Apple vs Windows Laptop Challenge: Docking to Multiple High Res Monitors

cwlondon

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Jan 17, 2016
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Dear TH Forum:

This is my first post - thank you for any help

My quirky requirements for a laptop have flustered so called experts and received nothing but blank stares from both Lenovo staff and Apple "geniuses" : (

The challenge:

1) I like to "clone" my desktops at home and office with at least 3 monitors in at least 1080.

2) Then, to use a docking station constantly at the ready for a) monitors (as above) b) full size keyboard and/or input devices c) external hard drives d) external audio e) other USB capabilities etc

3) However, I otherwise want my laptop to be as thin and light as possible.


Because when I am not docked and seated at one of my desks, I might want to wander around the house, take it to a coffee shop, watch a movie or listen to music on an airplane etc.

When mobile, screen size not as important (although I would still like a high res, glossy screen) but weight and battery life are important.

In my latest iteration of this puzzle, I am using:

Lenovo T430s
Docking station
16 GB RAM / memory
NVIDIA Upgrade option


Generally, this has worked pretty well for me. It is stable using 3 external 27" Samsung monitors and I especially like how quickly I can click into and out of the dock - without having to manually attach any cables. But after 3 years - a lifetime in technology - I am craving improvements.


A) After 3 years, the native screen on the Lenovo is looking a bit dull and a bit too matte....

B) When docked, I tried some 34" LG ultra wide monitors - looked amazing - but was not stable and the system crashed. I like the panoramic perspective of 3 x 34" curved if I could somehow get this to work? Or how about this? As the prices fall, why not 4K! 3 x 4K in OLED would be very nice.

C) I know not easy - but would love to do this in a smaller, lighter machine. So for example, the bigger Lenovos with dedicated graphics cards add 2" and 2 lbs?? That's a big difference when rushing through an airport.


Re Windows

In summary, any new or forthcoming developments in Lenovo laptops / ultrabooks that could drive this type of setup?

(The X1 apparently cant even touch my 3 year old T430s....would love it if an X250 could do all of this but I doubt it...)

I noticed the Alienware video docking station which might work (?) but somehow couldnt imagine walking into a meeting with one of their machines.

Re Apple

I love the hardware and I love the look of the native retina screens.
But no one at any Apple store has ever heard of using more than one or max two external screens. Again I would like AT LEAST three. Also, would want the machine to be fast and powerful enough to run Windows without any headaches.

Re Third Party Solutions

Third party software or hardware was the only thing proposed by Apple, but I would rather avoid this which I assume would contribute to more mess, wires and instability.


Look forward to hearing from the true geniuses and solving this puzzle for 2016.


Best regards

 
Solution
I don't know if any laptop can send output to 3 4k monitors, if only due to the output port specs and limitations. You'd need a gaming system or a workstation system for that though if anything can do it, at least for the next 4-5 years. I don't see a general use system, even a pricy one, running three high res monitors for a bit.
You have to figure out if you want good multi monitor support for high res or size.

Try Lenovo W550s, slim with a good video card that should run higher res monitors with a dock. Not a huge upgrade over the T430s aside from the graphics, but good enough to be worth it to you maybe.
 

cwlondon

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Jan 17, 2016
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Thank you - I have been so frustrated by Lenovo and no one being able to solve this problem that I missed the slim version of their "workstation" which does indeed look like it has more firepower on the graphics side...

Will need to inquire whether this would drive three LG 34" monitors (?) and/or three 4K monitors (?) without breaking a sweat.

Re "good multi monitor support" vs "size" - sounds like I may not be able to do this with an ultrabook just yet?
 
I don't know if any laptop can send output to 3 4k monitors, if only due to the output port specs and limitations. You'd need a gaming system or a workstation system for that though if anything can do it, at least for the next 4-5 years. I don't see a general use system, even a pricy one, running three high res monitors for a bit.
 
Solution

cwlondon

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Well the next best thing would be 3 x the 34" monitors such as the LG 34UC97.

I am hoping the W550s could handle that? (Again, the T430s could not...)

After that, to be able to do what I am doing now (3 x 27" curved Samsungs in 1080)
but with a smaller computer that is better for traveling - such as a Lenovo X250 or one of the new MacBook Pros?

Then, I would consider upgrading to OLED screens in the lower 1080 resolution.

(There are multi monitor 4K setups on youtube, but with full size workstations obviously.)

Obviously not a "normal" request for a laptop, but hey that's why I came to this forum.

Thanks for all help.

 
Have you tried contacting the sales department of laptop makers and seeing what they say? They have access to engineers and testers to ask questions of, better than asking tech support which may not have more advanced details till you get to level 3 techs.