Laptops
There are several ways to get multiple monitors with a laptop:
Using the second VGA output of the laptop:
A lot of laptops have a VGA port for an external monitor, and by default the external monitor will show the same image as the built-in monitor. If the laptop has a video chipset with multi-monitor support (and the necessary drivers), you can choose to use the external monitor as a second monitor instead of a mirror of the built-in monitor.
- Windows XP: make sure you get the latest drivers, the default drivers may not have multi-monitor support
- Windows 2000: not all video chipsets will have drivers with multi-monitor support, newer ones most likely will though, for example Nvidia
Chipsets with multi-monitor support include: ATI MOBILITY RADEON, RAGE MOBILITY and RAGE LT PRO, NeoMagic MagicMedia 256AV, Nvidia GeForce Go and Quadro Go series, S3 Savage and ViRGE, Trident Cyber 9525DVD.
The following chipsets do not support multiple monitors: NeoMagic 128.
Adding a PCMCIA video card:
PCMCIA video cards are standard PCMCIA cards with a VGA or DVI output. You simply plug them into a PCMCIA slot, and instantly you have an additional monitor. These cards work fine with all versions of Windows (provided that drivers are available). See the Products page @ realtimesoft.com for a list of PCMCIA video cards.
Using a docking station with video card:
If your docking station supports it, you can add a standard PCI video card or a PCMCIA video card to get a second monitor. There are also docking stations with integrated video, for example the EasiDock 1000EV.
This should also work fine with all versions of Windows. Note that not all laptops support this, some will turn off the built-in monitor when they detect a video card in the docking station.
Please note: the EasiDock 5000 doesn't support video cards with PCI bridges (most quad video cards).
Using a PCI video card in a PCMCIA-to-PCI expansion system:
A PCI expansion system allows you to connect one or more PCI cards to your laptop via a PCMCIA card. Magma sells 1-4 slot PCI expansion systems for laptops. This should work fine with all versions of Windows.
Please note: the Matrox G200 MMS only works with Magma PCI expansion systems if bus mastering is disabled.
Adding an external video card:
The SideCar from Digital Tigers is a little box with a built-in video card which gets connected to a laptop using a PCMCIA card. Several models are available with support for 1-4 monitors, using video cards such as the Nvidia GeForceFX, ATI RADEON 9000 and Matrox G450 MMS. Depending on the model, DVI, VGA and TV-out are supported.
Using a second laptop or other PC as an additional monitor:
With MaxiVista, you can use a second laptop or desktop PC as an additional monitor. The second PC needs to be connected to the laptop via network, the main laptop needs to be running Windows 2000/XP or later. See the review for more information on MaxiVista.
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