yes you can have two monitors side by side, if you are using windows is a setting in the properties.
on your desk top right click and the bottom option is properties, click on that.
do to the tab that says display and in the bisplay drop bown choose dual monitor display the display preview box will show two boxes 1 and 2 if you wanna see them youll have to click idenify. select the display quality and screen resoulution then click the box that says "extend my desktop to this monitor"
it should work as long as you already have the monitor already connected.
now i havent found a way to make one widow go across two screens but that would allow you to see two different display windows side by side wich is really usefull for drafting off specs, or like having open menues for games while playing.