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    T400 - Advice on getting external monitor please

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by LeeAway, Nov 27, 2009.

  1. LeeAway

    LeeAway Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've had my T400 (switchable graphics, Vista Business 64, 3GB, p8600, 1440x900 backlit LED screen) for a year, and I am happy with it, but I now need more screen real estate. I need the monitor mainly for text, but I might also watch a DVD occasionally. Not a gamer.

    I have no experience using this computer with an external monitor. My experience with external monitors is archaic.

    I want at least a 1920x1200 resolution. Can I go higher?

    If I am using the integrated graphics on the laptop unattached to anything, and I then want to use external monitor, do I have to reboot.

    Do I want an Advanced Mini Dock? It sounds like I do, but this dock has been around for a while, is there a reason I might consider it out of date sometime in the next three years? If I do get the Advanced Mini Dock, is there an advantage to ordering it from Lenovo directly?

    Any info on software/tools/method of hookup or other tips to smooth the transition from solo laptop to laptop with desktop extended to external monitor?

    Thanks!
     
    LeeAway, Nov 27, 2009
    #1
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    The main issue you will have is that past 1680x1050 resolution, VGA (the only video out the T400 has) is not a particularly good choice - often, there are artifacts and image quality issues when you try to output higher than WSXGA+.

    No, you will not have to reboot.

    There will be a new series of docks with the next generation of Thinkpads, but they will not be compatible with the T400. The Advanced Mini Dock will allow you to output digital video, which is crucial if you want to output to monitors with resolution higher than 1680x1050.

    At least for projectors (I often do presentations), Lenovo's Thinkvantage Presentation Director is a great tool to use.
     
    MidnightSun, Nov 27, 2009
    #2
  3. LeeAway

    LeeAway Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you so much for the quick reply.

    From what I was reading, I thought I would have to reboot if I went from Intel graphics/undocked to ATI graphics/docked with desktop extended to external monitor. I am glad to hear that info is out of date.

    Thank you for the ThinkVantage Presentation Director info, I really see no reason for computer users to mess around with a bunch of settings for moving from one routinely used environment to another. Set up once then save. Isn't that what computers are for? :)
     
    LeeAway, Nov 27, 2009
    #3
  4. cassiohui

    cassiohui Notebook Evangelist

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    unfortunately the Presentation Director is discontinued under win7
     
    cassiohui, Nov 28, 2009
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