laptops vs LCD

[nov]

With all the cheap laptops available with big screens, ,small screens, ,etc. I am wondering what the advantage of these lcd screens really is. I mean if I can go and buy a laptop on ebay for 10-20 dollars, and buy another one for a spare screen and parts, why would I want an LCD gizmo?
Just trying to figure out the whole picture here.

I do see one advantage - that is size.. I suppose you can't get many laptops with screens really really really small. But the whole point of a screen is to be fairly visible, right? Anyway thanks - great forum here!

[Mat-Moo]

Most of the laptop lcd's are actually no good unless you have the controller and everything else to drive them. Seconly once you enter a game 2nd monitors (as it would be) are not useable. Basically if you do get one and hook it up, it's just a 2nd monitor, bbut a LCD/FVD like this is an external information engine IMO. Like the screen can be off, or I can be playing a game and still read/see info. The other advantage that the MO's have are the GPO's which you can use to turn on/off indicators and the ability to have a mini keypad as well, allowing you to control the LCD/VFD and it's software. Personally I'd love a 2nd screen as well, but I ain't really got space for it!

[bluetooth]

You could also buy a brand new standard character LCD for $12 from digikey, but what Matrix Orbital has done is add a bunch of custom electronics to make things better. First of all, they work over serial or USB (depends on model), so you don't need a parallel port or vga port to drive it. Second, they've added keypad inputs and general purpose outputs. These are great for adding buttons, and controlling fans, lights, etc...

Finally, since they are simple character displays, it is very easy to control them. If you put enough effort into it, you could accomplish all these same things with the raw components, but if you don't have the time or the knowledge, I find the MO displays are great.

[Mat-Moo]

You could also buy a brand new standard character LCD for $12 from digikey.

Although may I add that probably won't be backlit, and I've had a couple of other character displays and the quality/contrast has not been anywhere near as good (or maybe my soldering skills are just crap!)

[bobb]

I mean if I can go and buy a laptop on ebay for 10-20 dollars, and buy another one for a spare screen and parts, why would I want an LCD gizmo?

Ahhhh.... did you read the eBay listing carefully? you are buying a non-working laptop panel. And no, you cannot pop in Radio Shack, but a $2 IC and make that panel come alive. If it were that easy, the eBay seller would not have let it go for $20. I got a bridge to sell you.