Studio 17 and dual screen output?

I've asked Dell but they are clueless..... does anyone know if the Studio 17 laptop can output display to twin 24" screens at 1920x1200?

Ideally I would like to know if it can output a digital signal to both screens?

Dell suggested that it may be possible with a Displayport to dual DVI cable.....

I haven't ordered the laptop yet so would consider any options that would allow dual digital display.... eg. upgraded graphics card or use of a docking station.

 

I have a very similar query as I'm looking at ordering a Studio 15 with an i7 and Ati 4570 as a desktop replacement and I'd like to know if it's possible to hook up two external monitors, one to the hdmi port and one to the vga port?

I appreciate that if I can then one of them will be a clone of the laptop screen.

Alternatively or in addition I may use one of the Belkin expresscard docking stations to allow the two external screens and the internal laptop screen too.

Has anyone done this or have any comments?

 

I tried something like that with mine. Output to two 22" screens, one with VGA, the other with HDMI>DVI. I was unable to get it to work. I've never seen a laptop that could output to two screens, it always uses the internal (but I haven't seen a ton of laptops, either) as one of the screens.

You could always go with a USB>VGA adapter. Won't support gaming or anything, but it will run some text (not at that high resolution though). I've never used one, but here's a Newegg link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Order=BESTMATCH&Description=usb+video+adapter.

If you figure something out, let us know, because I'm curious about this as well.

 

Glad to hear someone else has tried it but it's a shame it didn't work. I take it when you plugged the two monitors in one of them worked and the other did nothing?

My intention was to go the usb or expresscard docking station route for the third monitor as it should only be for normal desktop use and hopefully they'll work fine for that.

 

I just stumbled on this post and this page

http://geekfactor.charrington.com/2009/01/one-thing-i-about-my-dell-xps-m1330-dual-external-monitors

It seems that the XPS can run dual external screens which is presumably down to a different graphics card however it would be very interesting to know if others have managed it with a Studio.

 

Interestingly according to the CS at Dell they say yes you can connect two external monitors although I wouldn't be surprised if they were mistaken seeing how others on this site have had mixed experience with their CS.

12:49:37 Ollie
Do you know if it is possible to connect two external monitors to the Studio 15 at the same time, one to the hdmi port and one to the vga port
12:49:46 Ollie
?
12:49:54 raghava_reddy_varala
yes you can
12:50:12 raghava_reddy_varala
provided you choose at least a 256 MB Dedicated Graphics card on the laptop
12:50:56 Ollie
I'm looking at the 512mb Radeon 4570 on the i7 processor model
12:51:05 raghava_reddy_varala
all right
12:51:10 raghava_reddy_varala
yes you can
12:51:51 Ollie
Am I correct in thinking that when you connect the two external monitors the internal laptop screen switches off?
12:52:18 raghava_reddy_varala
yes
12:53:09 Ollie
Thank you very much for the information