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Using a notebook as a desktop

T

thecomputeraddict

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
300
Is it safe to use an HP Pavilion dv9700t as a desktop computer? Like getting a 24" display and an external keyboard and mouse? Is there anyway I can run dual external monitors off of it?
 
I use my sager notebook as a desktop, she's a bit old but gets the job done, no dual monitors though.
 
I'm looking into the dual monitor options myself. Other than the product ZMTToxics mentioned, the same company has something called Triplehead2go which allows three monitors. The problem with that though, is the lack of any onboard graphics memory. Same problem with USB-based EVGA UV+. There are two products by Villagetronics called the VTBook (Cardbus) and the ViDock (expresscard). They provide 32mb and 512mb on-board graphics. The VTBook lets you connect one monitor, and the ViDock lets you connect two.

Matrox TripleHead2go
EVGA UV+ - Sorry, I just found reviews for this one, it was recommended by another HardOCP member
Villagetronic VTBook
Villagetronic ViDock
 
Depending on the outputs on the notebook you may not need the matrox dual head to go.

For example right now im using dual 24" sammy's on my N10J, via the vga port and the hdmi port (hdmi>dvi adaptor)

If you notebook only has one output then the matrox solution would be the way to go. But it looks like you have an hdmi and a vga port, which gpu do you have, if its the 8600m then you should be fine, best way to find out is borrow a monitor or 2 and see if you can run dual monitors before you spend money on them.

Just about all the laptops i've ever had have been used as a desktop mainly because at the time it was my only system. Suprisingly i'm actually impressed with how snappy my N10J is with the Atom, just takes some tweaking in xp and its pretty zippy. Any more questions feel free to pm me
 
I run my notebook (stats in sig) as a workstation computer at home during the night time and then unplug everything and take it to school during the day. I only have 1 vga out port so I have it connected to a 24" monitor. I recommend, If you constantly connect and reconnect your laptop, to get a powered usb hub, so you can plug in all your mouse, keyboard, other things into it. That way when you need to reconnect/connect your laptop, all you have to do is plug in your usb hub and your monitor, then your set to go.
 
SILVR 6 said:
Depending on the outputs on the notebook you may not need the matrox dual head to go.

For example right now im using dual 24" sammy's on my N10J, via the vga port and the hdmi port (hdmi>dvi adaptor)

If you notebook only has one output then the matrox solution would be the way to go. But it looks like you have an hdmi and a vga port, which gpu do you have, if its the 8600m then you should be fine, best way to find out is borrow a monitor or 2 and see if you can run dual monitors before you spend money on them.

Just about all the laptops i've ever had have been used as a desktop mainly because at the time it was my only system. Suprisingly i'm actually impressed with how snappy my N10J is with the Atom, just takes some tweaking in xp and its pretty zippy. Any more questions feel free to pm me
Click to expand...


It has an HDMI Port and a VGA port. It has an 8400M GS GPU in it. I was planning on getting a 24" display and a 19" display for dual monitors. Both from hp.
 
Hmm well you should be able to run dual monitors then, anyway you could snag a monitor or 2 to test it out, i'd hate to say it would work and then for some reason have it not,

I run mine using the nvidia NView software under "dualview" where you can configure 2 displays independantly of each other, see if you can snag a crappy old crt, and then get one lcd, using the hdmi>dvi adaptor, if it works then go buy your 2nd lcd and you'll be set.
 
Why would it not be safe? This is obviously safe, because that's how laptops are used in the corporate environment. You can always hook up an second monitor to a laptop, and most often, you'll have options to extend or clone the desktop. You'll probably want something like UltraMon to handle the two different resolutions, though.
 
thecomputeraddict said:
It has an HDMI Port and a VGA port. It has an 8400M GS GPU in it. I was planning on getting a 24" display and a 19" display for dual monitors. Both from hp.
Click to expand...

the 8400 gets horrible at scaling HD content to anything above 16*12 due to severe lack of bandwidth
 
is the lack of bandwidth really that big of a deal, the 9300M GS on my N-10J is actually running @ 1X pci-e mode and I have dual 24" running 1900x1200 with no problems, even watching hd movies (yes 1080p ones as well)
 
So I can run a 24 inch monitor of the hdmi port just fine? I can use one of my two 17" LCD's until I can get the second one. Running two monitors of the laptop wouldn't lag the system performance would it?
 
Nope it won't lag the system, you'll just need an hdmi to dvi cable, I havn't noticed any lag with my setup
 
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