Laptop(?) to use with large external (24"+) monitor

[lemonstar]

I'm gravitating towards the idea of buying a laptop to use with a large external monitor - in my work I'm often having to spin my current laptop (i.e. the screen) around to show the client something - this also means the keyboard is then at the wrong angle for me if I then want to show or change something else on screen. I could use a small PC, separate monitor and keyboard but that takes up more space that I'd like and is cluttered - in any event I'd like to take the machine I use and use it in other places. I don't want to splash out for a laptop with a huge display but I think it could work well if I have a large monitor for the client and I can keep the laptop/screen/keyboard oriented in my direction to suit me. I know there are various novel laptop designs - ones where the screen swivels (I may also need to make sure the laptop screen can be angled down or out of the way so I can see & point at the larger screen easily) - maybe a tablet could be used with the large external monitor - I don't know - I'm not 100% sure exactly what I want - all I know is that I've worked for 2-3 years with a lone laptop and the arrangement just doesn't work as well as I'd like. On occasions there is also the need to take turns on the keyboard - so ideally I want one machine/processor/app running and 2 monitors & 2 keyboards - maybe I just need 2 laptops!

What kit would you think about looking at? Any interesting ideas?
Thanks.
Neil

[jayton4]

For portability they make USB monitors just for the exact purpose you mention. If you are visiting clients and need something to set up quick in their conference room, you just plug it in to USB and stand it up in front of them. No separate power cable/VGA cable, just 1 USB cord. They aren't big like the 24" you mentioned since they only draw the power of USB:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... No=1375995

[jayton4]

Here's one in England:
http://www.misco.co.uk/product/Q551855/ ... ED-Monitor

Get one of those thin and light Microsoft Bluetooth keyboards for your second keyboard.

[Neil]

ideally I want one machine/processor/app running and 2 monitors & 2 keyboards

I don't see any reason why this set-up wouldn't work. If I needed such, I would put the ThinkPad on a dock to make it easy to disconnect and take with me. And, just attach an external monitor and keyboard to the dock. Exactly your ideal system! Unless, you're looking to take the whole 2-monitor, 2-keyboard system on the road with you to client locations...then what jayton4 suggests above would be the ideal.