U300 IdeaPad monitor output connection

[fjs08]

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]

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.

[fjs08]

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]

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.

[fjs08]

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]

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.

[fjs08]

>>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