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What hardware or equipment do I need to hook up a secondary monitor to my computer for dual-screen browsing?
I also need to know where I can buy said hardware or equipment for the best price. I've already got the spare monitor, but I know it's not as easy as plug-and-play.
I currently have an ATI RADEON Xpress 200 Series graphics card on my desktop PC.
I currently have an ATI RADEON Xpress 200 Series graphics card on my desktop PC.
voted interesting: mattix
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If your graphic card is not dual monitor capable, you can get hardware solution from Matrox DualHead2Go
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/
Newegg.com has one for $144.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815106015
It might not be the cheapest solution compared to getting dual head video card. However, this might be the easiest upgrade (without opening your computer case).
From Matrox website:
Matrox DualHead2Go is an external multi-monitor upgrade for notebooks and desktop computers. Ideal for business and professional users looking to increase their productivity with a dual monitor setup, this small box lets you run different applications on each monitor or view one application across two monitors. DualHead2Go is available in analog and digital editions.
Alternatively, dual VGA graphic card ATI Radeon 7000 64MB DDR AGP Dual VGA Video Card is available from $52.19
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=207883539&listingid=37778402&dcaid=17902
The reason this is recommended is because mention of old monitor (usually has VGA port).
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/dh2go/
Newegg.com has one for $144.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815106015
It might not be the cheapest solution compared to getting dual head video card. However, this might be the easiest upgrade (without opening your computer case).
From Matrox website:
Matrox DualHead2Go is an external multi-monitor upgrade for notebooks and desktop computers. Ideal for business and professional users looking to increase their productivity with a dual monitor setup, this small box lets you run different applications on each monitor or view one application across two monitors. DualHead2Go is available in analog and digital editions.
Alternatively, dual VGA graphic card ATI Radeon 7000 64MB DDR AGP Dual VGA Video Card is available from $52.19
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=207883539&listingid=37778402&dcaid=17902
The reason this is recommended is because mention of old monitor (usually has VGA port).
| Asker's rating: |
You provided everything I asked for and gave me options. The direct-to-buy links were very important to me, plus I also feel you did a good job explaining the situation and how each option could get me to where I wanted to be.
voted helpful: skyvan, morriss003
This is the way to go if your computer is not dual display capable. I would agree with the recommendation of the Matrox DualHead2Go
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It actually can be as easy as plug-and-play, assuming you have a graphics card which supports it.
If your monitor uses DVI input then you need to find a graphics card which has dual DVI ports, or DUAL VGA if required (most don't have VGA these days though but you can buy an adapter).
You can buy graphics cards at http://newegg.com for a good price.
Once you have a graphics card with dual ports, plug in both monitors and if you are using windows the second monitor should come up on its own. You can then configure how you want the second monitor to behave via your graphics card's control panel.
Here's a video displaying how to do it on MS Vista with an Nvidia card.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEBMX_McXEU
Doing it with ATI is similiar.
If your monitor uses DVI input then you need to find a graphics card which has dual DVI ports, or DUAL VGA if required (most don't have VGA these days though but you can buy an adapter).
You can buy graphics cards at http://newegg.com for a good price.
Once you have a graphics card with dual ports, plug in both monitors and if you are using windows the second monitor should come up on its own. You can then configure how you want the second monitor to behave via your graphics card's control panel.
Here's a video displaying how to do it on MS Vista with an Nvidia card.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEBMX_McXEU
Doing it with ATI is similiar.
source(s):
I'm using dual monitor setup on my machine.
I'm using dual monitor setup on my machine.
You did not tell us whether you have a PC, Mac, desktop, laptop..
FOR DESKTOPS:
First determine whether you have a dual monitor port. Track down where your monitor is plugged in behind the computer. If it is grouped with all of the other plugs (USB, firewire, yada yada), it is probably internal video. You have two choices at this point:
a) get an additional video card and use the PC's integrated video along with this new card
b) get a card that has two video outputs, and bypass the internal video card
Most modern PCs use PCI-express cards. You can pay as little or as much as you'd like, depending on what you want to do with the card. If you just want to do minimalist business tasks, get the cheapest card you can - it will still do what you need to do. If you want to play modern games (if your computer is up to speed), you will need a $125+ card.
With modern operating systems, this is a fairly simple process software wise. Simply open either the native display properties and enable the secondary monitor, or use the wizard that is included with the video card you purchase (it usually has its own software that lets you adjust your dual monitor setup step by step). See below for more information.
FOR LAPTOPS:
Find out if there is a docking station available for your model. This is the easiest way to set up multiple displays. If you do not have a docking station option, then you may at least have a "port expander" that allows the addition of video. The other option is a product called Dual (or Triple) Head 2 Go made by Matrox. This allows a horizontal spread over 2 or 3 monitors, but from my experience this limits some of your functionality (as opposed to a legitimate second card).
*EDIT I see you added info - from your description, it sounds like you are using integrated video. I would advise getting a single dual head PCIe card.
FOR DESKTOPS:
First determine whether you have a dual monitor port. Track down where your monitor is plugged in behind the computer. If it is grouped with all of the other plugs (USB, firewire, yada yada), it is probably internal video. You have two choices at this point:
a) get an additional video card and use the PC's integrated video along with this new card
b) get a card that has two video outputs, and bypass the internal video card
Most modern PCs use PCI-express cards. You can pay as little or as much as you'd like, depending on what you want to do with the card. If you just want to do minimalist business tasks, get the cheapest card you can - it will still do what you need to do. If you want to play modern games (if your computer is up to speed), you will need a $125+ card.
With modern operating systems, this is a fairly simple process software wise. Simply open either the native display properties and enable the secondary monitor, or use the wizard that is included with the video card you purchase (it usually has its own software that lets you adjust your dual monitor setup step by step). See below for more information.
FOR LAPTOPS:
Find out if there is a docking station available for your model. This is the easiest way to set up multiple displays. If you do not have a docking station option, then you may at least have a "port expander" that allows the addition of video. The other option is a product called Dual (or Triple) Head 2 Go made by Matrox. This allows a horizontal spread over 2 or 3 monitors, but from my experience this limits some of your functionality (as opposed to a legitimate second card).
*EDIT I see you added info - from your description, it sounds like you are using integrated video. I would advise getting a single dual head PCIe card.
source(s):
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/northrup_multimon.... FOR WINDOWS XP
http://www.multi-monitors.com/product_p/dh2go-1.htm DualHead2Go
In the old days, I sat up lawyer, doctor, dentist, stockbroker workstations... one broker had a 10 monitor setup... SWEET.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/90b6964d-2673-40e5-9fdf... For Windows Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/northrup_multimon.... FOR WINDOWS XP
http://www.multi-monitors.com/product_p/dh2go-1.htm DualHead2Go
In the old days, I sat up lawyer, doctor, dentist, stockbroker workstations... one broker had a 10 monitor setup... SWEET.
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/90b6964d-2673-40e5-9fdf... For Windows Vista
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