Multiple monitors on a laptop

[jrc]

I am not the most computer savy person and would like to know how to have two additional monitors in addition to my laptop screen.

I currently have the Dell Inspiron 9200 laptop with a Dell 2001fp monitor also. However, I would like to add another Dell 2001 fp monitor. It doesn't look like the current video card would allow me to do this.

I don't even know if what I would like to do is possible but would appreciate any help.

Thanks.

[pmuir10]

I have a relatively new dell laptop and all the configuration for this can be done when you right click the desktop, go to "Properties" and click on the "Settings" tab.
Beyond that, I dont know.

[partypokerer]

id also like to know...

[CWilly]

I really dont think thats its possible

[jrc]

I think I found the answer to my own question today. If your laptop can already support two displays, you can add a third display by using a PCMCIA graphics card. Like i said, I am not the most computer literate person, but PCMCIA is apparently just a type of card slot. Fortunately, my laptop has one of these.

It appears that there is only one maker of PCMCIA graphics cards currently. (http://officeone.mvps.org/sundaystar/sundaystar_faq.html) It is VTbook. The cheapest I could find it for is $240 at bits.com (http://shop.store.yahoo.com/i-software/119319.html).

The maker of VTbook says in their FAQ on their villagetronic.com website (http://www.villagetronic.com/vtbook/faq.html) that I will be able to have two external monitors and my laptop monitor all at the same time since my laptop already supports two monitors and the PCMCIA card will support the third. All I really want to do is use the two external and ignore the laptop monitor at times. I should be able to do this as well.

It also sounds like this card will allow you to have a second monitor attached to a laptop if your laptop doesn't currently support that.

Of course, I won't beleive it will all work til I see it, but i ordered my card and should find out soon. And since I really know little about computers I would do your own research before trying this but it sounds like it should work.

[jrc]

I forgot to add that on the villagetronic website it says there may be compatibity issues using the DVI connection to a 2001FP monitor. However, the card allows both DVI and VGA connections so that should work if the DVI has problems but maybe at a lower quality.

Here is the listing of compatible computers and monitors:
http://www.villagetronic.com/vtbook/compatibility.html#delld

[Lee Jones]

Dell sells an Advanced Port Replicator for the Inspiron 8600 - it may be compatible with the 9200 as well. It has both DVI and VGA ports on it. You plug one monitor into each and Windows instantly says "Ah - two monitors - show me what they look like."

I'm using dual NEC LCD2060NX's (with an Inspiron 8600), giving me 3200x1200 effective, and it rocks.

Regards, Lee