Paging computer nerds

[Eagle]

I have a relatively new Dell Inspiron desktop computer with a Dell 23-inch flat screen monitor. Operating system is Windows 7 (factory install). The computer is set up to support dual monitors. The specific Dell monitor that shipped with the computer has been discontinued, and I don't feel like spending Dell's asking price for a mismatched monitor to try out dual screens.

I have a flat screen television in the guest room that's the same screen size. It has both VGA and HDMI inputs. Is there any reason why I couldn't connect the spare television to the computer and run that as a second screen?

[DirtyComanche]

Even on the best resolution settings that the TV supports, it might be less than ideal picture quality.  It depends what you're planning to do with it.

 

Given you have it on hand, I'd try it out.  If you don't like it you're just out some time and maybe having to buy a cable.

[Eagle]

The resolution (and the refresh rate) were my concerns. I don't know (since right now there's only one minitor connected to the computer) whether Windows 7 allows dual monitors to be set for differing resolutions.

 

Cable isn't a problem -- I have a bazillions cables around here, including a couple that will work. I know I have several VGA cables, and I'm pretty sure I have an HDMI cable as well.

 

Computer is used for work (word processing, spreadsheet, etc.) light CADD (AutoCAD LT, 2-D only), and web surfing. No gaming.

[DirtyComanche]

Win7 should allow for each of them to be set to a different resolution.

[Blue XJ]

You should be able to set different resolutions. I run 3 monitors with my laptop on win7 at work, they are all different sizes running different resolution. The question would be, does it support the correct aspect ratio, go into the graphics properties and see if there is an option that matches the tv resolution (??? x 1080)