External monitor with laptop (Dell Inspiron 1750)

esuhl

A friend has asked about the possibility of using an external monitor with her Dell Inspiron 1750. She wants to use both the built-in display AND the monitor at the same time (for office work).

The laptop only has an analogue VGA output, but I'm more concerned about whether the graphics card would be up to driving two displays.

Would an external USB graphics card be a good idea? :-/

grumpycrab

esuhl wrote: »

The laptop only has an analogue VGA output,

Just try it; plug in spare monitor (with VGA connector) and on laptop press Windows key+P and select Extend.

esuhl

I don't think she knows anyone nearby with a spare computer monitor, but I guess she could try connecting the laptop to one of her TVs to see what happens (assuming they have a VGA input).

I'll post her a VGA cable an see if I she can find something to plug it in to! Cheers :-)

that

esuhl wrote: »

I don't think she knows anyone nearby with a spare computer monitor,

Does not have to be a spare, just has to be a 10 min trial

Think this may not be an official dell product http://www.laptopsandspares.com/dell-inspiron-1750-docking-station

Having used a usb 2.0 screen, I was suitably impressed it even handled the graphics, but was not in a position to try video to a great extent. They now have usb 3.0 ones

prowla

The VGA port should be fine for up to 1080p.


I've tried a USB-HDMI adapter and they're OK, but be careful that the USB version is correct (2.0 or 3.0) and make sure they're supported by the OS).

AndyPix

esuhl wrote: »

A friend has asked about the possibility of using an external monitor with her Dell Inspiron 1750. She wants to use both the built-in display AND the monitor at the same time (for office work).

The laptop only has an analogue VGA output, but I'm more concerned about whether the graphics card would be up to driving two displays.

Would an external USB graphics card be a good idea? :-/

It will work fine - no need for USB graphics

stator

I've never heard of a laptop that can't support two displays.
VGA should be fine