I want to use my IBM T40 notebook as a processor only when I am in my
office (screen closed). I have access to 2 new DELL 17' LCD's that use
VGA connections. With only one VGA connection on my T40, how do I get
both monitors connected?

ghaines-ga:

There are two primary methods available to you in order to use your
two existing Dell 17" LCD panels with your IBM T40 laptop computer. I
have outlined these two options, below.


Option 1: Using the Thinkpad Port Replicator II

If you have, or acquire, one of these:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-45922

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=lenovo+74p6733&hl=en&btnG=Search


you can then take advantage of the fact that there is both a DVI port,
and a VGA port, on the Replicator. This allows you to tap into the
dual-monitor capabilities of the ATI Mobile Radeon graphics processor
on board your T40.

In order to use the DVI port with your VGA LCD panel, you will also
need a DVI to VGA adapter, such as this:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=dvi+vga+adapter&hl=en&btnG=Search


Please note that with this approach, the output from the DVI port is
limited to a maximum of SXGA resolution, or 1280 x 1024.

====================

Option 2: Using the Matrox DualHead2Go

Alternatively, you can use the Matrox DualHead2Go external device to
drive two displays from a single VGA output.

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/dh2go/home.php

http://www.boston.co.uk/stuff/newsletters/06-02-08-1/

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=matrox+dualhead2go&btnG=Search

While the T40 is listed as a compatible system here:

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/support/dh2go/compatibility_laptop_list.php

you should still check to see if the Dualhead2Go is compatible with
your specific laptop using their compatibility tool located at:

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/support/dh2go/tool/home.php

====================

With either approach, you retain the ability to control the
configuration directly through your operating system (for example,
Windows' Desktop Settings). Based on the pricing found through
Froogle, the options cost about the same, too.

I hope that this helps you!

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

This article should help. Please make sure that your laptop and
graphics card are both compatible with this sort of use. You could buy
a VGA port splitter as well:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_monitor


And Here's some how-to stuff from PC World Magazine


Beyond the stellar productivity rewards and the obvious geek cred,
there's yet another cool thing about a dual-monitor setup: It's easy
to put together.

Here's what you need: a dual-head graphics card and two monitors.

Did you get all that?

I was lucky: When the clever IT folks here at PC World replaced my
desktop computer a little while back, they included ATI's capable
Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card in my new Dell. The 9800 Pro just
happens to have dual-head capabilities (one digital video interface,
and one analog). Many of today's midrange to high-end graphics cards
offer dual-monitor support.

If you're not lucky enough to have a dual-monitor graphics card
already, you can easily pick up a good card for less than $200. My
current midrange favorites use NVidia's GeForce 6600GT chip (PCI
Express or AGP flavors). Whichever card you buy, be sure its outputs
match the inputs for your two monitors.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,120396/article.html