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    Extending Laptop Desktop to third monitor

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by flangemonkey, Feb 28, 2011.

  1. flangemonkey

    flangemonkey Notebook Geek

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    Hi Guys,

    I've been looking at various universal Docks, USB Video adaptor, and ExpressCard solutions, but its just not happening for me.

    Belkin do the ExpressCard docking station, which would work perfectly for me, but its support for Windows 7 (aero) and 64bit is non-existent. Solutions such as ExpressCard to PCIe like ViDock and StarTech.com are too expensive for the bus let alone an additional card.

    USB Video seams like the only option, anyone any recommendations? Or how about what people have tired and failed.

    I personnel need win7 and 64 bit support, mac support would also help (but not essential).

    Thanks,
     
    flangemonkey, Feb 28, 2011
    #1
  2. Agent 9

    Agent 9 Notebook Consultant

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    From what I know of USB video devices, they tend to be quite slow and quite choppy, as well as taxing the USB port (making it heat up with use)

    Again, I have never used one but from what I've read up on them, they are not going to work that well (well, they should work fine for some "lighter" uses such as displaying text/ web pages/ word documents/ ect... as long as it isn't a video or a game, it should work pretty well)

    If you can really use that extra screen, then it would be worth the $20-30 (I think they are in that price range) to try one out; if it doesn't work well for you, then you can resell it for about what you got it for
     
    Agent 9, Mar 1, 2011
    #2
  3. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    From what I understand, the biggest problem with going to a third monitor is that you'll need support for it from your graphics card. If your graphics card doesn't support it natively, your only solutions will have to be something relatively expensive (like a Matrox DualHead2Go or TripleHead2Go).
     
    Judicator, Mar 1, 2011
    #3
  4. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    The USB is an external video card, it only relies on your cpu to process the data and not the GPU, so you do not want a slow computer but you can get away with it even on a super low end IGP.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Mar 1, 2011
    #4
  5. flangemonkey

    flangemonkey Notebook Geek

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    I want it to be smooth, but only really intend to put sites and info on it. Literally additional work space. I might chuck some video on it... from time to time.

    I've seen some expensive usb devices from startech.com running at the 90 quid mark. But not sure how they differ in performance. Does anybody have experience with a good usb video adapter?

    I've also read about the extenders that basically input high resolution as a single monitor and output it on 2 or more monitors. I really don't like the idea of working like this, because of the windows controls on multiple displays and having to keep with the same vertical pixels.

    Thanks,
     
    flangemonkey, Mar 1, 2011
    #5