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Ultrabooks and Dual Monitors?

  • 09-01-2013 09:52PM
    #1
    censuspro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 881 ✭✭✭


    I'm about to buy an Ultrabook as a replacement for my desktop. I have two Samsung monitors set up as dual display. Problem is the that most of the high end Ultrabook's only have one video output.

    i know there are lower range Ultrabooks with VGA output but if I decided to go for an Ultrabook with only one video out can I use this as a replacement for my desktop and run dual display?


Comments

  • #2
    censuspro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 881 ✭✭✭censuspro


    censuspro wrote: »
    I'm about to buy an Ultrabook as a replacement for my desktop. I have two Samsung monitors set up as dual display. Problem is the that most of the high end Ultrabook's only have one video output.

    i know there are lower range Ultrabooks with VGA output but if I decided to go for an Ultrabook with only one video out can I use this as a replacement for my desktop and run dual display?

    Any thoughts?


  • #3
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    My Asus has a display port and a hdmi out, haven't tried to output to two screens though...hmmm


  • #4
    areyawell
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭areyawell


    Alanstrainor wrote: »
    My Asus has a display port and a hdmi out, haven't tried to output to two screens though...hmmm

    So does mine, now i'm curious:D


  • #5
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    USB-> DVI adapter?


  • #6
    censuspro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 881 ✭✭✭censuspro


    Overheal wrote: »
    USB-> DVI adapter?

    Do you lose any of the visual quality by doing that?


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  • #7
    censuspro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 881 ✭✭✭censuspro


    Overheal wrote: »
    USB-> DVI adapter?

    Do you lose any of the visual quality by doing that?


  • #8
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    censuspro wrote: »
    Do you lose any of the visual quality by doing that?
    No personal experience, but I don't believe so. If my math is correct (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface) even dual-link DVI @ WQUXGA (omgwtfresolution) with the maximum number of bits per pixel, would still be an equivalent 421Mbps, to USB 2.0's 480Mbps. Thats both assuming one, that my math isn't missing some fundamental principle of how these cables work, and two, that you would actually run WQUXGA or anything approaching it (no), but you wouldn't lose any fidelity.

    The whole argument is academic though and logically invalid: you can't "lose" visual quality by adding the ability to have an entire second external monitor where there was not one before.


  • #9
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    I have a monitor running through USB here in my house and it's flawless. No issues at all. And I have setup similar setups for others without any complaints.


  • #10
    censuspro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 881 ✭✭✭censuspro


    Alanstrainor wrote: »
    I have a monitor running through USB here in my house and it's flawless. No issues at all. And I have setup similar setups for others without any complaints.

    Are you running dual monitors through a splitter?


  • #11
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Splitters will only directly replicate 1 video output and mirror it to 2 or more outputs (AA output, not AB output). Only in a few rare cases have I seen a GPU that was designed for 4-way DVI, but that was a special case using 2 non-standard connections, each configured for 2 unique channels of output.

    In general, a DVI-> DVI + DVI splitter is only going to give you the same image on 2 different screens. You'd be looking for a USB->1x DVI in addition to your laptop's HDMI output. ....Or, you're looking for a USB-Graphics Card (not that cheap) that is designed to help the laptop support 3+ screens.

    Star-Tech, to your rescue:

    http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Monitor-External-Adapter-USB32HDDVII/dp/B008CXFMT6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1358266144&sr=8-4&keywords=USB+DVI+dual

    USB 3.0 -> HDMI and DVI. First reviewer reports Victory running triple monitor setup with his laptop. Star-tech is one of those up and coming brands that specializes in decent after-market PC accessories, kind of the way Mad Catz does for gaming consoles.


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