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    Cheapest way to get multiple monitor support on the x220

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Supermiguel, Aug 17, 2012.

  1. Supermiguel

    Supermiguel Notebook Evangelist

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    I need to connect 2 monitors to it... Does it natively support it? or i have to get a docking station?
     
    Supermiguel, Aug 17, 2012
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  2. Pintu

    Pintu Notebook Consultant

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    If you mean two external monitors then you need a docking station from the Mini Dock Series 3. The cheapest ones are the basic "Mini Docks" that support 2 external Monitors, one digital and one analogue. If you want two digital connectors you need the Mini Dock Plus.

    Have a look around eBay. I was twice lucky and got the basic Mini Dock for around 40 Pounds (it retails in the UK for around 120 Pounds).

    Edit: Of course, the Ultrabase offers support for external Monitors as well (1 digital, one analogue). You could also use a USB2DVI converter, but be advised that those are external video cards and are thus very slow (watching a Youtube video in full screen is not really possible).
     
    Pintu, Aug 17, 2012
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  3. Supermiguel

    Supermiguel Notebook Evangelist

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    those look kinda big dont they, ill look in ebay for a ThinkPad UltraBase Series 3 those look way smaller
     
    Supermiguel, Aug 17, 2012
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  4. Pintu

    Pintu Notebook Consultant

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    What looks big?
     
    Pintu, Aug 17, 2012
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  5. Supermiguel

    Supermiguel Notebook Evangelist

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    Mini Dock Series 3
     
    Supermiguel, Aug 17, 2012
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  6. Pintu

    Pintu Notebook Consultant

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    Unless there is another meaning of the word "cheapest", I don't think you asked for size...

    Anyway, practically everything is covered by the laptop anyhow. Only part sticking out is on the left where the eject and power buttons are. I prefer the Mini Dock over the Ultrabase (quicker eject, cheaper)

    2012-08-17 15.09.10.jpg
     
    Pintu, Aug 17, 2012
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  7. Supermiguel

    Supermiguel Notebook Evangelist

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    cool it doesn't look that big on that pic, you can close the screen while on it right?
     
    Supermiguel, Aug 17, 2012
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  8. Pintu

    Pintu Notebook Consultant

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    Sure :)

    2012-08-17 15.35.01.jpg

    Just as a general recommendation: If you plan to run two external monitors of good quality (and/or high resolution) I strongly recommend the Mini Dock Plus that has 2 digital video ports. The signal quality of the VGA ports on both the Laptop and the Docking station is, unfortunately, mediocre (much worse than that of my old Dell Latitude).

    Edit: Another plus is that the Mini Dock is compatible to a range of Laptops of the Txx series.
    'other edit: And it is lockable.
     
    Pintu, Aug 17, 2012
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  9. Supermiguel

    Supermiguel Notebook Evangelist

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    Cool thanks, So the Mini Dock plus Series 3 seems to be about $130 in ebay, whats a fair price for it?
     
    Supermiguel, Aug 17, 2012
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  10. Pintu

    Pintu Notebook Consultant

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    By European/UK standards $130 appear very fair :) (here it's 140 Pounds/$220)
     
    Pintu, Aug 17, 2012
    #10