I don't desperately need a second monitor for my PC, but I have access to an under-used laptop. I read that it can be run as a second monitor connected to the PC, maybe through software such as MaxiVista. Is anyone doing this? What was your experience? Is there a better way of doing it?
0007
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I have a similar situation to this-having several spare laptops lying around the place. Originally I wanted to do the same as you but it involves extra expense which I didn't consider worthwhile.
what I've done is to connect a laptop to a spare port on my router and use it to read any other appropriate financial source. This doesn't work if you wish to split the pages from one source (e.g. your broker) but it's good for news or reading T2W and can enable your main PC to be dedicated to trading.
a further thing I have done with another of my laptops (a net book) is to put it on the desk, taking up a very small footprint, switch it on with the lid closed and feed the picture through to an old 15 inch flat screen monitor - this overcomes the problem of only having a nine inch screen which is useful when carrying/travelling but too fiddly alongside my normal 22 inch screen.
neither of these solutions is exactly what you want but they are at least cheap!
(dictated with voice recognition software-apologies for any typos)
Mornington Crescent
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In practice, I suspect it would be simpler to just use a router
would that not give you what you want ?
would that not give you what you want ?
gedward3
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Thanks both. I don't want to do anything complex and certainly don't want to spend big money for what is essentially a luxury. I would like to have a window open on the laptop for, say, a news website, while my platform and other stuff is running on the PC screen as normal.
My cheap BT router only has ports spare for DSL and a phone so I suspect that's out.
I should have a bit more time in the next few days to investigate this MaxiVista programme.
Cheers.
My cheap BT router only has ports spare for DSL and a phone so I suspect that's out.
I should have a bit more time in the next few days to investigate this MaxiVista programme.
Cheers.
DionysusToast
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Tom
I run 2 laptops anyway - it's always nice to have a spare in case one craps out. The downside is you can't run the same software on the other PC as both IB & Tradestation don't like that.
I just downloaded MaxiVista demo & hooked it up - the quality is excellent and the installation very simple. I just hooked up a spare lan cable between the PCs & it worked without me having to do any configuration.
Let's see how it does when the markets wake up.
Cheers
DT
I run 2 laptops anyway - it's always nice to have a spare in case one craps out. The downside is you can't run the same software on the other PC as both IB & Tradestation don't like that.
I just downloaded MaxiVista demo & hooked it up - the quality is excellent and the installation very simple. I just hooked up a spare lan cable between the PCs & it worked without me having to do any configuration.
Let's see how it does when the markets wake up.
Cheers
DT
Sounds interesting. I'm sure what I want to do is very simple. Unless your system fails I will have a look at downloading the demo software too, I'm cautious at doing things to my PC so it's nice to know there's a demo possibility. Cheers.
WinstonSmith
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There are a few maxivista videos on YouTube if anyone wants to see it working.
DionysusToast
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Tom - so far it's fine here - 2 trading days completed with no issues.
I have also used a USB->DVI connection to add a 23"LCD to the laptop. In fact I tried the following:
1) Laptop screen
2) LCD 1 - plugged into laptops external monitor port
3) LCD 2 - plugged into laptops USB port
4) Laptop 2 - connected via LAN cable & Maxivista
So that's 4 screens running off a Fujitsu Lifebook E Series with windows 7 64 bit, Centrino 2 with 4MB RAM.
Running:
- 3 screens with Tradestation (DOM, T&S, 2 charts on each),
- 1 Screen with IBs TWS (portfolio & option trader) and Ninja (3 charts, 3 DOMs & main control window).
Also running Firefox with Briefing in play but usually minimized. Performance is fantastic.
You have to disable the 'screen shutdown' feature on laptop 2 as Maxivista can't handle the screen coming back to life.
The Maxivista via the Ethernet port is MUCH clearer than the USB->DVI I am using. it is as good as my main screen.
Thumbs up from me.
I was looking at a new PC for trading but I MUCH prefer a factory made laptop to a local (Thai) shop putting one together. I'm going to stay with this setup for now. Thanks for the tip.
I have also used a USB->DVI connection to add a 23"LCD to the laptop. In fact I tried the following:
1) Laptop screen
2) LCD 1 - plugged into laptops external monitor port
3) LCD 2 - plugged into laptops USB port
4) Laptop 2 - connected via LAN cable & Maxivista
So that's 4 screens running off a Fujitsu Lifebook E Series with windows 7 64 bit, Centrino 2 with 4MB RAM.
Running:
- 3 screens with Tradestation (DOM, T&S, 2 charts on each),
- 1 Screen with IBs TWS (portfolio & option trader) and Ninja (3 charts, 3 DOMs & main control window).
Also running Firefox with Briefing in play but usually minimized. Performance is fantastic.
You have to disable the 'screen shutdown' feature on laptop 2 as Maxivista can't handle the screen coming back to life.
The Maxivista via the Ethernet port is MUCH clearer than the USB->DVI I am using. it is as good as my main screen.
Thumbs up from me.
I was looking at a new PC for trading but I MUCH prefer a factory made laptop to a local (Thai) shop putting one together. I'm going to stay with this setup for now. Thanks for the tip.
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I am impressed with this, good work. Got to press on with my research into MaxiVista.
HowardCohodas
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Never heard of MaxiVista before. Am I ever glad I read this thread. Saved be from making some major investments that were unnecessary. Thanks to all of you who commented on this.
