Get a FREE fully-working copy of Steganos Security Suite 7 (worth £49.99) when you sign up to the Practical PC Newsletter. Review: Belkin Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Docking Station
Don Bradbury looks at a useful multi-purpose docking device
| Product | USB 2.0 Docking Station |
|---|---|
| Company | Belkin |
| Web | www.belkin.com |
| Price | £69.99 inc VAT |
| We like | |
| We don't like | |
| Rating | 9/10 |
| Requirements |
Whatever the specification of your PC, there may be times when a multi-port docking station will find a use. For example, you may have a perfectly serviceable parallel port printer to press into service on a computer offering only USB connectivity (the norm these days), or a scanner, external hard drive, display unit, you name it.
These days, USB connectivity may be the thing, and there's much to be said for that - though USB is not without its downsides - but connecting useable, even necessary items of hardware that are not compatible with USB still presents a problem.
Here, a docking station based around fast USB 2.0 connectivity is what you must consider, and Belkin offer just the thing with this rather swish device. It takes up little desk space, and its twin cables, which are both permanently attached, are all you need to set it up - apart from the power lead.
Giving you an RS232 (serial) port suitable for mouse, modem, PDA, scanner or GPS receiver; one full speed bi-directional parallel port for IEEE 1284-compatible printers; a VGA pass-through port suitable for connecting a desktop monitor; one 10Base-T-100Base-T Ethernet port (in high speed mode only); and twin 500mA self-powered USB 2.0 ports suitable for any USB peripheral; the station brings useful connectivity to the front of your computer. Or you can hide it all behind the PC if you prefer. And virtually any PC from a Pentium II 400MHz machine upwards can utilize this device.
Operating Systems from Windows 98SE upwards, and PCs with 64MB of RAM or more are supported, and in short practically any PC you have in current use, all can make use of this sort of connectivity with its plug-and-play convenience once you've installed drivers from the CD.
There's a mains power supply unit included, though that might not be needed, depending on what you need to connect. And if you are a travelling computer user, you'll find it convenient to leave devices connected to your desktop machine via the dock station, so that just two cables reconnect everything.
In conclusion
If missing connectivity is your problem, this neat device from Belkin makes a lot of sense. Not particularly expensive at £69.99, you might bear it in mind if you find the need.
