Dual screen for laptop

Dual screen for laptop

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Hello,

I've heard that using dual screens, triple screens and even quad screens is now the norm for most accountants as it helps them view multiple screens at once.

It's makes sense, don't know why I never thought of it before.  Anyway I was just looking some advice on what is equipment I need to go dual screen for my laptop, where is the best place to get it from and roughly how much it would cost.

Any help is most appreciated.

Replies (8)

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By Captainblack
15th Mar 2012 14:45

Which laptop do you have?

Exactly which laptop do you have?

And what operating system does it run?

Captain

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Replying to Manchester_man:
By amalonio
15th Mar 2012 15:33

I have a Dell Vostro 3500, runs Windows 7 operating system.

Thanks,

Aidan

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By Captainblack
15th Mar 2012 16:11

Vostro 3500 has an HDMI socket

Aidan

According to the Dell website the Vostro 3500 has an HDMI socket, as well as a VGA socket.

See www.dell.com/uk/business/p/vostro-3500/pd

Therefore you can connect a second monitor (preferably via HDMI i.e. a digital connection, rather than the analogue VGA socket).

Windows 7 will let you use both the laptop screen and second monitor at the same time.

As to monitors, the choice is huge, but generally the bigger the better I think!

Dell sell a well-respected range of monitors online but there are plenty of others to choose from. A visit to a PC World (for instance) would let you see various models side-by-side.

Captain

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By amalonio
15th Mar 2012 16:43

Is there any software needed to run two screens at the same time?  Or does Windows 7 allow you to configure this once the 2nd monitor is connected.

 

Thanks again,

Aidan

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Quack
By Constantly Confused
15th Mar 2012 16:44

Just to add

It's easy enough to do, you put your monitor next to your laptop, turn it on, plug a HDMI/VGA cable into it and the other end into your laptop, you have a bit of automatic installing and presto!  your desktop extends onto the monitor!

It will seem odd at first btw, as you will no longer have a 'wall' at the right of the screen.  For instance, if I want to click the top right of my screen I used to just whizz the mouse up there care free, now I have to make sure I stop before it goes to the other screen.

But you get used to it.  And it's fun for confusing technophobes who try and use your laptop :)

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By Captainblack
15th Mar 2012 16:49

No software needed

Windows 7 will do it all for you. Just plug the new monitor into the HDMI port.

Captain

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By BJ
16th Mar 2012 09:24

Display properties

It doesn't always automatically give you a second independent screen. Once you've got the screen plugged in, it'll sometimes just duplicate your existing screen so you just get two screens showing the same thing.

I should point out, the laptop I use has Windows XP, and I recall having a similar issue with Windows 7. If it installs automatically you won't need to do it, but for those with XP and just in case you may need to set up using the display properties menu.

It's simple enough:

Right-click on the desktop background anywhereSelect display propertiesGo to the settings tabTick the box that says "extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor"Play around with screen resolution and physical arrangement settings until you've got something that looks and works fine. The easiest way is to use a bit of a trial and error approach using the 'apply' button to test.

I've never bothered with a third screen. I haven't got the room. But two is brilliant where you need to have reference material on screen constantly.

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By Captainblack
16th Mar 2012 09:37

BJ is right.

You may well need to adjust the settings (in Windows 7) as set out above. 

I am so used to it it didn't occur to me to mention it.

Captain.

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