Multiple monitors R500

[ThomasAJ]

I have done lots of digging around but still am not clear about how many monitors and their resolution can be added.

Ideally I would like to add 2 external monitors and have the laptop closed using external keyboard.
1. Can it be done?
2. What is max resolution per monitor?
3. From the specs below is 2048x1536 the max per monitor or...?
4. I probably need an adapter (can't think what they are called - you place the laptop into/onto it.)

Also what the heck is "Displayport to single DVI-D".
I think it's connecting a monitor via USB?
How many?

R500 Model 2714CTO with 1680x1050 monitor.

The specs say:
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (GMA 4500MHD), in GM45,
digital monitor support via DisplayPort (supports single-link DVI-D via cable 45J7915);
Maximum external resolution: 2048x1536@75Hz

[Ideasmiths]

I have done lots of digging around but still am not clear about how many monitors and their resolution can be added.

Ideally I would like to add 2 external monitors and have the laptop closed using external keyboard.
1. Can it be done? (YES)
2. What is max resolution per monitor? (Depends on the adapter, see below)
3. From the specs below is 2048x1536 the max per monitor or...? (Yes...but the power of the graphic card....)
4. I probably need an adapter (can't think what they are called - you place the laptop into/onto it.) (It's either an expansion port, like lenovo or a displaylink gadget)

Also what the heck is "Displayport to single DVI-D".
I think it's connecting a monitor via USB?
How many?

R500 Model 2714CTO with 1680x1050 monitor.

The specs say:
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (GMA 4500MHD), in GM45,
digital monitor support via DisplayPort (supports single-link DVI-D via cable 45J7915);
Maximum external resolution: 2048x1536@75Hz

Long answers

You can connect as many monitors as you can find video ports coming out of your R500, the technology from old to new is VGA port, Displayport, HDMI port, DVI port and so on. The last 3 is more for digital signal, while VGA is old analog signals that most monitor/LCD support. Each type of port needs it's own cable, so a Displayport to DVI-D cable is needed because R500 have a displayport and VGA port, while most new LCD has only VGA and DVI port for input signal. Every port is like a different language and the cable is the translator. You can't plug in a USB cable because the connector doesn't fit any of those ports, so you need to buy a cable with displayport connector on one end and a DVI connector on the other. (TROUBLESOME process)

To make life simple, you can get a lenovo expansion docks or replicator. This way you can place the R500 on it, close the lid and connect a DVI to DVI cable from the dock to the LCD. HOWEVER, most likely you can only connect ONE external monitor as the dock only normally has one DVI port. Maybe you can also get a VGA port on the newer type of docks, so TWO monitors is possible.

My preferred solution (and cheaper, and faster)
To make life interesting, get a gadget such as displaylink. It's a USB gadget that you just plug into your USB port and the other end to the LCD. So you can connect as many as you can afford the displaylink gadget. (NOTE: The newest lenovo expansion dock comes with a displaylink port)....

Now, the graphics card is like a heart, how stress would it be to run 1/2/ or 3 display? It can support very high resolution, but every monitor/resolution needs memory on the video card. Imagine you have 1920x1200 on a 24" LCD, that means that it needs 1920x1200x32 or more memory space for each image you see, TWO LCD being run by the same graphic card (ie the 4500MHD on your R500) would need 2 times that amount of video memory.

R500 comes with build in free software like Vista or the intel software which can allow you to configure where which monitor goes eaily, what resolution and so on. Not much issue here. For myself, I use ultramon which has more function.

Read up on the displaylink gadget, it is a more viable solution if you are going to run TWO external monitor with your R500 screen shut.

[ThomasAJ]

Many thanks