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U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

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fjs08
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U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

#1 Post by fjs08 » Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:25 pm

Hi,
Looks like a very nice notebook.
How does it connect to my external monitor??
HDMI??
Doesn't it have a standard VGA connection???
I'm not the techy-ist person, so this confuses the heck out of me.
Thx.
Frank

ZaZ
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Re: U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

#2 Post by ZaZ » Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:15 pm

I believe the U300 has a HDMI port. You're right there's no VGA. They do make HDMI to VGA cables if your monitor only has VGA. If it's got DVI, that might be a better option.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
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fjs08
Sophomore Member
Posts: 159
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 2:49 pm
Location: Naples, Florida

Re: U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

#3 Post by fjs08 » Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:21 pm

Thx for the response.
I'm supposing the HDMI is a "better" resolution, etc??
Basically I'm asking why HDMI vs VGA???
Thx.

Frank

ZaZ
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Re: U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

#4 Post by ZaZ » Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:31 pm

HDMI is digital while VGA is analog. You'll get people who swear digital is better, but I honestly can't tell a difference. I'm at my desktop right now. I've got two Samsung 2333Ts hooked up, one via DVI and the other VGA. They look the same to me.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint

fjs08
Sophomore Member
Posts: 159
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 2:49 pm
Location: Naples, Florida

Re: U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

#5 Post by fjs08 » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:01 am

Anything else I might need to know about the IdeaPad U300???

Does Lenovo make a "dock" or "port replicator(PR)" for this. I'd love to be able to use it at my desk then run around the house and take it with me to the coffee shop etc. Docks/PR's make this so much easier.
I recall having one for my ThinkPad's years ago. Big buggers but they came in handy.

Thx.

Frank

ZaZ
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Re: U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

#6 Post by ZaZ » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:54 am

You might be able to buy some sort of USB dock, but the IdeaPads don't have docking connectors in the traditional ThinkPad sense. If you want my personal opinion and I'm sure you don't, the X220 is a better machine than the U300 in almost every regard, except it's not quite as thin and only comes in black. The X220 is light, durable, has a great keyboard, can have two drives with the mSATA and has a phenomenal IPS screen upgrade option. Best of all if you can get some good coupons you can get one for the same price as the U300 or less. The X220 has a docking connector and a displayport, which can be converted to HDMI with a cable. If you get the four-cell battery, the X220 is an inch thick and you'll probably get four hours of battery life.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint

fjs08
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Posts: 159
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2004 2:49 pm
Location: Naples, Florida

Re: U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

#7 Post by fjs08 » Tue Nov 15, 2011 1:19 pm

>>If you want my personal opinion and I'm sure you don't, the X220 is a better machine than the U300 in almost every regard, except it's not quite as thin and only comes in black.<<

If I didn't want opinions, I wouldn't be here.

I'll give it a look see. I do like the ThinkPad line.

Thx.
Frank

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