uses
Cons:
-High price
-Limited connectivity options
-Limited resolutions
-VGA adapter doesn't actually
connect to unit
I
would like to thank Displaylink for the chance to review the DVI
/ VGA USB Graphics Adapter and for their support of DSM.
review# 589
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