connect my macbook pro to 2 external monitors

You can connect one to the mini-Displayport or Thunderbolt port (whichever your machine has), and another to a USB port using an adapter like this:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/VIDU2DVIA/

Be aware that the USB-connected display will be considerably less responsive than the other, because USB is slow.

I have done this without fancy adapters but did have buy first an apple monitor that came with thunderbolt and then i bouhgt a hard disk external. This hdd also has thunderbolt and i connect the second external screen to the HD using thunerbolt lead to HDMI as my second screen is an ACER screen and does not have thunderbolt.

So i end up with 3 screens as the macbk pro sceen is still there if you need all 3 workng and this gives or provides a lot of screen real estate.

Goonhilly: You may have avoided buying "fancy adapters," but your Thunderbolt display, Thunderbolt cables and Thunderbolt hard drive are all extremely pricey. Many people don't have an extra thousand dollars lying around and would like a less expensive option.

Interesting. Which HD did you use?

I use the La Cie and have 2 monitors running off this

O.k., and how did you connect them? I am assuming this daisy chained connection setup:

Laptop thunderbolt -> Monitor 1 -> Lacie HD -> Monitor 2

Correct?

Yes the power cable from the monitor 1( apple thdb) goes into the laptop and the monitor 1 (apple) to the Lacie and then a short HDMI /Thuderbolt to the Monitor 2 and the lacie and it powered up ok .

I had tried earlier to daisy to Monitor 2 (acer) off the Monitor 1 apple but that did not work and was surprised when it worked off the Lacie.

The only issue is that I try and switch off Monitor 2 first and properly eject the lacie before powereing off the laptop if that makes sense but there is an apple script to do this which I am going to try

I should add that the powercable to the laptop has the double lead set up witht a thunderbolt cable connection