Thinkpads Forum

Probably a stupid question, but.... I have a monitor plugged into the VGA port of my port replicator and use it in extended mode with my Thinkpad display. However, I would prefer to have two matching side-by-side monitors and just put the Thinkpad off the desk when using it at home and view everything on the two external monitors and use a wireless keyboard. So my question: if I plug a second monitor into the VGA port of my Thinkpad (and leave the other monitor connected to the VGA port of the port replicator) will I be able to use the two external monitors in extended mode?

Assuming that I can't, does anyone know if a USB --->VGA adapter for the second monitor would work? I think there might be a lag issue if it would work at all. I'm using this setup for basic work stuff, not gaming or anything graphic-intensive.

Thanks in advance.

[Moderator note: Welcome to the Forum, msimpsonnj! I've deleted your duplicate post in the X6x Forum. T61 questions should be in this forum, and like most discussion forms on the web, we discourage cross-postings (i.e. duplicate posts in two different forums), even if you're not sure where your post should go!]

Normally, the regular VGA port off your Thinkpad is disabled when you attach your Thinkpad to a docking station. I use an Advanced Mini Dock with my T60p and it offers TWO video out ports in the docking station: one VGA and one DVI. Using those, I can output to two monitors. I'm not 100% sure if that is possible with all T60 and T61 models or only those models with "discrete" graphic cards (like the T61p and T60p). Your maximum dual monitor screen resolutions will depend on which model of T61 you have. And if you have only a "port replicator" instead of a proper docking station, then you will only have a single VGA out regardless.

For USB options, you can probably use any compatible "DisplayLink" USB video adapter. Lenovo made two versions: one uses USB 2 and one uses USB 3. For a T61, I would think that using USB 2 is fine. I am using a Lenovo-branded USB 2 DVI/VGA Monitor Adapter with my X61T to drive a 2nd monitor at 1600x1200, but it is too slow to display videos and is a bit slow to use for surfing the web. It is great for displaying (relatively) static documents, text files, and email. The version I am using is like what is described here:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... MIGR-72682

There is probably little difference between the various DisplayLink compatible units that are sold under different brands as they all contain the same internal DisplayLink chip I think, and the software is probably portable across any Windows system.

Phil.

pkiff wrote:For USB options, you can probably use any compatible "DisplayLink" USB video adapter. The version I am using is like what is described here:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... MIGR-72682

I recently got into a dual monitor setup and I wasn't aware of this option, thanks for that.

pkiff wrote: I'm not 100% sure if that is possible with all T60 and T61 models or only those models with "discrete" graphic cards (like the T61p and T60p).

Just for future reference on anyone looking for this info, here's the complete list from lenovo: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/diagnos ... D=HT002333

On a relevant note, if someone can recommend a desktop environment (preferably Linux) where two monitors can behave as a big one (maximising windows spanning across both monitors, taskbar spanning across, etc.), I'm all ears.

Why not simply use a VGA Y-Splitter Cable ...

Not endorsing this brand, just using link as an illustration ...
http://www.frys.com/product/4557397?sou ... MgodiTYA3w

On a relevant note, if someone can recommend a desktop environment (preferably Linux) where two monitors can behave as a big one (maximising windows spanning across both monitors, taskbar spanning across, etc.), I'm all ears.

I've tried laptop LCD + external monitor spanning with Debian 7 Xfce on my X61.
It's just a matter of setting up Xrandr correctly.
I use the Arandr program because it allows me to visually setup the displays (which display is on the left, above, etc.)

Sample pics (not mine):

robert213 wrote:Why not simply use a VGA Y-Splitter Cable ...

Isn't that suppose to clone the video output? Not really useful in this scenario.

axur-delmeria wrote: I've tried laptop LCD + external monitor spanning with Debian 7 Xfce on my X61.
It's just a matter of setting up Xrandr correctly.
I use the Arandr program because it allows me to visually setup the displays (which display is on the left, above, etc.)

Thanks but probably I didn't phrase myself correctly. ATM I have Ubuntu Gnome and what I'm after is getting to maximise a window across both (external) monitors. By default, maximisation is happening on either of the monitors. The only ugly and impractical way is by manually dragging a window to fill as much as possible of both screens. There must be a desktop environment out there that can do that, just haven't found it yet...

axur-delmeria wrote:

On a relevant note, if someone can recommend a desktop environment (preferably Linux) where two monitors can behave as a big one (maximising windows spanning across both monitors, taskbar spanning across, etc.), I'm all ears.

I've tried laptop LCD + external monitor spanning with Debian 7 Xfce on my X61.
It's just a matter of setting up Xrandr correctly.
I use the Arandr program because it allows me to visually setup the displays (which display is on the left, above, etc.)

Sample pics (not mine):

Nice multiple screen display thing for Linux