X61s & Ultrabase X6: How to connect ext. monitor & HD TV?

[kokkolis]

Dear friends,

A somewhat daft question:

I 've got an X61s on an Ultrabase X6. I have ordered a Lenovo ext. monitor (an 22in L2251X). Currently, the VGA connection of the Ultrabase sends the signal from the X61s to my Sony HD TV.

Unfortunately, neither the Lenovo monitor nor the Ultrabase have DVI connections.... . The Ultrabase X6 only has VGA, Serial and USB; the monitor has only VGA and DisplayPort


So then, what is the best option to connect the ext. monitor to the Ultrabase?

Option 1: Connect the monitor to the free Serial Port (9-pin) on the Ultrabase 6 using a Serial-to-VGA adaptor

Option 2: Use a 2-in-1 VGA adaptor and attempt to connect both the TV & the ext. monitor to the same VGA port of the Ultrabase.

Option 3: Keep the TV connected on the VGA, buy a DisplayPort -to-USB adaptor and connect the monitor to the USB of the Ultrabase.

Any other options? What would YOU go for?

Many thanks,
Christos

[pkiff]

I'm not 100% sure I understand your requirements. Do you need to display your X61s output on BOTH monitors at the same time? or just one or the other depending on the situation?

If just one or the other, then you could use a simple VGA switch box. I have a 4-1 VGA switch from Konig that I like that is a mechanical/manual switch that does not require power, and which I think is available in the UK.

Option 1: Connect the monitor to the free Serial Port (9-pin) on the Ultrabase 6 using a Serial-to-VGA adaptor

Is this even possible?? I didn't know you could even do this.

Option 2: Use a 2-in-1 VGA adaptor and attempt to connect both the TV & the ext. monitor to the same VGA port of the Ultrabase.

That's my suggestion, but I'm calling it a switch, instead of an "adapter".

Option 3: Keep the TV connected on the VGA, buy a DisplayPort -to-USB adaptor and connect the monitor to the USB of the Ultrabase.

Seems like overkill, and you will end up with your best/fastest display showing up on your TV instead of your monitor, since the USB adapter will not be able to match the refresh rate (or the compatibility with all kinds of output, I expect) of your monitor.

Phil.