Triple head, linux compatible notebook

[matrix7181]

Greeting,

I'm trying to find a laptop which supports two additional external monitors.
So 3 in total, 2 external and the screen of the laptop itself. I can't find this information anywhere ..

Why don't they have "Supported screens X amount" in technical details.

I've looked at HP 4540s, it has i5 3rd gen and that's HD 4000 Integrated graphics which technically support up to 3 monitors, but there is not a single hint in the technical details that the output is not cloned or anything and that it does in fact, support the 3 monitors.
I've sent the mail to HP, waiting for the answer.

So, basically I'm looking an i5/i7 3rd gen, laptop with support of 3 monitors (in total). The discrete graphics or integrated, both is ok.

And to make things a bit harder, I'm using linux, Debian / Ubuntu distro, so if anyone else about compatibility would be awesome.

A recap :
Budget : Around 1000$
Screen : 15.6" Screen
CPU : i5/i7 3rd gen
GPU : Integrated or discrete graphics that support 3 monitors (no clones, extended)
BRAND : all except ASUS
Compatibility : Linux - Debian / Ubuntu
All other stuff doesn't matter, I'll upgrade if low, etc..

I have one shot at this, If I pick a wrong one, my work will suffer. And that is why I need some community assistance.

Thank you again.

P.S. Is there something that I don't know of where to look for 'Yes this model supports 3 monitors feature', as in, I know some models do have (lets say) VGA and HDMI, but the output is cloned, so even if there are 2 ports, it can support only 2 monitors.

 

[Brett928S2]

This topic has been moved from the section Laptops & Notebooks to section Linux/Free BSD by Brett928S2

 

[Ijack]

Why not contact HP and ask them?

 

[Daniel_1963]

I found this. https://www.system76.com/laptops/model/gazp8
I would still contact them because some laptops disable the onboard monitor when two externals are attatched

 

[matrix7181]

Why not contact HP and ask them?

I did, however no reply yet.

I found this. https://www.system76.com/laptops/model/gazp8
I would still contact them because some laptops disable the onboard monitor when two externals are attatched

I haven't heard of system76 brand, looks promising so thank you for the suggestion, I'm gonna dig for some info.

I'll post the final results if I get the replies from HP and sys76.

 

[stillblue]

Would this work for you? http://www.amazon.com/C2G-29551-Monitor-Splitter-Extender/dp/B00008BO8N/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1362054648&sr=8-7&keywords=monitor+splitter

 

[Ijack]

Perhaps an external solution is the answer http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/digital/

Works with Linux.

 

[matrix7181]

Would this work for you? http://www.amazon.com/C2G-29551-Monitor-Splitter-Extender/dp/B00008BO8N/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1362054648&sr=8-7&keywords=monitor+splitter

I may be wrong, but according to what I read that only clones one output to several more. Same picture on all screens from that one output.

Perhaps an external solution is the answer http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/digital/

Works with Linux.

Yeah, matrox is nice, but price not so much 😀

I'm still waiting for the replies from the emails I sent, but it seems I'll have to risk it :\

 

[stillblue]

Three monitors three separate outputs? And it has to be portable? Boy, I thought the screen preview in Libre Office Presentation was special.

Only thing I can think of is to remote control two thin clients off of your computer through a switch.

 

[matrix7181]

Three monitors three separate outputs? And it has to be portable? Boy, I thought the screen preview in Libre Office Presentation was special.

Only thing I can think of is to remote control two thin clients off of your computer through a switch.

Three including the lcd of the laptop. So just 2 more on top of the existing, not asking too much ... I think

 

[stillblue]

Just out of curiosity, hardware aside, what would you like to output onto them?

 

[matrix7181]

Just out of curiosity, hardware aside, what would you like to output onto them?

Windows, lots of windows. I'm a programmer, so displaying more code, terminals and documents is a big help.
And I must say, I can't even think of working without Workspaces.

So far, the best suggestion I got was the Lenovo T530, but retailer in my country is like 2x expensive than prices in the US.

 

[stillblue]

How about

http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/HowTo/AddVGAAdapter

 

[skittle]

afaik laptop video cards don't support this directly, you will likely need an adapter like this:
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/digital_se/

 

[matrix7181]

Uhh, that's what I was afraid of 🙁

And to confirm all that I got the reply from HP, 4540s doesn't support 2 additional extended monitors.

Thank you for your replies, they helped.