Hardware solutions for adding a third monitor to a laptop?

Question

My primary development machine at work is a laptop. I currently run with two monitors, which the machine natively supports (an external monitor connected via the laptop's VGA or DVI port, plus the laptop's own attached screen).

I'd like to add a third monitor to my setup. What are some good hardware solutions for adding a third monitor, given that I can't add an additional internal PCI-E/PCI card to my machine?

(If anyone would care to offer hardware-specific solutions, my machine is a Lenovo Thinkpad T60 running Windows XP SP2.)

Update 10/3/2008 - Based in part on the answers here, I went ahead and ordered an IOGEAR GUC2020DW6 USB 2.0 External DVI Video Card; it's scheduled to arrive in a few days. I'll update this question again once I've received the card and have had a chance to try it out.

Update 10/13/2008 - The IOGEAR GUC2020DW6 is working out great. I'm using it on my laptop (Lenovo Thinkpad T60, Windows XP SP2) to drive a DVI monitor running at 1680x1050 resolution, and it works just fine. There is a bit of noticeable "lag" while dragging windows around on the screen, but the display is very snappy for text editing and moving the mouse around, and even for scrolling text within a window.

When I need to undock the laptop, I just unplug the USB cable, and Windows seamlessly removes that monitor from my desktop area. Afterward, I replug the cable, and the monitor is automatically re-added to my desktop area, the same way that I originally had it configured. (I have the IOGEAR's USB cable plugged directly into my laptop, rather than into the docking station; the USB ports on the docking station all failed about 13 months after I got it. Yes, the docking station did, in fact, have a 12-month warranty.)

Answer 1

Matrox makes a 3 up monitor hardware http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/

Answer 2

I have a USB to SVGA Adapter, under the IOGEAR brand. I think I got it at Newegg. Once you install, it appears in your display properties just like any other monitor.

Edit: Because of the throughput limitations of USB 2.0, though, its refresh rate leaves something to be desired. I usually just have documentation or other static content up in that monitor.

Answer 3

There are some PCMCIA video cards you can use that will allow 1 or 2 more monitors. VTBook is one example (can't deep link to the product, but you can find it fairly easy) http://www.vtbook.com/.

Or you can use a PCI video card in a pcmcia->pci expander.

http://realtimesoft.com/multimon/guide/laptops.asp has a few notes on these solutions and more.

Or, you can use a "virtual" monitor (not a hardware solution, it's software) by using MaxiVista http://www.maxivista.com/ which uses a second PC or laptop connected via network as another monitor

Answer 4

My understanding is that the PCMCIA video cards are really, really slow (really). I'm quite curious about people's experience with the Matrox hardware, though -- has anyone used it?

Answer 5

Do you have an open/free PCMCIA card slot? If so you can have a 3 monitor solution using VTBook.

You can read a review of it from Tom's Hardware.

Answer 6

Display Link USB Adapters. Excellent products, I have 2 attached to my laptop to give me 4 screens including the built-in panel

http://www.displaylink.com/shop.html

Answer 7

Just a side note, I've had issues with the DualHead2Go coupled with the laptop monitor. This may also apply to the TripleHead2Go. The issue is that it has trouble recognizing the monitors under this setup after the machine has been docked and undocked. Often times I would have to restart the laptop (a Lenovo t42) to get it to function correctly again.

Answer 8

I use 3 external monitors with a Macbook pro (256mb video) using a Digital TripleHead2Go. Every so often (once every 2 months?) I have to shut everything down and power it up without the triplehead2go attached.

Otherwise, if I plug in the TH2G USB, then the monitor, then attach the power, then press the keyboard to wake it up, it always comes up on 3 screens with the laptop itself closed.

When i put it to sleep and unhook the TripleHead2Go, I can open my laptop like normal.

Hope that helps.

Answer 9

I did my research and have decided to go the USB route with EVGA USB/DVI Adapter. This will be used for the second external monitor so refresh speed should not be an issue. It has great reviews from Amazon plus you can stack up to 6 of these devices (8 monitors) in case I ever want to wall myself into my office to hide from my wife. :)

I will post an update after I get it.

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-100-U2-UV16-A1-Supporting-1600x1200-Resolution/dp/B00191GZ8U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1236801666&sr=8-1

UPDATE: I have now been using this device for two months and it works like a charm. I purchased a Dell 19" 1400x900 monitor for $90 on sale and use this third monitor mostly for Outlook and Browsing. This frees up my laptop monitor and my HDMI HP 21" for development and debugging. If I had more room on my desk I would consider getting a fourth monitor. :)