running 2 additional screens from laptop

dball

Im looking for a way to extend my desktop onto 2 monitors as well as having the laptop screen on.

I've only one HDMI slot on the laptop so is it possible to run a usb to hdmi ? Can anyone advise here?
I have a HDMI splitter - this is not what i need as this will only let me choose one screen or the other - i want to have both screens running at the same time and my laptop screen.

Would anyone know what this cable or lead is called?

many thanks

gossamerfabric

I have two monitors running off usb-c ports from my Lenovo T15 but when the laptop lid is open the screen resolutions are not occupying full area on monitors. I did not attempt to address this as I do not wish to use the laptop screen when connected to monitors. I also power my laptop off my monitors via usb and don't use the power block.

Capt'n Midnight

Please post your laptop make and model because it depends.

Newer laptops with DisplayLink will allow you up to 3 external monitors on one USB-C docking station. Or one monitor on a USB adaptor.

Older laptops from USB 2.0 up can have up to two monitors on an external docking station that has it's own graphics chip and drivers.

Virtual desktop to Wireless is another option but only suitable for slow moving images.

Capt'n Midnight

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122909212#Comment_122909212

YMMV depending on what your graphics card can support.

Windows Key + P , and choose Extend if you want three separate screens with their own individual resolutions.

If your docking monitor has DisplayPort Out you might be able to daisy chain the monitors and only need one USB-C connection.

smuggler.ie

"so is it possible to run a usb to hdmi ? Can anyone advise here?" - yeah, its called docking station

depending on your laptop model a docking station is your best bet which should be just one cable from the docking station to your USBC port. Monitors will be plugged in your docking station and will have extra USB ports for web cam, headset, wireless keyboard and mouse.

benefit of docking station it’s just one usbc cable to your laptop instead of having to unplug everything.

One eyed Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058382891/running-2-additional-screens-from-laptop

Would anyone know what this cable or lead is called?

As Capt’n Midnight says - it’ll depend on the make and model of the laptop. The USB-C port on some laptops allows for a dongle, or a hub to be able to connect and provide output to two external monitors separately (as in a different image on each screen). It’d be something like this one which I have myself:

https://amzn.eu/d/d8BzyzA

It allows for display out from the USB-C port to three external HDMI ports on the hub, and has power pass-through to power the laptop via the same hub - needs more than the standard 65W charger standard, so you’ll probably need to pick up one of these 100W chargers while you’re at it:

https://amzn.eu/d/irfkZ44

Basically it allows you to output to three external monitors at 1080P which is enough for my needs, it doesn’t do 4K if that’s the kind of resolution you need, but hopefully you get an idea of what to look for - start with finding out can the USB-C port on your laptop do Display Out:

Note: For a USB-C port to support display output, it needs DisplayPort(DP) Alt Mode compatibility, a full-featured USB-C cable (not just for charging), and an updated operating system with compatible drivers. Additionally, the external display must support DisplayPort.

https://www.anker.com/blogs/hubs-and-docks/can-a-usb-c-port-be-used-for-display

If you’re just connecting an HDMI splitter to the HDMI port on the laptop, that’s exactly all it’ll do - you’ll get the same image on all screens, probably not what you want.

Spocker

If your laptop only has USB A slots, I've used one of these before which worked: https://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/390820889199

dball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122909255#Comment_122909255

DELL - P102F : Inspiron 5501
There are 2 usb ports and only 1 hdmi port

One eyed Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122912311#Comment_122912311

Should be good to go:

Inspiron 15 5501 Setup and Specifications | Dell Ireland

dball

Thanks one-eyed jack.
Should i be looking to get an adapter to allow a HDMI cable
Or would a cable with a HDMI and a USB at each end work - any suggestions?

granturismo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122912831#Comment_122912831

Dell docking station - their website states two dell docking stations are compatible with an Inspiron 5501.

UD22 docking station has 3 video outputs - 1 x HDMI and 2 x display port

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/dell-universal-dock-ud22/apd/210-beyv/docks-and-stands

https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/accessories

One eyed Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122912953#Comment_122912953

The two external monitors are going to need an HDMI cable each, so just a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable would only work for one external monitor. Something like this would do the two monitors if all you want is to hook up the two monitors and have the laptop screen on at the same time:

https://amzn.eu/d/a5gxwue

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122912987#Comment_122912987

Bit spicy on price if all the OP is looking for is to hook up two external monitors. It’s good if the OP was looking for a workstation setup that they didn’t have to be fiddling around with a load of peripherals though.

EDIT: dball I only just copped what you were asking. I just tried it and you CAN use the HDMI port on the laptop for one monitor, and the USB-C port with an adapter for the other monitor, and have all three screens show separate images. Something like this would do the job:

https://amzn.eu/d/96Eox2s

Your laptop has a separate power port so you could still use that to power the laptop, wouldn’t need a separate charger.

Flinty997

You can buy those docking hubs/stations 2nd had on adverts for not much money.

dball

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122913129#Comment_122913129

Thanks for going into all that detail one eyed Jack - much apperciated

Thanks to all who commented -

There's one for 25 quid

https://www.adverts.ie/other-peripherals/dell-wd19-docking-station-with-130w-power-supply-reg-model-k20a/35645170

Buddy Bubs

Just going to piggy back this if people don't mind.....I've a HP pavilion laptop with

2 x USB ports

1 x USB-C port

1 x HDMI port

Can monitor be used as a separate display from laptop for a 2 screen setup? If it becomes a pain using 2 different sized screens I might look at getting 2 external monitors but not for now.

Ill also be adding a mouse and keyboard which should be no problem with the 2 x USB and 1 monitor with the HDMI but can moniot act as a 2nd screen?

Happy enough to buy a device if it's needed

DopeTech

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122985619#Comment_122985619

yes you can connect a monitor or two using the hdmi port and/or the usb-c port

Just get something like this. Its just one USB-C cable to your laptop then for everything instead of having to unplug mouse/keyboard, headset, HDMI cable etc.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lemorele-Docking-Station-Monitor-Multiport-Black-10-1/dp/B0C5ZY5WMV/ref%3Dsr_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=113457266803&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.STHfg3yjtHVny7sKd7rnGR9_VuWUHEqMMfoMwMf92j2STz4PRr_N948XLHLqSxp5qSQV30UrZnidW2JP61JgYUffCYuSLjlwjs4qJOhjVxpCAcTjR_frmhi_wfNgRsbuccgCEdgzcWA333Aw62MIpCb2a8lHVNvigze6aqniPNm1RGKetXmAQmaz5sYtkBQffdvCnBj4PqA74-BrJVcgIzMuhVBKYYT1iIXDgA7M5kM.KWa1lb6Yoc7byN7zh5KYfWn7LGryAXfeUkkk-o2fjDs&dib_tag=se&hvadid=578375783019&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007850&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16128445147099437067&hvtargid=kwd-323107505700&hydadcr=7303_2233246&keywords=hp+pavilion+laptop+docking+station&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1734981940&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1