HP USB 3.0 Laptop Docking Monitor to Find its Way into Shared Environment

HP Compaq L2311c proves to be one of the killer apps for USB 3.0 as the 23" LCD is tightly integrated with a laptop docking station. In fact, the primary connection to the LED backlit display is via a USB 3.0 cable. There's also VGA but people usually don't drop $319 so they can use it as an analog monitor. The dock consists of Gigabit Ethernet; microphone jack; 3.5mm stereo output; and 4-port USB 3.0 hub. USB 3.0 also powers the built-in 720p HD webcam in the monitor.

HP Compaq L2311c is essentially a business solution in which the monitor can be installed in shared workspace. Everyone would be able to connect to the monitor and at the same time, hook up to the local intranet through wired Ethernet using just a USB 3.0 cable. The display itself - thanks to DisplayLink's new DL-3900 - boasts 1920x1080 resolution and promises much more responsive video response. This improvement should push USB monitors to mainstream from just niche product category, at least in the business sector. If ultrabooks and Windows 8 tablets do gain popularity, we can also see such monitor becoming useful in many scenarios. The L2311c is backed by 3 years of part & labor warranty.