Laptop-powered additional screen?

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wendyh65

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#111993 22-Nov-2012 09:26

A friend has asked me about this - I don't know the answer so am turning to you guys to see if someone knows.

A display at a market using a laptop would be greatly enhanced by the use of a second screen attached to the laptop, that could face a different direction for the public to see. However, there is no power outlet available at the site, so the screen would have to be powered by the laptop.

I assume the laptop is a Windows-based one, but I don't know any details at this stage. I can ask if it's relevant.

Does such a screen exist?

Kind Regards,
Wendy

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#721147 22-Nov-2012 09:39

Yes, they started appearing on the market about a year ago - generally powered via USB. Can't say I've seen them locally though.

e.g.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5750/capsule-review-gechics-onlap-1302-laptop-monitor
http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/monitor/lt1421/
http://us.aoc.com/monitor_displays/e1649fwu

wellygary

8328 posts

Uber Geek

#721154 22-Nov-2012 09:48

probably easier to buy a cheap tablet and extend/mirror the display

http://lifehacker.com/5870378/use-your-ipad-or-android-tablet-as-a-second-monitor-for-your-computer

Running a second screen via USB is gonna kill the battery life on the laptop, and as you say there is no power point nearby

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#721158 22-Nov-2012 09:51

Use a Mimo Monitor (powered via USB). I have a 7" one here and it works well. I bought mine from an Australian distributor a couple of years ago.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#721160 22-Nov-2012 09:52

KevinL: Yes, they started appearing on the market about a year ago - generally powered via USB. Can't say I've seen them locally though.

e.g.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5750/capsule-review-gechics-onlap-1302-laptop-monitor
http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/monitor/lt1421/
http://us.aoc.com/monitor_displays/e1649fwu

The AOC e1649fwu is listed in some local retailers. The Lenovo LT1421 is available as well.

wendyh65

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#721162 22-Nov-2012 09:55

Thanks KevinL, wellgary and Mauricio! Didn't expect such a positive response so quickly - you've made my day. :-)

I'll pass your advice on to my friend.

mxpress

376 posts

Ultimate Geek

#721169 22-Nov-2012 10:03

I would suggest a small invertor, running off car battery to power both a standard LED monitor and the Laptop. Even without an external monitor, the laptop battery won't last long.

mxpress

boby55

1539 posts

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#721174 22-Nov-2012 10:07

$150 from Noel Leeming Here, I personally have used one, While you probably won't be able to game on it just having it display a webpage / document its perfect.

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gzt

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#721175 22-Nov-2012 10:08

wellygary: Running a second screen via USB is gonna kill the battery life on the laptop, and as you say there is no power point nearby

If only one screen is in use most of the time using a blank screensaver on the master screen with a short timeout will help a bit.