Options for a second monitor with my MBA

[questionwonder]

I just bought a Samsung 23" monitor that supports 1920x1080 and uses a dvi to vga cable I has plugged into my only thunderbolt/dvi output. I would ilke to get a second monitor that has a higher resolution. What are my options here for using a second monitor? I know I can daisy chain the Thunderbolt display but a cheaper option would be nice. Is that possible? How would I plug them in being that I already have used the 1 output I have? I don't think I want to use USB because it is slow. I'm only developing so no need for speed but I don't want any lag when moving the mouse, etc.
My MBA is the latest gen. What are people out there doing for a two monitor output?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I just bought a Samsung 23" monitor that supports 1920x1080 and uses a dvi to vga cable I has plugged into my only thunderbolt/dvi output. I would ilke to get a second monitor that has a higher resolution. What are my options here for using a second monitor? I know I can daisy chain the Thunderbolt display but a cheaper option would be nice. Is that possible? How would I plug them in being that I already have used the 1 output I have? I don't think I want to use USB because it is slow. I'm only developing so no need for speed but I don't want any lag when moving the mouse, etc.
My MBA is the latest gen. What are people out there doing for a two monitor output?

Your only option is a Thunderbolt Display or USB. There's no way to connect a 2nd display other than a TBD to the Thunderbolt port, and USB is the only other option.

 

[questionwonder]

What are the good Thunderbolt displays

Are there any cheap thunderbolt displays out there besides the Apple version?

 

[Boyd01]

Do you want two external screens plus the built-in? If so, I think you would need two thunderbolt monitors. You cannot plug a regular screen into the thunderbolt monitor.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5219?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US#20

Can I connect a Mini DisplayPort display to my Apple Thunderbolt Display for computers that support using more than one display?

Mini DisplayPort displays will not function if connected to the Thunderbolt port of an Apple Thunderbolt Display. Displays connected via Mini DisplayPort video adapter or cable to the Thunderbolt port of an Apple Thunderbolt Display will not work.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Do you want two external screens plus the built-in? If so, I think you would need two thunderbolt monitors. You cannot plug a regular screen into the thunderbolt monitor.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5219?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US#20

Not exactly true. You can't plug an adapter directly into a TBD - but if there is an intermediate Thunderbolt device between the TBD and the adapter (e.g. a Thunderbolt disk), it will work.

----------

Are there any cheap thunderbolt displays out there besides the Apple version?

No. The only other Thunderbolt display that comes to mind besides Apple's is the LG 34UM95, which looks like a nice product but it's also $1000 and is not shipping yet in any significant quantity.

 

[Boyd01]

Not exactly true. You can't plug an adapter directly into a TBD - but if there is an intermediate Thunderbolt device between the TBD and the adapter (e.g. a Thunderbolt disk), it will work.

Really? That's interesting, have never heard of this before, thanks.