two external monitors - usb3 or minidisplayport?

Heres what i think you should do.

1. Get an HDMI cable and a full HD monitor you can connect it to, theres an HDMI port on the MBPR as well.

2. Get a Mini Display -> Hdmi Adapter and connect the other monitor to that.

3. Get a Thunderbolt -> Gigabit Ethernet for Wired connection.

4. Get a Random Powered USB 3.0 Hub for your Keyboard, mouse and HDD.

 

I think you're trying to do too much. Or you purchased the wrong machine for your needs.

 

Not sure how random USB 3.0 hubs work under boot camp, but there have been several reports of compatibility issues under OS 10.8.3 when trying to use them with HDs. The Belkin 4 port is one without compatibility issues.

 

I would go for a simpler approach

get either the matrox DS1 or the belkin thunderbolt express dock
- ethernet
- keyboard and mouse
- HDD via thunderbolt

get a 1080p display that supports mDP or DP, and get another that supports HDMI

The only annoying part is to connect the 3 cables (HDMI and 2x thunderbolt) each time

 

Both of those docks have a video output. The Thunderbolt daisy chain port in the case of the Belkin and an HDMI port in the case of the Matrox.

So you would only need to plug in to 2 Thunderbolt ports or 1 Thunderbolt and 1 HDMI to connect everything.

 

you are right off course

 

I'm still cringing at the very thought of running a display on USB.

I had a user a while ago who just had to have a 4th display, and rather than put a better GPU in his workstation we just stuck a USB dongle on it. The color reproduction was noticeably off and the screen lagged at least half a second behind the other 3 displays at all times. It was horrendous.

 

#1 is the best solution by far