CeBIT 2007: Belkin docks into the laptop Express

 

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By Barry Collins in Hanover

Posted on 15 Mar 2007 at 18:00

Belkin has launched what it claims is the industry's first laptop docking station to plug into the ExpressCard slot, amongst a bevy of new products at CeBIT.

The Belkin High-Speed Dock Station offers a plethora of connections including DVI and VGA ports, five USB 2.0 ports, and three Audio Line-out (including 5.1 surround Sound) ports, amongst others.

The company claims that utilising the ExpressCard slot provides sufficient bandwidth for running DVD-quality video, without sacrificing throughput to other USB 2.0 devices. The dock will cost around £140 and will be available from June.

The company had a series of innovative hubs on display, including a four-port USB device that neatly clips to the side of the desk, and another four-port hub that fits neatly in the circular cable well found on most office desks. Another two-part hub provides seven ports for laptop owners when they're sat at their desk, and a detachable four-port hub for when they leave the office.

Belkin is also moving into the surge protection market, with two new products. The Concealed Surge Protector provides a flip-up metal cover over the plug sockets, so that children's fingers or inquisitive pets don't get a nasty shock. The Compact Surge Protector, meanwhile, is a smaller device with three plug sockets on each side, designed to save space. They cost £5 and £25 respectively.

Finally, the company claims most bizarre new product of the show so far with a waterproof mouse. The company says it's designed to survive splashes when used in the kitchen. All well and good, but what about the PC it's connected to? Back to the drawing board, we say.

Visit www.pcpro.co.uk/html/cebit/ to view our full coverage of the show.