Miscellaneous laptop discussions forum: Laptop display on desktop- not the usual question!

Maybe if I explain the context and reasons why i want to do this.....

I work in CAD-based CNC programming. Being used to the monitors at work (24"), laptop screens are a bit on the small side for me to work on. So this is the reason for not just using a laptop as-is.

The second reason is I currently have about three different offices, and for various reasons certain programs are only on certain desktops in particular offices, which usually involves me running back on forth to gather information, therefore a portable device running my main software would allow me to park up next to whichever PC i needed to be at the time. In addition it would allow me to work from home.

Thirdly- most of our desktops are on double monitors. It would be extremely convenient therefore to walk into an office, and work on both desktop (on monitor one) and laptop (on monitor two) simultaneaously.

So the idea in esscence is brilliant- rip the faulty screen off my laptop and use it as a protable desktop. So the only downside is how to connect it to the monitor, as getting round the back of the desktops and pulling cables out everytime i want to use it (only to then have to plug them back in again afterwards) just is't an option.

I was hoping there might be some magical piece of software that ran on the desktop, that would let you run the video signal out via USB (or VGA to USB) making connection to the desktop PC quick and easy, and would just open up as a window on the desktop monitor. I make it sound so simple! If this doesn't already exist, someone should definitely invent it.......

.....I know i could just rig up all the second montiors through KVM switches and leave a trailing VGA cable from each one to plug into as i need, but i was hoping for a slightly neater solution, and one that won't cost me £100 in KVM switches and cables.....