TAKE TWO! - Dual monitors for a Laptop?

[Tom Burgess]

Sorry about the subject pun ==

And this *is* a little off-topic, but I very much appreciate and trust the advice I get here, and this *does* concern video/display adapters, so please take a look:

Is there any way for a laptop (without built-in, dedicated dual-monitor display hardware) to run an expanded(wide) WinXP-Home desktop across TWO (2) monitors?

I realize a few of the latest offerings from Sony. Toshiba, etc *do* have dual-monitor capabilities, but "my laptop budget doesn't 'embrace' that price range..."

Seems to me the display circuitry on most (all?) laptops is probably hardwired to the motherboard. By any chance, are there laptops that have a "video card" (like a desktop PCI card) that could be swapped out to upgrade to a "wide" XP-home workspace spanning *dual* monitors?

And now I'm *really* reaching, but might there be some add-on "outboard box" that could accomplish this? It doesn't seem likely, but it never hurts to ask...I hope.

Thanks a lot,
Tom Burgess

[K6-III]

Perhaps with the upcoming CARDBUS version of the Trident XP4...

[Tom Burgess]

K6-III ==

Now you're talkin' ! ! ! But I know nothing about it.

Is it a PCMCIA laptop card?

If not, I'm guessing it doesn't hold out much hope for current laptop mobos with hardwired video circuitry...

Can you point me toward additional online info?

Thanks for the lead,
Tom Burgess

[seether]

Yes, Cardbus is PCMCIA - if I remember correctly (and I'm not making any promises) cardbus compliancy simply means 32bit support, as that wasn't part of the origional PCMCIA spec. I doubt you can even find a new laptop that is NOT cardbus compliant.

Another opto of course, is a docking station, which would allow for low profile PCI cards.

Also - going on the assumption that you don't have a laptop yet, then scrutenizing some manufacturer websites or calling them might net you what you're looking for. For example, I've got a 2 year old P3-650 laptop with an S3 Savage IX chip, and it does dual display.

[Tom Burgess]

vwdrivrco ==

Can you give me the name of one manufacturer of a docking station that accepts PCI cards? That would enable me to start seaching online for more info. Of course, if you have a link, I'd really appreciate that too.

And you're right, I don't yet have the laptop. I'd very much like to know who makes the 2-year-old P3-650 laptop with the S3 Savage IX chip (capable of dual monitors).

Thanks,
Tom Burgess

[seether]

Tom,

I'm sure they make them, I used to always hear low profile cards being referred to as docking station cards.

My laptop is a Gateway Solo 5300. Have you tried digging deep into the websites of some of the major OEMs yet? I'll see if I can dig up any info for you re. docking station vs integrated dual support.

[K6-III]

Here's what I was referring to in the PC Card Trident XP4: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1681&p=5

[Tom Burgess]

K6-III ==

I checked out the link you provided. VERY interesting.

I wonder what the price will be.

Also wonder just how limited the bandwidth would be.
I just need to move all the "floating tool boxes" from my various graphic programs over to a second monitor. Do you think this might work?

vwdrivrco ==

My primary use will be travel-related, so please don't knock yourself out helping me find docking station info at this point. I *am* interested in them though - I might *entirely replace* my desktop system if I find the right combination, but my immediate concern is getting a dual-monitor arrangement for travel.

Thanks for mentioning your Gateway Solo 5300. I'll look it up and trace it's "offspring" to a possible solution.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate it.

Tom Burgess

[seether]

no biggie - I was up all night doing homework anyway, so I didn't look yet

Two FYIs about SOLOs - they get hot enough you don't want it siting on your lap without asbestos pants, and the keyboards tend to be flaky (ie. get used to spell check for the unregistered keystrokes).

[Tom Burgess]

Well guys ==

I bought a Toshiba Satellite 5105-S501.

32MB NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go display providing expanded desktop spanning dual-monitors.
P4 1.7 GHz
512 MB DDR PC2100 RAM
15" SXGA+ screen
40 GB HD
DVD-ROM / CD-RW drive
Yamaha sound through Harmon/Kardon subwoofer speakers
IEEE1394
3 USBs
and believe it or not, an infra-red remote control(!?)

I bought it from PCMALL.com for $1,984 - $100 mail-in rebate + $23 2-day FedEx.

Total cost $1,871 which is a lot, but less than I figured it'd cost, AND not only will this suit my business travel needs, it will replace my desktop system for many applications. If I could just run dat doggone Matrox RT.X100 through it somehow...

Thanks for the insight and advice,

Tom Burgess