Connecting multiple monitors to laptop?

mark_s · 18 Nov 2014 at 13:21

Ok so I want to connect 2 23" monitors and a 42" lcd tv to my laptop. Currently have just one monitor connected via the hdmi output.

The laptop has one hdmi out and one VGA out, I want the screens to all be independent screen (different things one each one) so I'm trying to work out the best way to do this. Is it possible to connect the 42" to the hdmi and the 2 monitors to the VGA via a splitter. I've got a feeling this would be easy if I wanted them to be clone screens but can I do it this way if I want them all to be independent of one another.

So what are my options and if I need any additional hardware could someone please provide links? Cheers

Writetoandy · 18 Nov 2014 at 13:29

You will not be able to have 3 different images on 3 different screens. The best you can do is 2 different, plus one as a duplicate with a splitter.

Writetoandy · 18 Nov 2014 at 13:36

You can do it if you have an eyefinity compatable laptop, that has vga, (hdmi/DVI) and Displayport, such as a HP Envy

mark_s · 18 Nov 2014 at 14:26

If I forgot about connecting the 42" to the laptop could I connect one monitor to hdmi and onother monitor to vga. This would give me 3 screens... monitor 1, monitor 2 and the laptop monitor?

tom_e · 18 Nov 2014 at 14:27

mark_s said:
If I forgot about connecting the 42" to the laptop could I connect one monitor to hdmi and onother monitor to vga. This would give me 3 screens... monitor 1, monitor 2 and the laptop monitor?

Yes.

Writetoandy · 18 Nov 2014 at 15:00

Yup no problem there at all

mark_s · 18 Nov 2014 at 16:20

Great. Whilst I'm on the subject I was looking at this monitor - IOC i2368vm https://www.google.co.uk/#q=AOC+i2369Vm&tbm=shop&spd=9745511377692741217 as I've read some good reviews and its pretty cheap and I like the look of it. Before I put in an order for 2 of them is there anything else out there for this kind of price that would be recommended over the one I'm looking at?

Writetoandy · 18 Nov 2014 at 16:31

Depends on what you want the monitors for really. Playing fps games, rts games or work ie powerpoint presentations and stuff. Knowing what you want them for determines which monitor is best for you.

mark_s · 18 Nov 2014 at 16:43

I'm mainly going to be using them for work, so viewing word, works docs and browsing the net. They won't be used for gaming.

malcolm · 19 Nov 2014 at 09:19

I have three monitors on my dell latitude laptop, two are connected to a docking station that has two ports, the third is connected to a USB to DVI video adaptor. It's no good for fast moving images, but fine for mail, word, Internet etc.

If your laptop is an Intel chipset and video adaptor, it will only support two screens at once, including the laptops own screen

mark_s · 19 Nov 2014 at 13:44

My laptop is a Samsung R730 - http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/NP-R730-JA02UK - I don't suppose someone could have a quick look and see if its going to be ok with an additional 2 screens. I know its pretty old now but I've really no reason to replace it as it works perfectly.

Thanks for all the help so far... was seconds away from buying 2 new monitors when I saw the above post so thought best to check before spending.