Possible to use laptop screen as external screen?

[WinSpecToR]

I was wondering if it is possible to use a laptop screen as an external monitor to connect to a laptop. We all know you can connect a laptop to a monitor but is it possible to connect a desktop to use the laptop's screen?

[Baldrick]

No. Laptops doesn't have any vga, dvi/hdmi input.

[jagabo]

It's not practical. You would have to disassemble the laptop, get schematics for the data and power connectors, and build custom cables.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Laptop-Converted-to-2nd-Monitor/

[garryward]

YES
http://www.maxivista.com/
I have used it with XP but I have never tried it with Win 7

[Baldrick]

Forgot about remote desktop solutions. You just need a network connection then.

[garryward]

another link http://www.zoneos.com/zonescreen.htm

[jagabo]

I thought the rest of the laptop was non-functional.

[Cornucopia]

Even if the laptop is functional and you got one of those softwares to work, you'll get MAJOR lag & refresh problems. It won't be like using a native monitor, that's for sure...

Scott

[AlanHK]

Even if the laptop is functional and you got one of those softwares to work, you'll get MAJOR lag & refresh problems. It won't be like using a native monitor, that's for sure...

Actually, Jagabo's link above: http://www.instructables.com/id/Laptop-Converted-to-2nd-Monitor/
doesn't really convert the laptop to a monitor, it just repackages it as a PC running Linux. He says it was fast enough to play videos, so it may be good enough.

Once the monitor has booted Knoppix off of its CD, A program called MaxiVistaViewer (running under wine) takes over. The main system picks up the Viewer off the network, and with MaxiVIsta Server, creates the equivalent of a super fast RDP. The main system then stretches its screen onto the 2nd monitor. The second monitor runs well enough over the network that I can watch DVD's on it. Also, with MaxiVIsta I can "chain" up to 4 monitors together into one display, or even utilize it as a "Soft-KVR" using one keyboard and mouse to control all four systems.

You could do this without any of the hardware mods to see how well it works.

[jagabo]

Even if the laptop is functional and you got one of those softwares to work, you'll get MAJOR lag & refresh problems. It won't be like using a native monitor, that's for sure...

Actually, Jagabo's link... doesn't really convert the laptop to a monitor, it just repackages it as a PC running Linux.

You're right. I didn't read it closely!