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Dual Monitors
Posted by jnathanson on 06/19/2008 - 16:32
I have a three-year old latptop and a 15" flat screen monitor that I no longer use as the associated desktop is now defunct. Would it be possible to use the laptop and monitor together? Would a docking station do the trick as I doubt that the laptop was designed for dual monitors?
Jennifer Nathanson
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Yes you can run multiple monitors on your laptop
Hi Jennifer,
Yes you can definitely run multiple monitors on your laptop PC. You have several options: On most laptops there is an additional monitor port on the side or back of your laptop (it has 3 rows of 15 holes), simply connect your monitor to this plug and your PC will generally notice a new monitor is connected and prompt you to set this up. In some instances you may have to activate this secondary plug by depressing a particular key combination on your laptop keyboard (something like FUNCTION + F5 or FUNCTION + F8). Your laptop manual may refer to this as VGA activation.
If you do not have a video port on your laptop (or if you want to have more than one extra monitor) you can obtain a USB-Video adapter from your local computer shop or on-line supplier, this is basically an additional video adapter that plugs into your laptops USB port providing you with an extra video port for your Laptop. Simply plug the USB-Video adapter into your PC and follow the setup steps provided by the manufacturer.
The third option is to obtain a Docking Station (also called a Port Replicator) for your laptop, this device provides you with additional ports for a variety of peripherals while only requiring you to use a single USB port on your laptop. Basically enabling you to use your laptop in a desktop style configuration. Providing you with connections for your full size keyboard, desktop mouse, extra monitor, etc. After setting up this dock once, you only need to plug the docks single USB cable to your laptop whenever you want to work at your desk. There are also docking station / port replicators that are made specifically for your laptop such as the HP Quickdock, but they work essentially the same way.
All these options will provide you with the ability to use dual or more monitors. The next step is to configure how you want to work with those multiple monitors. Assuming you are using Windows Operating System (XP or Vista) you will want to go into the display settings within the control panel and setup the resolution and positioning of the monitors.
I hope this little bit of information helps you out, all the best...T
Travis K. TKCCG.COM Woodinville WA
Dual monitors with laptop
You might be able to set your laptop up with dual monitors by docking or just plugging the monitor into the laptop directly, depending on the laptop access & monitor. Assuming you are running MS Windows, look in Control panel/Appearance and Themes/Display/Settings. You should be able to identify both monitors and set one as primary and one as secondary. YOu may have to fiddle with the resolution as well. Good luck!Laura C. CPA Boise