Can laptops power 2 external displays?

[Patyrn]

Without any fancy dongles or crap like that? If a laptop has 2 outputs (dvi\hdmi or whatever), can I plug in two monitors? If it's more complicated than that, how can I tell what laptops can or can't power 2 displays?

 

[starhawk]

VGA, DVI, and HDMI are all primarily signal lines -- you don't power a screen from that cable. Usually they have a second one that tethers the screen to the wall.

That said, if you're lucky enough to have a laptop with dual display output, have at it -- there should be no conflicts, just a wee bit of configurating.

 

[YeuEmMaiMai]

to answer your question, yes you can typically use all the display connections plus the internal display at the same time....

 

[Sly]

Not necessarily. Mine has a VGA and HDMI port, but i can only use one of them at a time.

 

[YeuEmMaiMai]

Not necessarily. Mine has a VGA and HDMI port, but i can only use one of them at a time.

"yes you can typically use all the display......" some machines obviously can't but some can like my studio 15, use internal hdmi and vga all at once.....

 

[AMD_RULES]

My envy does eyefinity. It has a HDMI and mini display port. You can run the two externals plus the laptop screen at the same time.

 

[mngl1500]

Some of the Dell docking stations will run dual displays. I have one setup at work doing that is running 2 27" widescreens but did not try having the lid open on the laptop to see if it will do that plus the 2 external monitors.

 

[DejaWiz]

I wouldn't suggest it, as it would drain the laptop's battery pretty quick. Just use the AC cord that came with the monitors and find some wall outlets instead.








Seriousness, yes, most laptops can utilize multiple external displays.

 

[Patyrn]

VGA, DVI, and HDMI are all primarily signal lines -- you don't power a screen from that cable

I meant power as in output signal to. Obviously I'm not trying to jack monitors into the laptops battery supply.