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Toshiba unveils USB-powered second screen for laptops

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 26 Oct 2011 at 09:48

Toshiba has launched a USB-powered secondary screen for laptops that's designed to give mobile workers extra screen space.

The 14in LCD screen offers a resolution of 1,366 x 768, and is powered solely from a USB 2 port, allowing mobile workers to use the second screen on trains, in cafes or anywhere where power sockets are scarce.

The screen weighs 795g - which is marginally heavier than the iPad 2 - and comes with its own carry case, which doubles as an adjustable stand.

As it's powered purely by the USB bus, brightness is restricted to a relatively dim 220cd/m2, with a claimed contrast ratio of 400:1. The display has a claimed response rate of 16ms.

Toshiba has yet to confirm the price of the portable screen, but it will have to be priced competitively to ward off competition from tablets, which can be used as secondary screens with apps such as Air Display - although this does require both laptop and tablet to be connected to a Wi-Fi connection.

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User comments

USB 2

Why have they not made this USB3 as 5Gbps is alot better for screen refresh.

By hadphild on 26 Oct 2011

Dual Screen on Train?

Have they seen the way people are jammed in, there's barely enough room to use a laptop.
USB displays have not been an overridingly successful market sector.
Now if they touch enabled it so that you laid it on top of your laptop to make it a tablet that might almost be interesting.

By milliganp on 26 Oct 2011

It all depends on the pricing but I can see a market for this, particularly with netbooks. Although given my dvd drive takes up two out of three USB ports it would be very handy if this had usb ports in it as well.

By JamesD29 on 26 Oct 2011

Dual screens seem to be a bit of a niche market to begin with and the sort of people who are willing and able to have multiple monitors tend to be the type to be picky about it.

By steviesteveo12 on 27 Oct 2011

nice beginning

I don't see the extra expense for a USB3 connector in generation 1, especially since most existing laptops don't have a USB port, although adding another couple of usb ports would never hurt, and could add to the appeal. the only thing i'm hesitant about it whether i'd want to lug more tech bits around with me on a day to day basis?

By khellan on 27 Oct 2011

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