Use plain display panel as portable second monitor?

[TotallyT]

I'm used to using three displays at home and it pains me to just use the 1024x768 display when away with my X61s.

So I've been looking into a way of having a portable second display to hook up for a dual monitor set up. Searching a popular auction website I came across the sale of basic notebook lcd panels (not regular desktop monitors) and it occurred to me this might be a good way to solve my problem. As the panel could be matched closely to the size of the X61s display and be attached to the back of the notebook when being transported, without taking up much room.

The only issue is, how would I power the display and how could I connect it to the regular VGA output? I'm hoping some wise techno-wizard here will have all the answers!?

[rkawakami]

Connection of a digital LCD panel to the analog VGA port would require some sort of conversion circuit. Add to that, you'd need the proper ribbon cable to interface those signals to the connector on the back of the display. There may be a standard pinout for an XGA panel; then again, each manufacturer could use their own proprietary arrangement. And as you suggest, how would you get power to all of the electronics? I don't think there's anything on the laptop itself that provides enough power to drive another display. Even if there were, your battery life would suffer. That leaves tapping your existing IBM AC adapter (e.g., a "Y" splitter) or using a separate power supply. In short, I'd say you'd be better off getting a smallish desktop monitor (12" to 14") that can simply be plugged right into the VGA port (and the mains for power).

[Harryc]

http://www.amazon.com/NEC-MultiSync-LCD ... B0000ARC10
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-MultiSync-LCD15 ... 0313876571

[TotallyT]

Thanks both of you. I can see now the panel route will be too complicated but those links got me researching and I've found this: http://www.scan.co.uk/product.aspx?ProductId=27489 (am in the UK) and something like this should be perfect. May even be able to have two and have a 3 display set up when away on holidays etc!

Better link (video review): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rMQI3hf ... annel_page

Also there's the Samsung U70 if anyone is interested:

http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/deta ... 07LDPSF/EN

Seems to be cheaper than the Mimo

[Harryc]

http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-SYNC-U70-7I ... 0347352277

[virge]

http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-SYNC-U70-7I ... 0347352277

Wow, thats much classier than what I'm trying as one of my ongoing projects. I've dismantled one of those old portable LCD screens for an original XBOX and am trying to hook it up to the s-video port of my T42P. Haven't found an elegant way to do that yet.

[TotallyT]

Samsung do quite a few photo frames you can use as a mini monitor. I've bought a 800x600 8" model on ebay for £45 which is almost perfect for my needs.

They also do a 10" 1024x600(?) display which would be even better but I can't find any stock and it would probably be £145.

The 8" one should be ideal for my need of having a secondary monitor on holiday without having to put a 2-3kg display in a suitcase, this one is about .7kg and some are only .35kg.