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Product Review forThe Matrox DualHead2Go
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"Building on the innovation of their high-performance multi-display add-in boards, Matrox has developed Graphics eXpansion Modules (GXMs), a new line of patent-pending technology that allows you to add multi-display support to your system via external connectivity." One of these products is the Matrox DualHead2Go.
The Matrox DualHead2Go is a well crafted product. It can take a single monitor output and allow two monitors to then be hooked up to that single output and receive unique display signals. It allows a laptop user to add up to 2 extra monitors to their external monitor signal output. Or a Desktop workstation with two monitor outputs to easily upgrade to three monitor outputs. You can run your Windows desktop at up to 2560 x 1024 resolution in 16.7M colors at 60Hz stretched across two displays (1280 x 1024 per display). Because it’s an external product, rather than an internal PCI type card, it’s easy to use to quickly upgrade any laptop or desktop.
The DualHead2Go comes with a PowerDesk Control Panel software that allows you to configure the monitor output. You can either send a cloned signal to the double monitors plugged into the DualHead2Go or use your extra monitors as one big monitor, expanding your desktop across all the viewable area. This means not only an increase in desktop workspace, but easier workflow resulting in an increase in productivity.
Like Bill Gates, the chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft said in Fortune Magazine on April 4, 2006, "On my desk I have three screens, synchronized to form a single desktop. I can drag items from one screen to the next. Once you have that large display area, you'll never go back, because it has a direct impact on productivity."
Whether you're a business professional or a home office user, having multiple monitors gives you the ability to organize your workspace more efficiently and simplify the management of multiple documents. The use of multi-display systems are increasing in today's working environments in every computer-using vocation. Once you've tried a multi-display system, it's very difficult to go back due to the freedom gained with more desktop space.
The DualHead2Go, like Wesley Willis would say, is “very affordable”. Priced at under $200, this is a very logical solution to providing additional monitor output without having to replace your current video card or tear open your computer. Since it’s an external solution, installing the DualHead2Go is incredibly easy. You simply plug it into your existing video card, install a little bit of software, and you're good to go! Before Matrox came out with their line of Graphics eXpansion Modules, to get more video outputs you used to have to open up your computer, throw aside your existing video card, install a new one with more outputs, a then install new software drivers for your new video card. This left you open to new software driver conflicts. The DualHead2Go uses the drivers from your existing video card and saves you the headache of compatibility issues or having to open up your workstation.
Seeing Double
Unlike its TripleHead2Go counterpart, the DualHead2Go supports cloning mode across all the monitors attached to its Graphics eXpansion Module. This can be used to clone two primary monitors, or two secondary monitors. The advantage to this over cloning your primary monitor in training mode is that you have more control over what the viewers will see. You keep confidential things on your primary monitor, and then only drag what they’ll see on your 2nd monitor set in clone mode. It allows for a smoother presentation, keeping the project itself hidden, and only showing the finished project. I could see this being good for PowerPoint or video presentations.
But like the TripleHead2Go, the Matrox DualHead2Go will support stretched mode supplying a high resolution image stretched across two monitors. The image on each monitor is a unique monitor image, each with correct resolution. There isn’t any “pixel stretching” across the monitors. Each monitor gives clean clear pixel imagery and looks great!
In the Box, you get:
• DualHead2Go connector box
• 2-foot HD15-to-HD15 (analog) monitor cable
• External USB power adapter
• Quickstart paper and CD, which includes the following software:
- Install package
- PowerDesk SE (includes Image quality adjustment, center popup, window management, etc.)
- Electronic Product Manual
Summary
If you own a laptop and want two additional monitors, get a DualHead2Go. If you have a Dual Head video card, and would like up to 4 monitors without having to replace your current video card and break your bank, get a DualHead2Go for three monitors, and two DualHead2Go units for four monitors. Although, be aware, that the GXM products were designed with a 1 unit per system configuration support model. Matrox doesn't to recommend or officially support a multiple GMX configuration. If you have an old single head video card that can’t be replaced with a Dual Head Video Card and you want two monitors, get a DualHead2Go. Supporting cloned mode or stretched mode, you can find a variety of reasons to Go DualHead2Go.
P.S. – If you like the Features of the DualHead2Go, but want up to THREE monitor outputs from a single monitor plug-in, check out the TripleHead2Go.
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