In the market for a laptop - dual external monitor support
I currently have a desktop computer that I've got two 22" monitors (1680x1050) running on. I'm in the market to get a new machine, and I would like it to be a laptop so I can pick up and go any time or when I'm home, be able to hook it up to my two monitors and be able to run them as extensions to my desktop.
I've been out shopping and everyone is telling me that a laptop can't do that. One salesperson was telling me of a possible device that I could plug two monitors into so that when the laptop is connected to it the laptop would see it as one wide monitor. Does such a device exist? If so, can I get some direction as to where I can look online to aquire one?
At that point I would also need to have laptop with a powerful enough video card to support such a large monitor as would be produced by merging the two 22" monitors together into one. I would also appreciate some pointers as to what kind of laptop that would need to be and where I could find one.
Thanks.
I've been out shopping and everyone is telling me that a laptop can't do that. One salesperson was telling me of a possible device that I could plug two monitors into so that when the laptop is connected to it the laptop would see it as one wide monitor. Does such a device exist? If so, can I get some direction as to where I can look online to aquire one?
At that point I would also need to have laptop with a powerful enough video card to support such a large monitor as would be produced by merging the two 22" monitors together into one. I would also appreciate some pointers as to what kind of laptop that would need to be and where I could find one.
Thanks.
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You dont need a docking station to get dual monitor. To me they just get in the way. You just need to find a laptop that has a VGA or DVI (a video port). You can plug in your monitor and extend a display.
Only thing a docking station is going to give you is that you dont need to plug in the monitor cable, power cable, and mouse ever time you want to use the 2nd monitor and a mouse if you plan on using it, besides that a waste of money. Now if you dont want to do that every time it might be worth the money.
Only thing a docking station is going to give you is that you dont need to plug in the monitor cable, power cable, and mouse ever time you want to use the 2nd monitor and a mouse if you plan on using it, besides that a waste of money. Now if you dont want to do that every time it might be worth the money.
Hey jramsier, you did read his original post in that he has (2) external monitors, right? I think he would like to use both external monitors and not just to extend his laptop display to a 2nd external monitor.
MO
MO
I see. Then you are correct about the docking station. My bad.
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mgortega:
I tried calling Dell sales dept to ask some questions but there is a serious language issue. I have a hard time understanding what is being said to me and am having a hard time feeling like what I'm saying is being understood.
I want to be absolutely sure that before I make any big purchases that the laptop will do exactly what I want it to do.
I'm interested in a dell solution, but I need a little clarification about one of these docking stations. Do the docking stations not work from a USB connection? If so, doesn't that hinder video output? Can a single USB connection support 2 monitors at a 1680 by 1050 resolution? And is the output truly like an extended desktop and not just a mirror of what is happening on the laptop screen?
I'm looking at the Dell Studio XPS 16. Can you tell me if this is a good option?
I tried calling Dell sales dept to ask some questions but there is a serious language issue. I have a hard time understanding what is being said to me and am having a hard time feeling like what I'm saying is being understood.
I want to be absolutely sure that before I make any big purchases that the laptop will do exactly what I want it to do.
I'm interested in a dell solution, but I need a little clarification about one of these docking stations. Do the docking stations not work from a USB connection? If so, doesn't that hinder video output? Can a single USB connection support 2 monitors at a 1680 by 1050 resolution? And is the output truly like an extended desktop and not just a mirror of what is happening on the laptop screen?
I'm looking at the Dell Studio XPS 16. Can you tell me if this is a good option?
1x Monitors + VGA/DVI out on laptop
USB to DVI (as long as it is not graphics heavy):
http://sewelldirect.com/USB-to-DVI-External-Video-Card.asp
2x monitors (can get a total of 3)
DualHead2Go
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/
3x monitors (can get a total of 4)
TripleHead2Go
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/
I know there were alienware laptops that did this like 3 years ago but seems that they dont have them now.
USB to DVI (as long as it is not graphics heavy):
http://sewelldirect.com/USB-to-DVI-External-Video-Card.asp
2x monitors (can get a total of 3)
DualHead2Go
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/
3x monitors (can get a total of 4)
TripleHead2Go
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/
I know there were alienware laptops that did this like 3 years ago but seems that they dont have them now.
only problem with getting something that has multiple monitor display ports is that does it support multiple displays? Most dont since the driver will only allow one. That is how the new alienware laptops are working from my research and alienware. Dell now owns alienware and i am sure they went down the same path.
fyi
With the Dual heads you also need a display port on the laptop
With the Dual heads you also need a display port on the laptop
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"... I'm looking at the Dell Studio XPS 16. Can you tell me if this is a good option? " ==> It's a nice laptop, but doesn't use the docking station listed above ... the docking station for this model only supports one external display. But the Radeon HD4670 in this laptop supports three 1680 x 1050 monitors with the Matrox Triple-Head-to-Go digital edition. Note: the comment above that you need a Display Port to use the Matrox adapters is WRONG -- that's only true for the Display Port editions of these adapters.
joseph you want to look at the latitude line of laptops. Dell Latitude E Family of laptops is their latest generation.
MO
MO
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Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'm looking into one of HP's ProBook Series machines at this point. Not quite ready to make this purchase yet, but I appreciate all your help.
MO