External Monitors VGA

[sc0tt1983]

I am trying to use my laptop with 2 monitors but I think I need another graphics card. I would like to use 2 monitors and not the screen on my laptop. I just wanted to check that my understanding is correct before I go out and buy a external graphic cards. I have one VGA socket to plug one monitor in and was going get a USB to VGA external graphics card and plug the other monitor into that. Would that work?

Thanks
Scott

 

[cklaubur]

What laptop are you using? Is VGA the only external graphics port available on it?

Casey

 

[APassingMe]

Yes that would work, just don't try to game on it. Also I don't think that you will be able to duplicate the desktop to both screens like that, it will be an extended desktop setup, which is probably what you want.

 

[sc0tt1983]

Yeah its not for gaming just for boring work unfortunately, I usually just plug one monitor into the laptop through the VGA and use the laptop screen with the monitor as extended.

Since I have just got a 2nd monitor now I wanted to just use the 2 monitors instead and close the lid on the laptop. So basically I can have a different piece of work on each screen. I only have one VGA socket and about 3 USB and 1 HDMI.

 

[cklaubur]

You should be able to connect another monitor to the HDMI port, either directly or using an adapter (active if going to VGA).

Casey

 

[APassingMe]

My two cents on the hdmi out... if the integrated graphics doesn't support a passive vga output over hdmi than skip any video conversion involving hdmi. It's more trouble than it's worth, I have personal experience to vouch for that. The usb to external gpu works well though, I can vouch for that as well (I use displaylink devices).

 

[sc0tt1983]

Ok thanks both of you for your help much appreciated