DisplayLink USB adapters for Macs

Ok, so it’s not the most exciting announcement to come out of MacWorld, but it’s still noteworthy nonetheless.

Today DisplayLink announced that its USB display adapters now offer OS X support. In the past, we’ve seen DisplayLink’s USB technology built into displays such as the LG L206WU monitor, and in standalone adapters.

The adapters are easy to use: just plug a monitor’s DVI cord into one end, and the other end spits out a USB cable that you can plug into your computer. With multiple adapters, it’s possible to add additional monitors to laptops, and without having to install a pile of video cards in a desktop. The new announcement for OS X will allow Apple systems to support up to four displays.

The jury is still out on how well DVD playback will be across USB monitors. Testing in our own labs with PCs yielded sub-par results, likely because the DisplayLink adapter acts as its own video card, and it could be choking the needed bandwidth between DVI and USB.

No word on pricing yet, but if you’re out there at the Moscone Center, stop by booth #W-4238.