Using a laptop screen as a monitor.

[punkrawk]

Ok, i know how laptops have video out to display stuff on a different monitor, but i need the exact oppostie. OK, i'm shipping off to college and i plan on having two computers, a pretty low end laptop to type **** on and play solitare, and then a kick *** rig in the dorm to act as my jukebox and what not. ok, now there are going to be alot of expenses involved with moving, so i wanted to have one less and use the laptops monitor as both my laptops monitor and my desktops monitor. is this possible at all? i know its unconventional, but the only other option is buying an LCD, and $$$ doesnt grow on trees for my families, so please let me know if what i am suggesting can be done. thanks.

[SkyDog]

Without some electrical re-engineering, I'm afraid it can't be done. I don't know of any laptops that have a "VGA in" for the LCD panel.

[russ_watters]

There are two possibilities, neither of which are all that attractive. First, you could use a TV card on the laptop to input a signal from the desktop. This will work, but it will give limited resolution and may involve some delay in signal.

Second, you could run a pcAnywhere/Laplink/remote desktop type network between the two. This works quite well for office apps, but not at all for things like 3d games and video.

If cost is the major factor here, I don't see why you couldn't buy a refurbished monitor online (I have a Viewsonic 17" refirb thats great) and have it shipped to your dorm room. $150 will get you a great 17" delivered.

[punkrawk]

Originally posted by russ_watters
There are two possibilities, neither of which are all that attractive. First, you could use a TV card on the laptop to input a signal from the desktop. This will work, but it will give limited resolution and may involve some delay in signal.

Second, you could run a pcAnywhere/Laplink/remote desktop type network between the two. This works quite well for office apps, but not at all for things like 3d games and video.

If cost is the major factor here, I don't see why you couldn't buy a refurbished monitor online (I have a Viewsonic 17" refirb thats great) and have it shipped to your dorm room. $150 will get you a great 17" delivered.

can u give me a link to a REPUTABLE refurb company please? ive seen a few, but they have crappy websites and look rather shady, so please show me where u got ur LCD. Im looking at 17"-19". whatevers a good deal. thanks

[russ_watters]

Actually, my refirb is a CRT, not LCD. I'm not sure I would trust a refurb LCD - lcd's don't last as long as crt's. And I got it from a computer store. Many if not most reputable computer stores and online stores sell refirbished products in addition to their normal new stuff. Just make sure it comes with at least a 90 day warranty so if its not what you were looking for you can send it back.