>>From the spec sheet it doesn't look like the machine has Thunderbolt.
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>No, it does not.
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>>It looks like you can use USB:
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>>1. Plug a powered USB3 hub (you don't want an unpowered hub) into one of your USB3 ports e.g. http://www.amazon.ca/Plugable-USB3-HUB7-81X-Seven-Port-Four-Amp-Adapter/dp/B008ZGKWQI/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_text_y
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>That I already have.
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>>2. Buy two of these to create 2 HDMI or DVI outputs for 2 external monitors: http://www.amazon.ca/Plugable-Multiple-2048x1152-1920x1200-DisplayLink/dp/B007L6NYAO
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>>3. Plug the 3rd external monitor into your HDMI port
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>>With that setup you will still have 5 free USB3 ports on the powered hub so you'll actually gain, rather than lose, ports.
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>>I haven't tried this, if you go this route I'd be interested to hear your experiences.
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>When going from USB to HDMI, are we loosing quality?
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>Presently, I have a StarTech.com USB 4 ports powered. I have two ports left. So, assuming that setup, I can have the actual HDMI from the laptop to remain as is to the monitor and use the additional two USB ports to those devices and then to the monitors. I am still not sure if this will be entire compliant with an extended desktop display on the three monitors.

By far the biggest factor with the hub is whether it is USB 3.0 (or 3.1). If it isn't I'd highly recommend getting a 3.0 unit, it would have 10x the bandwidth. Also as I mentioned in the other e-mail to Craig, 3.0 is dual-bus so if you have one or more non-3.0 devices already plugged into the hub, other 3.0 devices can still run at full speed - which will be important for video.

I suspect the USB adapters will appear to Windows to be additional display adapters, albeit ones attached via USB rather than, say, PCIe. In that case it's the same as having multiple conventional display adapters. Windows should have no problems using them in extended mode. You should get full capabilities such as setting 1, 2 and 3, orientation of individual monitors (landscape vs portrait), monitor arrangement (horizontal, stacked vertically etc.)