Using multiple displays

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if it is possible for an E5420 to display on 2 external monitors both VGA connections - one monitor to be used as the desktop and one used as an extended desktop. The laptop screen will not be used and the lid closed.

The laptop has one VGA connection and one HDMI.

If I bought a HDMI to VGA cable, could I plug one monitor straight in to the laptop via VGA and use the HDMI to VGA cable to connect the other? or would that just display a clone image?

Thanks in advance.

 

E5420...

I am assuming you dont have dedicated gpu and that you are using intel HD graphics?

If this is the case for your specs, just find out if Intel HD graphics can run two monitors. I dont really use laptops with no dedicated gpu as a desktop replacement so I am bit hesistent about this.

Though I am pretty sure you can hook it up this way. Whether to display clone image or not is controlled through windows. You will be able to set a master one and extended one.

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yes it is using the Intel HD graphics.

Just searched the Intel site and got this...

Can I output video to three display devices, not just two?
No. Intel® graphics products can output to one or two display devices at the same time. More than two display devices can be physically connected, but only two display devices can be used at any time.



Note Some customers report being able to use third-party video splitter devices to allow output to more than two display devices. Intel has not tested these configurations nor can make recommendations on these third party devices.

 

You can use two external displays with an E5420. You can set up the extended desktop if you configure it properly. You won't be able to use the internal display at the same time; if you want three displays, you will need some sort of active converter.

 

You just confirmed it. So the setup you want will work.