Bought new A8Js..24P but a quick question

Hi All,

About 2 months ago I had registered here, and asked what was appropriate Laptop to buy. Since then, I have been reading and reading until I stumbled on the specs of this *bad boy*. And I love it (1 week old).

I got it from MilestonePC in Markham, and was very satisfied. I went there last night to pick up another 1gb ram, and they were more than happy to stay a little longer after close, as traffic was horrible. Two thumbs up on these guys.

Question :
I am a huge gamer (Vanguard, Guild Wars, EQ), and wanted to use my laptop as my desktop replacement. I don't want to use the 14" screen for gaming, nor the keyboard when I'm home (why use the small stuff when I have the bigger keyboard/monitor). I tried to hook up my 20" Samsung LCD screen from the DVI port, but I could not get it so that the screen aligned properly. It was actually pretty horrible looking (so blury). I never tried the keyboard yet.

Will the screen look different if I use the VGA cord instead (right now its still hooked up to my desktop). And also, can i just plug in my USB keyboard into the laptop to use my desktop keyboard? Last question : If this all works, can I just open my laptop, boot it up, then close it (to turn the screen off) so that I am using the laptop as my CPU, and my dekstop keyboard/monitor for the rest.

P.S.
I have not updated the drivers more than already was installed. Maybe this could be the issue? If I need to, could you direct me to a site to do this.

Sorry for the long email.
Thanks.

Asus A8Js-4S024P
Blue tooth, 14" WXGA+ ( 1400x900 )
Core2Duo T-7200/GeForce 7700
2GB DDR2 667
100 GB HD/DVDRW/XP Pro

 

Is the external monitor set at native (max) resolution? That might be the problem.

 

Hmmm,

Never thought of that. I would assume that the factory setting is this way. I will check it out when I get home.

If this is the case, is the VGA or DVI output better? Is there a difference (maybe I can keep the VGA cord running to my desktop, and use the DVI cord to my laptop...keeps me from always hooking/unhooking VGA cord).

Is there a difference ?

Thanks

 

All other things being equal (cord quality, same video card etc.) DVI should give a much cleaner picture quality. I'd recommend using DVI whenever possible over VGA.

 

Congratz on your new A8Js.

There are a few things to note, first try both DVI and VGA connections to your laptop and try multiple resolutions. You should be able to run your external LCD at the maximum resolution, so try that as well. Also do try both VGA and DVI, and you ask will there be a difference? No, you will not be able to tell the difference in image quality, it is extremely hard to see the difference.

*EDIT As ProntoR2 mentioned, I would recommend DVI over VGA whenever possible since it is better, even though you may not be able to see the difference.

If for some reason, like you mentioned the DVI doesn't seem to work properly, then try the VGA port, then just get the latest Graphic Drivers.

The USB keyboard should work fine when connected to the laptop, you may also want a mouse, I am assuming your going to use a G7? so you can easily change the USB dongle from desktop to laptop when you need it.

Once you have everything hooked up correctly, your right, you wanna turn off the LCD, or even close the lid of the laptop. or both. To do so, there's an FN + LCD button to turn off the LCD, then you will want to go into the power management and set "When Close Lid" Do nothing (none). This will make you use the CPU and GPU, HD and Ram of the laptop but use your external screen, just like you want.

Lets us know how things turn out, if you have questions as you go along this process, keep asking

 

Awesome.

This is exactly what I am looking for. My dreams are becoming a reality.

Now if I could only win the lottery...hmm....maybe another lifetime.

Cheers.