X201 + External Monitor

Hi...

The X201 is cruising along quite nicely, thank you very much!

Now, I am looking to add an external monitor. I thought long and hard about the ultrabase, but I think I will skip it. It's not good news that the newly released X220 will not use the same ultrabase, but the more traditional dock, which means that if I buy the ultrabase - sooner or later - it will become a dead investment.

So, the question is:

If I buy a regular (matte screen) external monitor, it surely will come with a connecting cable. Can I attach the cable to the VGA port on the X201 and be good to go? Or, will I need a mediating cable between the laptop and the monitor?

Thanks in advance.

 

Depending on the model and make of the monitor, it may not have a VGA cable supplied. Since HDMI is the "latest and greatest" it may come with one of those. Just check the site or ask the company if a VGA cable is included. If not, they go for $10-$20. And finally, the VGA cable simply connects from the laptop to your monitor without any additional equipment.

 

VGA, to me, is not the best choice for connecting a monitor. I suggest you get an Ultrabay and use the displayport for optimal image quality.

 

Make sure the monitor has a VGA port and you should be golden. If it doesnt , but has a DVI there are adapters to VGA that are pretty cheap. But as long as you connect the LCD to the laptop you should be good to go, no man in the middle hardware is necessary.

As for the ultrabase I can see your point if youre only going to keep the laptop for a short period of time. If you plan on keeping it 2+ years it will come in handy.

 

Thanks all. This is good to know. I don't need the second monitor for anything sophisticated. Primarily, I want a larger workspace when I am at my desk. Mostly I will be using Word docs, PDFs etc. Nothing fancy...no games etc.

Thanks for all the info. I'll make sure the monitor comes with a VGA, alternatively, I'll ask the guy to get me a converter cable.

I think I will skip the ultrabase - as Sphinx said, it is likely that I won't keep this laptop for over two years. I'll probably "upgrade" within the next 16 months or so. And, since I am fairly certain that I will keep to the 12.x" screen size (unless 14" ThinkPads become as light and powerful as the X2xx machines, or a svelte 13" ThinkPad magically appears (I wish!)), I'd probably want a dock that fits at least a couple of iterations of the X2xx line. The ultrabase does not answer to that requirement, which is really a shame!

 

Yeah Id probably be in your shoes if my dock didnt come with my x200s. Honestly with the slice batteries they are using (hoping this trend continues) Im probably done with docks unless they make it able to dock with the battery still connected. Dont get me wrong docks are AWESOME! and a necessity, but Ill take a slice battery over docking.