Monitoring the field

Q: I enjoyed the February 2011 JofA article “Increase Productivity With Multiple Monitors” (page 28), which addressed using multiple monitors with a desktop computer, but is there an easy solution that allows our audit staff to use dual monitors with their Windows laptops in the field?

A: I applaud the desire to help your audit staff become more productive in the field. In this situation, consider using a Field Monitor—a durable, lightweight external monitor from Mobile Monitor Technologies LLC that attaches to your laptop using a simple USB connection. Its Monitor2Go device (shown below) is priced starting at $279 and, if desired, up to six Field Monitor display units can be linked together daisy-chain style on a single laptop without the need for using a special video card. You can learn more about these devices at mmt2.com.

In addition, Matrox Graphics produces a device called DualHead2Go (shown below) that lets you connect up to two additional monitors to your laptop using the video output port. The device is priced starting at $229, and you must supply the additional monitors. For more information, visit matrox.com.

Plugable provides a similar device, called a UGA-2K-A USB to VGA/DVI/HDMI Adapter (shown below), which connects an external monitor to a laptop using the USB port, and up to three additional monitors using three adapters and three USB ports (in which case a USB hub may be required). It is priced starting at $64, and you must supply the additional monitors. For more information, visit plugable.com.