Hardware Q, about laptops

[LittleSkink]

maybe off topic for here, but just about fits

Having 'been digital' for a few months now I am finding my poor old laptop just aint up to the job of keeping up with storage, processing Raw or having enough screen space (heck 12.1" always seemed enough before)

So I am wanting to get a new machine, but it must do twin screen so I can have photo on one screen and all the RawTherapy or whatever dialogue boxes on the other (got twin screen at work and I would not go back to a single by choice)

Simple question really, can I do twin screen with a laptop (even laptop screen for dialogue boxes and calibrated external monitor for pics) or do I have to buy a big PC box with clever graphics card ? Googling got me no where and I wouldnt trust PC World to be able to answer the question. Or is there a good process/edit/store setup I have not thought of

all advice welcome (within reason) except maybe about Mac stuff as I have to use Windows kit to be able to 'work from home'

[JCSullivan]

Of course you can do dual screen with a laptop - if the graphics card can take it and definately the new ones WILL.

You can also do a dual screen using software like MaxiVistaViewer

[Okami]

Yeah almost all laptops made recently should be able to do dual screen. Once you get your new one if you have any trouble just send me a PM and I can walk you through it

[dkittle]

Dual screen is handled by most laptops, you shouldn't have a problem there.

The biggest problem I have right now is with Vista. It won't keep my monitor profile, instead defaulting back to it's normal (horrible) colors while the desktop is loading. There is some suggestion that UAC and the 'secure desktop' has something to do with this. Some people report that inserting a USB device can also reset Vista back to it's default profile. I've emailed ColorVision twice but have not gotten a response yet...

If you can, I'd suggest trying to get an XP laptop, rather than a Vista one.