Displaylink for 13" MacBook Pro 64 bit and DVI-D monitors

Hi Bernie,

I recently purchased a MBP 64 bit, 13" and would like to set up two additional monitors that have an optimal resolution of 1920x1080 each and DVI-D inputs. Can you please provide me with information on how to do that with Plugable products?

The current splitter I have (non-Plugable branded) can only be installed by manually booting in 32 bit on my MBP which is not ideal.

In your response if you can tell me which Displaylink product(s) would work best that would be great!

Best,
Amman

Hi Amman,

Thanks for asking ahead!

No problem - at the resolution you’re wanting, you’ve got two good choices which will both work: either the Plugable UGA-2K-A (http://plugable.com/products/uga-2k-a/) or the Plugable UGA-165 (http://plugable.com/products/uga-165)).

They both output DVI-I (which is both DVI-D compatible, and can be down-converted to VGA with the included adapter), and they both use DisplayLink’s latest Mac drivers (available here: http://www.displaylink.com/support/ma…). DisplayLink’s 1.6 driver series (first released last year) support 64-bit kernels at full feature parity with 32-bit kernel. We’ve gotten no special reports of problems on 64-bit there.

There are a few things to note about DisplayLink Mac support:

* No 3D (Quartz Extreme/OpenGL)
* 4 USB monitors max
* No driver released yet supports the coming 10.7 Lion update … we’re looking for DisplayLink to release an updated driver for Lion, but users will want to wait on Lion until that driver is out.

So there are some limitations, but for getting multiple monitors on Mac, beyond the built-in ports, this is the best solution on the market today.

Hope that background helps - thanks again!
Bernie

Thanks so much for your response, Bernie!

It looks like I will go with the UGA-2K-A, and I’d like to hopefully order everything at once so I can set it up when everything arrives. So in terms of DVI-I output, do I need to get converters for the DVI-D for the monitors I have for it to work?

Also, it looks like I will need a USB hub or docking station - is there one you recommend that would work best with this setup?

Thanks again,
Amman

Hi Amman,

Thanks - you bet.

No need for extra adapters … both DVI->VGA and DVI->HDMI are included in the UGA-2K-A box (and also the UGA-165).

In terms of hubs, our http://plugable.com/products/usb2-hub… is a good match - with per-port LEDs and more power than most hubs, you can max out all 7 ports without worry. The UGA-2K-A itself will work with any hub/port where it can get the normal 500mA.

Thanks again!
Bernie

Great!

Just so I’m clear do I need one UGA-2K-A adapter per external monitor that I have, i.e., so purchase two UGA-2K-A adapters since I have two external monitors? Or can I just buy one UGA-2K-A adapter and use one mini-DisplayPort to DVI adapter for the 2nd monitor? If I do the latter will that affect video performance?

Thanks!

Hi Amman,

Yep, one USB adapter per USB attached monitor.

And either option will work (you can max out your built-in ports before using USB for the additional ones), which is better from a performance point of view.

So for two external displays + the laptop display (3 total), you just need that one additional USB adapter for the 3rd display.

Thanks!
Bernie