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If you are looking for information on Multi-Monitors for Desktops - Click Here.
 The days of traders confined to their homes or offices are long gone. More
and more successful traders and investors take their mobile trading
platforms and trading charting software with them to
wherever they want to be at a particular period in time. Mobile computer systems have really grown up and now allow you the capability
to have multiple monitors connected to your laptop, notebook or desknote. There are essentially 3 ways that you can get your notebook to display on multi-monitors i.e. using the built-in dual-head VGA card, using an external device like the Matrox DualHead2Go or DigitalTiger's SideCar and finally using a PCMCIA card with multiple VGA outputs. These options are explained below:
Dual-Head Display Laptops
Most modern laptops currently in the market, like the hugely popular IBM ThinkPad (now Lenovo ThinkPad) series of notebook computers, have multi-monitor support as a standard feature. The video graphics (VGA) cards built into these machines are dual-head versions and as such, these computers will normally have a blue-colored "VGA Out" connector for the second monitor and an additional "S-Video" output for TVs or external projectors. If you're in the market for a laptop or notebook computer that can utilize multi-monitors, the ThinkPad T Series
 , come highly recommended. Make sure you check out the Lenovo Home Page
 and also these very Special Laptop Offers, which can help you save a bundle on a new or refurbished unit.
Extended Multi Monitor Desktops
For laptops, the current Microsoft Windows operating systems like Vista and Windows XP, have the capability to extend your laptop/notebook screen to the 2nd monitor thereby increasing your usable workspace. For those who prefer Linux, Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) has also built-in laptop multi-monitor capability. Other legacy operating systems like Windows 2000 and Windows 98 are however just restricted to displaying a mirror image of the primary desktop, which is useful for presentation purposes when using an external projector. (** Note
that Win2000 & Win98 can however display unique extended screens for
desktop systems with dual-head or mutiple VGA cards
installed).
Matrox DualHead2Go
 Matrox has introduced the DualHead2Go, which is actually an external multi-display upgrade that is not a graphics card, but rather a palm-sized box that sits outside of your system. DualHead2Go takes the existing single monitor display output (i.e. external VGA output) from your system and expands it into dual display outputs, allowing you to run your Windows desktop at up to 2560 x 1024 resolution stretched across two displays. Using DualHead2Go in conjunction with the built-in display of your laptop, you actually benefit from 3 displays at a time.
Appian Traveller
If your laptop doesn't have the dual-head VGA card, you can install a 3rd
party PC Card (PCMCIA) from Appian called the Appian Traveler which gives your
laptop multi-monitor capability. This card supports digital (DVI) output
and supports resolutions up to 1280 x 1024. Appian has discontinued this product but you may be able to find some new or used units on eBay.
SideCar Concept
 DigitalTigers has a very
innovative approach towards offering multi-monitor support for laptops and
notebook computers. They have developed an accessory called the
"SideCar" that enables the user to drive up to four extra
displays from a WindowsXP/2000 mobile system. The SideCar attaches to the
notebook via a simple PC Card interface and when combined with a notebook's
built-in LCD display and external monitor, you can display up to six displays
with a single Windows laptop!
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