Two monitors to one laptop

[blueski]

Hi all,

Just wondering whether there's any means to run two screens (showing different material) from a laptop. I've got used to a desktop with a dual graphics card and would love to be able to plug two TFT monitors into my IBM T43 to same effect.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Russell

[SlidingSideways]

As in two external monitors, plus the laptops display?
Don't think so, sorry

[randlemarcus]

My Fujistu lappy has a port replicator with both a VGA and DVI port on it, so maybe its possible with a little external jobbie. Both Google and the manufacturer website might help..

[agent006]

You can get PCMCIA graphics cards, and USB graphics cards, but expect to pay £350+ for them. If the relevent docking station has a DVI port then that can be split into two VGA connectors.

[victormeldrew]

If you have a networked spare computer it is possible - MaxiVista.

I have two laptops (my current one plus an old PII one) and a server. I have MaxiVista server on my new notebook (which is a Dell 1900x1600 TFT already), a 17" TFT plugged in as an external monitor to that, the server running one MaxiVista client on its 17" TFT, and the old notebook also running a MaxiVista client on its screen. Net result, a desktop 4 monitors wide, lots of pixels, and I can test websites at four different resolutions just by dragging a browser window across to the relevant screen.

Whizzing across four monitors with your mouse is great, but not recommended if you only have a built in trackpad! External mouse is a must.

Edited by victormeldrew on Wednesday 24th January 16:57

[bga]

I'm currently running my T41 with the lappy screen and another monitor which I have extended to desktop for. Easy way to twin monitor setup. Not sure about running 2 standalone monitors from it though.

[size13]

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=151185
Not toshiba, but you might get a dock for yours

>> Edited by size13 on Wednesday 8th February 12:43

[maddog-uk]

My sony supports two monitors, but you need a port replicator to make it work.

[blueski]

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately I don't have a spare desktop or a docking station, so this seems a cost effective solution:

www.europc.co.uk/pages/ProductDetail.aspx?PID=50559&refId=froogle

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Russell

[victormeldrew]

blueski said:

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately I don't have a spare desktop or a docking station, so this seems a cost effective solution: www.europc.co.uk/pages/ProductDetail.aspx?PID=50559&refId=froogle Any thoughts? Cheers, Russell

That looks pretty cool. Matrox produce good kit.

The only limitation I can see is that the extra screens have to be side by side, as the notebook sees them as one screen. You wouldn't be able to have a TFT either side of your notebook, they'd both have to be on one side of the notebook. If you can live with that then it looks a good solution.

Of course there's always the triplehead2go!

[anonymous-user]

If you're used to a desktop with a dual head, then surely you only need to plug in one TFT + the TFT built into the laptop, right? If so, a large number of laptops support this natively with a VGA port on the laptop itself.

[blueski]

LexSport said:

If you're used to a desktop with a dual head, then surely you only need to plug in one TFT + the TFT built into the laptop, right? If so, a large number of laptops support this natively with a VGA port on the laptop itself.

Yep - mine supports a second screen via its VGA port. The trouble with this is getting the second screen aligned and alongside the laptop screen; also not ideal if the second screen is larger than the laptop screen.

In an ideal world, I'd go for the dualhead2go plus two 17/19" TFT's. But as I'm paying for it, will probably go for a 15/17" TFT to run alongside my laptop screen.

Just need to resist the triplehead2go...

>> Edited by blueski on Monday 6th March 18:16

[victormeldrew]

Avoid the 15" TFT, pointless with 17" being as cheap as chips now. Even 19" aren't that pricey any more.

[blueski]

victormeldrew said:

Avoid the 15" TFT, pointless with 17" being as cheap as chips now. Even 19" aren't that pricey any more.

Any suggestions on where to look? So far have tried ebuyer, dabs and ebay. Looks like about £100 for a 17" and £150 for a 19".

>> Edited by blueski on Monday 6th March 22:30

[victormeldrew]

That's about right I'd think - sorry, that's not literally as cheap as chips! Compared to prices a couple of years ago it is very cheap though.