do all laptops struggle with outputting to 2nd monitor at higher res?

realBabelfish · 20 Nov 2012 at 11:52

Hi guys

am looking for a new laptop but from experience a fair few seem to struggle to output to a 1080p monitor using extended desktop. basically boss wants to use his 27" 1080p monitor and use the laptop screen for his email etc.

the last laptop we bought couldnt do 2 different resolutions so that ruled out using another 1080p monitor in extended desktop mode witout making the resolution the same size as the laptop's, which looked crap.

is this true with most laptops? im struggling to find a 1080p laptop if that is the case. very odd since ipad and a lot of tablets now use 1080p?!?!

or do i need a better mobile GPU to allow 2 different resolutions to be run in extended desktop mode?

GeX · 20 Nov 2012 at 12:05

My MBP can happily output to 3 screens (1920x1200) and the internal (2880x1800) simultaneously - that's using a GT650M. So, no - they don't all struggle.

In other news, 1080p on a 27" yuck!

realBabelfish · 20 Nov 2012 at 12:11

yeah. it does look terrible on a 27" screen!

fine for TV though i guess

the problem im having is the amount of laptops and the fact they dont tell you much about them on most sites.

ah, mac book. he is a mac fan but im not sure how well they would hook up to work environment.

i do really need a windows machine for him. do most laptops with mobile GPU (not the crappy intel ones) allow 2nd monitor support at a different resolution? im guessing its a limitation of onboard intel gfx?

Disco Boy · 20 Nov 2012 at 12:47

realBabelfish said:
i do really need a windows machine for him. do most laptops with mobile GPU (not the crappy intel ones) allow 2nd monitor support at a different resolution? ?

Yes, of course. Be aware that lots of laptops which only have HDMI out have a max resolution of 1920x1080.

GeX · 20 Nov 2012 at 12:50

The 'crappy' Intel one (HD4000) is pretty good, and should allow for multi monitors at differing resolutions. I can't test this on mine as when it's on external power it switches to the GT650M.

realBabelfish · 20 Nov 2012 at 13:10

GeX said:
The 'crappy' Intel one (HD4000) is pretty good, and should allow for multi monitors at differing resolutions. I can't test this on mine as when it's on external power it switches to the GT650M.

its just that the last one we got wouldnt allow 2 resolutions. maybe it was an earlier i3 though. it could only mirror the laptop resolution

realBabelfish · 20 Nov 2012 at 13:12

GeX said:
The 'crappy' Intel one (HD4000) is pretty good, and should allow for multi monitors at differing resolutions. I can't test this on mine as when it's on external power it switches to the GT650M.

can anyone test this? as i say ive had issues with older laptops that wont do this.

GeX · 20 Nov 2012 at 13:21

It works fine on a 2012 MacBook Air, that only has the HD4000.

realBabelfish · 20 Nov 2012 at 13:28

ah ok. maybe i will see if i can find that laptop. maybe it was the hd3000?

realBabelfish · 20 Nov 2012 at 13:33

ok, just tried the old laptop and now it works fine... the woman is very happy she has an extra screen now! (odd it wouldnt work before as i thought it would)

GeX · 20 Nov 2012 at 13:40

Could be that a driver update has fixed it / enabled that function.

realBabelfish · 20 Nov 2012 at 14:14

GeX said:
Could be that a driver update has fixed it / enabled that function.

thats what i will claim, cant have been my fault lol :rolleyes: