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    Is using external components for my laptop bad?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Dman7, Mar 24, 2008.

  1. Dman7

    Dman7 Notebook Consultant

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    So, I ordered a VGA cable, so I will be connected my laptop to a 19" dell monitor to use, almost permanently unless I tae my laptop to go. I will also be using a laser mouse, and keyboard, both connected to the USB's.

    I bought a cooling pad, mainly to lift my laptop so the air circulation is better, but also has extra fans to help if I notice my laptop's too hot (it never really gets too hot)

    My question is: Is having all 3 of these plugged in bad? I won't close the laptop lid when i'm using the external monitor because I heard that causes problems.

    Mainly using the external monitor for gaming, being able to lower the rez without having a somewhat blurry end result in some games will be good for me (I do lot's of gaming on my laptop).

    So yea, that's my question, Thanks!
     
    Dman7, Mar 24, 2008
    #1
  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    no........
     
    Lithus, Mar 24, 2008
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  3. Dman7

    Dman7 Notebook Consultant

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    Just curious, I read in some places that it kills the battery and what not.
     
    Dman7, Mar 24, 2008
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  4. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    its fine...you can go ahead and close your laptop lid too...
     
    McGrady, Mar 24, 2008
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  5. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    You will be fine nothing wrong with using external.
     
    powerpack, Mar 24, 2008
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  6. Dman7

    Dman7 Notebook Consultant

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    Cool, thanks guys. Can't wait to hookup my monitor :)
     
    Dman7, Mar 24, 2008
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  7. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    People need to stop saying "I read somewhere". I've read that the Earth is going to go through an Ice Age. I've read that Martians rule the planet.

    If you're going to use that phrase, cite it.
     
    Lithus, Mar 24, 2008
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  8. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

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    lol then ppl are going to start saying, "I heard somewhere"
    ;)
     
    McGrady, Mar 24, 2008
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  9. Dman7

    Dman7 Notebook Consultant

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    I read it on one of the multiple searches I did in the past week, so I'm sorry for currently being on campus and not having time to do research for you.
     
    Dman7, Mar 24, 2008
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  10. bhxtyrant

    bhxtyrant Notebook Guru

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    I currently have
    Nexstar3 Sata Enclosure with 500GB HDD
    Nexstar3 IDE Enclosure with 250GB HDD
    Nexstar DX Optical Drive Enclosure with ASUS DVD-RW DL
    Microsoft webcam
    Microsoft wireless USB mouse
    and a Lexmark all in one connected to my laptop

    No problems at all so i dont think you will have any troubles.
     
    bhxtyrant, Mar 24, 2008
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  11. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    To address the subject of your question, I have never read (therefor cannot cite) or heard (see previous) of externals causing any battery issues. I suspect you are confusing that with the always plugged in with battery in. I always have battery in while plugged in. If you want to learn more than you ever wanted to know about Li-Ion batts and how to make them last longer look at the battery guide sticky.
     
    powerpack, Mar 24, 2008
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  12. FrankTabletuser

    FrankTabletuser Notebook Evangelist

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    There should be no problems, but,

    as you already said, you shouldn't close the lid, because laptops are designed to use the keyboard as a giant heatsink, so if you close the lid, your notebook runs much hotter and the fan gets louder.

    If possible you could also remove the battery while the laptop is connected to the AC-Adapter the whole time. Because heat is Li-Ion battery killer #1. So if you want to use a Li-Ion battery for a longer time (> 1 year) without too much wear, then it would be wise to remove the battery if you connect the laptop over a longer time (a few days) to the AC-Adapter.
     
    FrankTabletuser, Mar 24, 2008
    #12