Quick w700ds question

How does the GPU handle the pull out screen? What I mean is since mobile GPUs can only handle 2 monitors, is it possible to use the internal 2 and an external LCD as well. I would like a triplehead2go setup and am wondering if the w700ds could do that and the internals both going.

 

Some mobile GPUs can handle even 4 external monitors (FirePro M7820).
AFAIK you should be perfectly fine with 2.5 monitors
But you can give Lenovo a call and verify.

 

I think the pull out monitor is handled as additional monitor, not sure whether the video out ports are disabled or not.

 

I am hoping it is handled like 1 lcd.

 

It's definitely handled like two monitors. The GottaBeMobile ink show for the w700ds I saw a while back [ link] clearly shows Windows treating the 2nd LCD as a new device (with accompanying beep) when it's pulled out. However, I don't know if this disables using a third monitor (I fear it might).

Edit - Looks like they're turned off

 

Well thats just a deal breaker for me. Great on the go, but when Im at the office or home(the two places Im at the most) the second screen becomes useless if I cant use an external as well.

 

Uh, can't you just use your bigger monitor and just not use the fairly small 10.6" LCD?

 

Why don't you go with the W701? If you need more than 1 external monitor support look into HP 8740w.

 

The allure is to use the 17in and 10.6 for everything minus my game which would be on 3x 22in LCDs on a triplehead2go. Still kinda on the fence though.

I can get a w700ds equipped the way i want/need for less then the price of a base w701. Sadly my budget changed a little.

 

Then go for a W700ds hands down, I'm sure there will be updates/drivers to fix the issue and allow triple screen setups.

 

Well Im not settled quite yet, need to wait for the temps to come back on a quad core MSI gx640. If they are what i think they will be Ill start shopping today. Would be nice to have a q9000 fx3700 w700ds with webcam but I have yet to find one on the outlet.

 

This will NOT happen. The GPU in the w700ds (like almost all mobile GPUs) is only a DualHead card. The 17" and 10.6" displays are treated independently and you're not going to be able to use both along with an external display unless you utilize a device with an external GPU (e.g. ViDock or DisplayLink).

 

Well, if the 10.6" display utilizes the second head 100% instead sharing one with the 17" - that's too bad...

 

I cannot believe I forgot about that option, sadly it only supports 2 monitors. I guess I could get it and save up for an eyefinity GPU.