PC monitor help - what to look for

Fightsback

britishboy wrote: »

Hi fightsback
Ive only just bought the laptop, and now decided to use it (if possible) as a desktop/base unit in clamshell mode (if its possible).

IF i bought a desktop, what do you mean by discrete graphics card please? And I'm assuming ideally buy a desktop with 2 x HDMI ports?

Discrete means it's a separate graphics processor that is not integrated into the motherboard chipset or CPU.

longwalks1

Fightsback wrote: »

Discrete means it's a separate graphics processor that is not integrated into the motherboard chipset or CPU.

Thanks again Fightsback, am not too knowledgeable with computers (as you can tell). Can you recommend a desktop, probably i5 with 2 hdmi ports please and the separate graphics card you mentioned? I wont be watching films/Blu-ray etc it'll just be for browsing and using both screen for displaying charts for share prices

jshm2

britishboy wrote: »

Thanks everyone, I've decided on 2 x 24" monitors on a support arm, will the following spec laptop be able to run 2 monitors, and if so, whats the best way please?

1 USB 3.0
• 2 USB 2.0
• 1 VGA
• 1 HDMI
• 1 RJ-45
• 1 multi-format digital media reader

Thanks again everyone

A laptop can only do either or VGA/HDMI. You'll need to give up one of your USB ports to act as a display adaptor.

rmg1

Hi all

I run a HP Elitebook at work (on a dock).
I'm currently using the laptop in "open" mode so I can use the screen and 2 HP L1950G monitors as well (effectively giving me 3 screens to work with). One is VIA the VGA cable, and other is using the Display Port with an adaptor to use DVI as the screen doesn't have a DisplayPort input.

It was a bit of fiddle to make everything work (i.e. extending the desktop from the laptop to the monitors) and having the laptop in the middle means moving between screens took a bit of getting used to.

All 3 screens are running in native resolutions and it's just giving me a huge amount of screen real-estate.

Hope this will help.

almillar

You can, of course, run 2 monitors from a laptop. VGA and HDMI won't cut it, you need one with DisplayPort (or more likely, miniDisplayPort). This can carry loads of stuff, including sound and vision and is capable of 2 monitors, given the right connections, and the right graphics capabilities onboard the laptop. Just for starters with something I know can do it - Surface Pro 3, or Surface Pro 4.

jaydeeuk1

almillar wrote: »

You can, of course, run 2 monitors from a laptop. VGA and HDMI won't cut it, you need one with DisplayPort (or more likely, miniDisplayPort). This can carry loads of stuff, including sound and vision and is capable of 2 monitors, given the right connections, and the right graphics capabilities onboard the laptop. Just for starters with something I know can do it - Surface Pro 3, or Surface Pro 4.

Or via USB. Colleague sitting across from me has 4 monitors running plus the laptop screen. Needs USB 3.0 though. (probably no good for video, certainly no good for gaming, but for visual studio and SQL server use its spot on)