Devices to hook up two monitors to laptop?

Stheno · 29-03-2020 12:10PM #1

Hi
Wondering if anyone could recommend a device that would allow me to connect two monitors to a laptop?

Something like a non brand specific docking station that would connect to the laptop and then the monitors would plug into?

Thanks

gmisk · 29-03-2020 12:14PM

Stheno wrote: »

Hi
Wondering if anyone could recommend a device that would allow me to connect two monitors to a laptop?

Something like a non brand specific docking station that would connect to the laptop and then the monitors would plug into?

Thanks

Depending on your laptop you might not need another piece of equipment.
Just connect one via HDMI and the other via VGA
Basic overview
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/needed-run-two-monitors-off-one-computer-68127.html

Dravokivich · 29-03-2020 12:16PM

Most laptops tend to have a specific docking point, that'll only work with docking stations designed for them.

What laptop do you have first?

drake70 · 29-03-2020 12:20PM

Old article, but some of the information might be of use

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/07/how-can-i-add-two-external-monitors-to-my-laptop

Stheno · 29-03-2020 12:22PM

Dravokivich wrote: »

Most laptops tend to have a specific docking point, that'll only work with docking stations designed for them.

What laptop do you have first?

There are two, a Dell and an Acer which is why I was looking for a generic device

Worst case I can buy two docking stations but if I can find something else that would be my preference

antix80 · 29-03-2020 12:24PM

Dravokivich wrote: »

Most laptops tend to have a specific docking point, that'll only work with docking stations designed for them.

Nah.. Newer laptops just use USB docking stations.
And older ones may have HD and vga.
Otherwise, a docking station with vga and dvi inputs should do it iirc

Stheno · 29-03-2020 12:29PM

Mr.S wrote: »

If HDMI, something like this works fine and is cheap. I use it at home:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Splitter-Amplifier-displayed-PS4%EF%BC%8CComputer-projector-2-screens-at-same-time-HDMI-4k/dp/B07NW3GB34/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Display+Splitter+Box&qid=1585480458&sr=8-4

Or to step it up, a docking station like this (if you have USB-C) would give you loads of extra ports:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Docking-Station-Triple-Display-Gigablit-Ethernet/dp/B081GSRDS5/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=2x+hdmi+dock&qid=1585480741&s=computers&sr=1-12

Both have usbc, so your second option is perfect thanks!

Will search for one that ships to Irrland

tedpan · 29-03-2020 12:31PM

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dispaly-Adapter-Windows-Adaptor-Output-Grey/dp/B07JFXGV4W

This will also work if you have a hmdi and vga monitor..

29-03-2020 12:47PM

not every laptop has video out through usb-c

it needs to support alt mode video output

would be advisable to see if you can return any dongles purchased just in case

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpVeifCd4Sk

Stheno · 29-03-2020 12:50PM

glasso wrote: »

not every laptop has video out through usb-c

it needs to support alt mode video output

would be advisable to see if you can return any dongles purchased just in case

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpVeifCd4Sk

The Dell does I'll check the Acer

BailMeOut · 29-03-2020 12:50PM

As long as your laptops have USBC then any standard docking station will work. Example...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Universal-Laptop-Docking-Station/dp/B073HG8M86

Dravokivich · 29-03-2020 12:51PM

antix80 wrote: »

Nah.. Newer laptops just use USB docking stations.
And older ones may have HD and vga.
Otherwise, a docking station with vga and dvi inputs should do it iirc

I wouldnt take it for granted to be honest. I've a current HP and it's got a propriety docking point. And will only accept power over USB-C from specific devices.

sundodger5 · 29-03-2020 12:53PM

What i did last week was attach a monitor and then use the laptops own screen as well. Extend the desktop.
Effectively two monitors.
Might not be what you want but thought i would suggest it just in case.

29-03-2020 12:54PM

This is what I got for working from home and it's working great. I use it with my work laptop which is a Lenovo and I used it with my personal laptop which is a Dell.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plugable-Universal-Docking-Station-Ethernet-Black/dp/B00GQ3685Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=docking+station&qid=1585482822&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOTNVMEpXTUJROExHJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjU1OTIxMVpSNUtQN0VNS0ZKSSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDI5NzcyMjJXUFQ0RDZUUTFEWCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Stheno · 29-03-2020 01:00PM

sundodger5 wrote: »

What i did last week was attach a monitor and then use the laptops own screen as well. Extend the desktop.
Effectively two monitors.
Might not be what you want but thought i would suggest it just in case.

I have that already but am used to three screens

in the office

ebayissues · 13-04-2020 11:42AM

Hey guys,

I have an oldish toshiba satelite C50-A-1DV - laptop connected to a vga hp screen using the VGA connector.

I would like to connect another pc screen which has a VGA output.

Is the best route using a VGA splitter?

What I'd like to do is to be able to use both monitor and laption screens at once, either thriugh extending the primary screen or any other modes.

tedpan · 13-04-2020 02:03PM

ebayissues wrote:

I would like to connect another pc screen which has a VGA output.

The screen has a vga input, as the laptop is old, you'll need a USB to VGA adapter (display Link compatible) as per the recommendations earlier in the thread.

ebayissues wrote:

Is the best route using a VGA splitter?

No, that will only duplicate the laptop output, so you'll have the same thing on both external monitors.

DopeTech · 13-04-2020 02:57PM

BailMeOut wrote: »

As long as your laptops have USBC then any standard docking station will work. Example...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Universal-Laptop-Docking-Station/dp/B073HG8M86

That's not true, as pointed out above not all usb c ports have the same capabilities.

ebayissues · 13-04-2020 03:04PM

tedpan wrote: »

The screen has a vga input, as the laptop is old, you'll need a USB to VGA adapter (display Link compatible) as per the recommendations earlier in the thread.

No, that will only duplicate the laptop output, so you'll have the same thing on both external monitors.

I actually have a USB/VGA to hdmi converter and its not working on the laptop.

I'll try a USB to VGA adapter, hopefully this sorts me out.

tedpan · 13-04-2020 03:30PM

ebayissues wrote:

I actually have a USB/VGA to hdmi converter and its not working on the laptop.

Could be a driver issue or maybe the laptop requires external graphics?

ebayissues wrote:

I'll try a USB to VGA adapter, hopefully this sorts me out.

Yeah, make sure it has an inbuilt graphics chip(display Link compatible). Most USB docking stations will have this feature, best to read the reviews and make sure the specs mention 'display Link'

tedpan · 13-04-2020 03:32PM

DopeTech wrote:

That's not true, as pointed out above not all usb c ports have the same capabilities.

The docking station will work with all USB C ports. It has a dedicated graphics chip so does not require USB video out.

BailMeOut · 13-04-2020 07:32PM

Get yourself a USB-C docking station that supports two monitors. Just be careful you have the correct cables to support the connections as the options will be Display port, HDMI and DVI and many will have a mix/match of each.

Three very cheap options below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Universal-Laptop-Docking-Station/dp/B073HG8M86/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1A6TB9QLOQVAD&dchild=1&keywords=docking+station&qid=1586802485&sprefix=docking+sta%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-5

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ClimaxDigital-CUD390-Universal-2048x1152-Microphone/dp/B00MDGAW8O/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=docking+station+dual&qid=1586802648&sr=8-16

https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-comThunderbolt-Dock-Windows-DisplayPort-Docking/dp/B07BJJX47G/ref=sr_1_32?dchild=1&keywords=docking+station+dual&qid=1586802690&sr=8-32

Eric Cartman · 13-04-2020 07:34PM

so im going to assume you want to use 2 monitors side by side as an extension, not mirrored . so heres your options

laptop has 1 video out : a Matrox dualhead2go box will stretch the image across 2 displays
laptop has 2 video out : get a monitor connected to each video output and it should work
laptop has a docking connector or usb-c : get a dock with multiple video outs.

Devices to hook up two monitors to laptop?

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