ThinkPad T410 - Connect 2 external monitors

[cjackman44]

Hello,

I am not very computer savvy so I apologize if this has been asked and answered elsewhere on this forum.  I have a ThinkPad T410 with the Intel chip inside, and I currently have one external monitor connected to the computer so that I have a split screen between the laptop screen and my external monitor.  I would like to add a second monitor so that I have a total of three monitors.  The people I have spoken to tell me that this is only possible if my T410 had the nVidia chip inside.  My question is if there is ANY way I can achieve this three-screen setup with a T410 containing the intel chip.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[nibs Guru]

There are external boxes that might allow this sort of setup. From what I have seen they are either expensive, slow (low refresh rate), or both.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

1. if you don't need to game or watch FHD movies on the external LCD, get a usb2dvi or usb2vga converter.

2. If you are handy and know your bits from your bytes, then get an eGPU with a desktop graphics card. It is ugly though.

3. If you want a ready to go desktop solution, get a Vidock4.

[cjackman44]

Thanks very much.  I don't need this for gaming or HD movies, just basic office functions.  That said, the usb2vga converter you mentioned would allow me to have 3 separate screens (2 external monitors and the internal LCD) even though i have the Intel chip inside?

Thanks again.  I appreciate all tthe help.

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

yes you can run additional monitor even with the Intel integrated GPU. You may occupy all the 3 free usb ports with usb2dvi converters for a total of 5 external LCDs support if you really up for it.

[cjackman44]

lead_org,

Thanks very much for the helpful info.  Just to clarify, the 2nd external monitor I intended to use has both DVI and VGA outputs (for that matter, it has USB outputs as well).  does it make a difference if I get a usb2vga versus a usb2dvi converter? 

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

functionally no... but USB2DVI does give you cleaner screen images, due to the digital video signal.