I lamented that a dual monitor configuration would waste power and make noise. A new product solves my problem. Sewell Direct now sells a USB-to-DVI adapter that does a really decent job. When most add-on video cards hook up to expansion slots, this one hooks up to a USB port. I unplugged the monitor from my VGA port and instead connected it via the USB-to-DVI adapter.

There have been products like this one before. They are usually very expensive and very slow. Not this one. I have been using the Sewell product for about two weeks now, and it performs totally adequately. And it costs only $150 for the 1600x1200 resolution version. (The 1280x1024 resolution version sells for $120.)

Be warned: If you are a gamer, this card probably isn't for you. For most things, performance is as good as a directly attached monitor, until you start pushing the envelop, such as by playing games. I don't care myself because I spend my time surfing the internet and programming, and I never play games.

I do watch videos, and this card runs slightly slow at full screen. That's not a problem though: I'll have one monitor directly connected, and a second via this device.

The big problem: I have to get my second monitor back from my wife. I bought two matching monitors, planning to someday figure out how to connect them both. In the mean time, she used the second and fell in love with it. I am sure I can solve this problem.