[PLUG] Looking for a new ubuntu laptop to connect to 2 external monitors

[Tomas Kuchta]

I use Thinkpad + dock for exactly that setup.

It works without any trouble, does not need discrete graphics - saving
power and weight, external monitors + headset + ... stays connected, no
messing with cables, just positives. No drivers, no Linux problems.

My office HP elite book with dock works similarly well.

Tomas

On Wed, May 2, 2018, 5:06 PM Matt McKenzie <lnxknight at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 3:56 PM c <cbpurcell at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > If it would only take you a few minutes to see if the external monitors
> > worked on the 7450 with a mint usb stick, I would definitely appreciate
> it.
> >
> > I thought Dell wasn't making anything but the usb-c and thunderbolt docks
> > now and I read some pretty bad reviews that led me to believe I needed to
> > give up on using a dock and just get something with 2 decent video outs
> on
> > it.
> >
> > Purcell
> >
> >
> OK I put the 7450 on a dock with 2 monitors connected by DVI, and booted a
> live Linux Mint USB.
> All 3 screens (including the built in) work normally, with extended display
> so I could put program windows on all 3.
> So basically, Linux report on 7450, it works like a champ :)
>
> You are correct, Dell does not *currently* make any more e-docks or
> computers that support them.
> Thus my caveat if you were OK to get something "pre-owned".
>
> The 7450 is not a current model but is still new-ish, it has available i5
> 5300 CPU, I think maxes out at 16GB DDR3 RAM, SSD capable, and lots of
> ports including ethernet.
> Plus it has the important e-dock connector as mentioned.  They can be had
> on eBay or other second hand sources.
> Since this is a Latitude it is the "business" line instead of the "home
> user" line so is built to last a bit better IMHO.
>
> Also as a point of reference, the new models like 7480, which use USB-C
> dock, work well enough. With our Windows users, yeah there are issues here
> and there.
> But then the older style docks weren't 100% perfect either. But like many
> others I do personally prefer the real dock with the PCI-connected e-port,
> instead of the USB-C port replicator.
>
> I have tested a 7480 with Linux (worked fine) but not with the dock yet.
>
> If I were in the market for a good reliable laptop, a slightly older
> Latitude like a 7450 would be my choice, since it can still use the e-port
> dock, has many built in ports, etc.
> YMMV, my $0.02 etc.
>
> Matt M.
> LinuxKnight
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 2:31 PM, Matt McKenzie <lnxknight at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > > On Wed, May 2, 2018 at 12:19 PM c <cbpurcell at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I'm starting to research laptop options for my new work machine. I
> like
> > > to
> > > > run ubuntu and I really want to get a laptop that I can connect to
> my 2
> > > > desktop monitors for most of my use. (yes I basically want something
> > that
> > > > functions like a docked machine/desktop, except for the ability to
> take
> > > it
> > > > to meetups, travelling, etc.)
> > > >
> > > >
> > > For this kind of use case, I would suggest look into a laptop that can
> > use
> > > a dock.
> > > You mention Dell Precision, that is one way to go.
> > >
> > > I would also suggest looking into Dell Latitude, if you are not opposed
> > to
> > > used models.
> > > The current Latitudes no longer have the Dell e-port that supports the
> > > hardware dock (that connects directly to the motherboard PCI bus, not
> > USB).
> > > The last e-port capable Latitudes I think are 7470 or somewhere around
> > > there.
> > > Our current issue laptops at $work are 7480s and have USB-C for
> docking,
> > no
> > > more e-port dock.
> > >
> > > But if you go with say a 7470, or 7450, and an e-dock, you can connect
> > dual
> > > monitors with DisplayPort or DVI, and its connected directly to PCI bus
> > and
> > > not USB.
> > >
> > > I have a 7450 here with dock and monitors, I can throw a live Fedora or
> > > Mint USB stick on it and test if you would like the results.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > I think that as long as I get something with a discrete video card, I
> > > > should be fine with connecting 2 external monitors with one rotated
> 90
> > > > degrees. I tried with a laptop with onboard graphics and rotated
> > monitors
> > > > would never work. From some research it looks like. Other people have
> > had
> > > > luck with multiple external monitors and rotation on linux as long as
> > > they
> > > > were using nvidia cards.
> > > >
> > > > Anyone on the LUG running a Dell precision laptop with multiple
> > external
> > > > monitors? Just curious if anyone had found they had an easy or a
> > > miserable
> > > > time with them.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Purcell
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Matt M.
> > > LinuxKnight
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > PLUG mailing list
> > > PLUG at pdxlinux.org
> > > http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
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