Looking for a laptop which can output to two full size monitors

[fiddlestix]

My job requires using two full size monitors, but I am going to need to be using a laptop going forward. Can anyone recommend a laptop or product which will allow me to use two monitors?

Thanks.

 

[ringtail]

Far as I know the ability to output to 2 monitors is already built into the Windows Operating System.

I'm writing this on a Windows 7 laptop.

I don't know WHERE you find that in Windows 8.1 (which is better for Microsoft's viewpoint, to be uniform across diverse hardware) that I tried and ditched back to 7 which is lot's better for getting WORK DONE from the CUSTOMER's viewpoint) or Windows 10. Presumably "display" a setting you can select in Control Panre;l...or maytbe those MS we-know-better-than-our-users IDIOTS might have re-labeled "Display" to something else?
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[VirtualLarry]

WinKey+P ("projector"). Will allow you to clone, or enable separate independent displays.

 

[TheStu]

ringtail and VirtualLarry, did you read the same OP as me?

OP wants a laptop that can drive 2 external monitors. They're not asking how to get Windows to see the monitors... They want a laptop with 2 display outputs.

OP, what's your budget? Other than needing 2 monitors (why not use the laptop screen open, and another monitor?), is there anything else your job requires performance wise?

 

[Kaido]

You have three options:

1. Get a laptop that supports dual monitor output (rare)
2. Use one external monitor & use the laptop screen as the second monitor
3. Get a dock that supports dual monitors

A lot of laptops have dual plugs (say HDMI & VGA), but the GPU typically limits you from actually using both at the same time. If you have a standard business-class laptop like a Dell or Lenovo, there are plenty of docks available. For anything else, you can just get a USB dock that has dual video output, Ethernet, audio, etc. The only hiccup I've noticed is that sometimes it can limit port speed if you're doing a lot of stuff at once. If you happen to have USB 3.0 on the laptop, this universal Dell docking station is pretty good:

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Display-UltraHD-Universal-D3100/dp/B00O0M46KO

Plugable has a similar model:

http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-UD-3900-Universal-Docking-Ethernet/dp/B00ECDM78E/

Alternatively, you can add a second monitor via a USB video card. Again, USB 3.0 is best if you can get a laptop that has a 3.0 port, but 2.0 can get the job done too. DisplayLink is the chipset for the USB video cards. USB 2.0 version here for $40:

http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Graphics-Multiple-Monitors-1920x1080/dp/B004AIJE9G/

The better USB 3.0 version is $8 more:

http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Graphics-Multiple-2048x1152-1920x1080/dp/B00A2E1MQA/

The docks are more convenient because then you only have to plug in your power cable & USB cable, and that can automatically connect your dual monitors, keyboard, mouse, printer, Ethernet, speakers, and so on.

 

[fiddlestix]

Thanks for the replies. I am familiar with using Windows to run multiple displays. It is definitely the hardware I am asking about. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

I don't have a particular budget on this right now. I'm trying to determine if it can be done and for how much. The machine will run office environment applications: browsers, word processing, spreadsheet, Acrobat, QuickBooks, and Photoshop. Often several of those at the same time.

I am interested in the docking station concept. I always thought of the docking stations as being a convenience; more or less providing pass-through to your peripherals to get going more quickly. In the case of the Dell USB docking station linked above, it appears to be providing additional video capabilities. Does this mean it contains a USB video card?

 

[Kaido]

Thanks for the replies. I am familiar with using Windows to run multiple displays. It is definitely the hardware I am asking about. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

I don't have a particular budget on this right now. I'm trying to determine if it can be done and for how much. The machine will run office environment applications: browsers, word processing, spreadsheet, Acrobat, QuickBooks, and Photoshop. Often several of those at the same time.

I am interested in the docking station concept. I always thought of the docking stations as being a convenience; more or less providing pass-through to your peripherals to get going more quickly. In the case of the Dell USB docking station linked above, it appears to be providing additional video capabilities. Does this mean it contains a USB video card?

Correct, the Dell USB 3.0 dock has a USB video card built-in. It's one of the most powerful models available because it can drive three displays at once (one 4K, two 1080p).

If you're buying new, I would recommend buying a laptop that has an actual hardware dock. Hardware docks work the best because you get a full-speed connection rather than sharing all of the plug functions over a single high-speed USB 3.0 connection, which can sometimes stutter a bit if you're doing a lot at once. For example, the Dell E-Port Replicator:

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=331-7950

That passes through your laptop's GPU to dual monitors, rather than using a less-powerful USB video card. That's the best setup for performance. Another alternative from Dell is the wireless dock, which uses WiGig, which is actually pretty good:

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=452-BBUX

You still have to plug in the laptop for power, but it can be pretty much anywhere in the room rather than just on the dock, which is nice:

I have some users with Dell Ultrabooks who use this & they like it. I prefer the click-in hardware dock myself because you don't have to think about it...close your laptop, dock it, push the power button, boom - dual monitors, power, keyboard, mouse, etc., but the WiGig dock is pretty nice too since you can relocate your laptop to a different part of your desk. I've heard it hiccups from time to time but is generally pretty reliable. Obviously the click-in dock is the best because it's 1:1.

 

[fiddlestix]

That's some great info. Thanks.

Looking at the click-in dock, it is compatible with the Precision M2800 series. Are you recommending that specific dock/laptop pair, or was that just an example? Googling, there are many different Dell E-Port replicator docks.

Also, the info page on the dock mentions DisplayPort and chaining. My existing monitors are VGA/DVI/HDMI but not DisplayPort. Can I still use them?

 

[TeknoBug]

A lot of laptops have dual plugs (say HDMI & VGA)

That, or you can get a USB adapter, or some laptops has project to wireless display, or Surface Pro 4 with dock which has 2 DP ports. Tons of options out there with different options, I think my Dell Latitude laptop has an HDMI and (mini)DP.

 

[Muse]

One of my laptops is using two large monitors, but one only gets VGA. Inasmuch as I usually don't need to use two, I'm OK with that.

I get DVI output to a 23" display and have a 19" for the VGA but could be using a 23" for that or whatever.

My setup is with a Lenovo T60 with minidock, both of which are quite cheap these days. Bottleneck is the support for only 3GB of RAM, maybe 4GB if I were running 64bit Windows on it, but I don't want to.

 

[mikeymikec]

I'm surprised that a laptop with a dual-link DVI port hasn't apparently been made. Wouldn't this fit the bill somewhat more elegantly?