[NTLUG:Discuss] slightly off topic - external monitor for linux laptop

[Fred James]

Chris Cox wrote:
> Fred James wrote:
>   
>> All
>> If I hook a monitor to the video out (15 pin) on my laptop, the screen 
>> shows up there too - right?
>>     
>
> No, not necessarily.  In fact, very few laptops do this.
>
> Most will have a hard or soft key sequence to direct output
> to the external display.  Newer laptops use a lot of soft keying...
> so it might not work at all (possible).
>
>   
>> If that monitor is big (as in bigger than the one on the laptop) the 
>> image on it is a magnified version of the image on the laptop screen - 
>> right?
>>     
>
> :)  Again, not necessarily.. and usually the answer is no nowadays.
> The external monitor may be detected as a separate monitor with separate
> display characteristics... so it's possible that the screen will
> adjust to just the native resolution of the external display.
>
>   
>> If that's all correct so far - any gotcha's I should look out for? - 
>>     
>
> I wish it was "correct"... the truth is that it varies depending
> on the make and model of laptop.  There is NO consistency.
>
>   
>> will any monitor do, or is it band and model specific?
>> Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer
>>     
>
> Need more info... laptop make/model, GPU, display, etc.
>   
Chris Cox
laptop make/model:  Gatway MX8734
GPU?  Intel Corp. Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated 
Graphics Controller (VGA compatible controller)
(is that what you mean?) Vendor ID 0x8086; Device ID 0x27a2; Sub vendor 
ID 0x107b; Sub device ID 0x0685; Card:Intel 810 or later
Display: 17" Ultrabright (tm) WXGA+ TFT
Anything else?
Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer
Regards
Fred James