Multi monitor setup on a laptop?

Hello,
I am interested in setting up a multi monitor system for my laptop. I have a few questions, what is the best hardware out there right now? I have been looking at usb to hdmi/dvi units, in particular to this unit

Arkview USB-2011 USB to 2.0 DVI/HDMI/SVGA Display Adapter - 1920x1200, Female DVI/USB mini-B, DVI, VGA, HDMI at TigerDirect.com

also matrox makes a usb united that looks interesting, MATROX TRIPLEHEAD2GO DIGITAL EDITION :

Matrox Graphics - Products - Graphics eXpansion Module - TripleHead2Go

my question is there anything better or cheaper right now? both units seem old and expensive. i can get the maxtor for like 100 on ebay and the other one for make 50 at tigerdirect.

any suggestions would be appreciated thx

 

bear in my mind, if u want to hook up 3 monitors, you'll have to buy 3 UGA adapters if you choose the Displaylink option; whereas Matrox TH2G box allows you to connect 3 monitors in itself.

also Matrox runs off your laptop's internal graphics card whereas Displaylink utilises your CPU as a virtualized GPU. note the inherent screen resolution implications there.

 

I have used both a Matrox and a USB adapter.

In the end I ended up with 2 USB adapters.

Reasons.

1.) Matrox makes one large virtual monitor not indivudual monitors with a spanned desktop, this caused a LOT of problems with applications full screening, or that open in the center of my monitor. Things were always stuck between the monitors and it was not really usable.

2.) The computer I wanted to use the Matrox with was using a Intel GMA it could not support the full resolution of the extended monitors so I had to use a lower resolution than native.

3.) Matrox is expensive

The ONLY negative I have with the USB adapter is that it takes up cpu power, however this has not been a problem the computers have C2D CPU's and it does not add any significant cpu load.


Now as for the best USB adapter, in my mind without a doubt this is the one you want: For only $45.60 each when QTY 50+ purchased - USB 2.0 to DVI Display Adapter - (QWXGA) | USB to Video Converters

The reason is its quality is up there with the $100 adapters, it has no limitations on resolution or refresh rate, it includes all the adapters, and its compatible with all operating systems.

Even in the $100 range I found limitations on some of the adapters, this one seems flawless for a fraction of the price. Monoprice has great prices and quality on all there products.

The Arkview is a clone of this product. It uses the same internal chipset most probably considering it supports the same OS selection & resolutions. Its even using the same case with a different color

 

How big resolution have you used, does it slow down badly at high res? Like playing a fullscreen video at 1920x1200 screen?

I've seen some adapters that were more or less slideshow but worked just fine if ran at 1280x800. It was explained to be limits of USB bandwidth.

 

Get an Alienware m11x it supports dual monitor in digital format.

 

1600x1200 no issues.

These are made for office work and stuff though, not so much video though video should be fine.