How To Setup Dual Monitors For A Laptop

[NewEra4004]

Hi there.  I'm hoping someone can help me out with my laptop to monitor setup.

 

I just purchased 2 27" 4k IPS monitors.

 

I would like to connect it to my laptop.  The laptop only has one HDMI port though.

 

I read there is a HDMI splitter, but I am not trying to mirror the screens, but rather be able to use each monitor for different purposes like browsing on one monitor and reading or other content on the second monitor.

 

Is this possible?  What do I need to purchase if so?

 

Thank you!

 

 

[goatedpenguin]

u can only daisychain monitors with display port or thunderbolt there are third party option but they may or may not work u can use a Belkin dock that may be more credible

[TylerD321]

What laptop do you have? I've had laptops in the past with both usb c and hdmi connections. If this is the case you could likely run one with a usb-c to hdmi cable and the other with standard cable. However, your best bet is probably some sort of docking station. For the best possible recommendation it is essential we know what laptop (specifically the IO really) you have.

 

EDIT: It seems like your monitors you have are both HDMI? I just wanted to make sure this was the case.

Edited November 13, 2022 by TylerD321
Monitor Ports

[NewEra4004]

Hi.  Wow quick responses!  I like it.  Thanks.

 

My laptop is a Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ITL6.  By IO do you mean operating system?  It will be Windows 10 or 11.

[TylerD321]

9 minutes ago, NewEra4004 said:

Hi.  Wow quick responses!  I like it.  Thanks.

 

My laptop is a Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ITL6.  By IO do you mean operating system?  It will be Windows 10 or 11.

I/O means input/output. It is essentially the ports you have on your machine.

 

EDIT: Here is the specs of the laptop showing IO. https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/IdeaPad/IdeaPad_3_15ITL6/IdeaPad_3_15ITL6_Spec.pdf

 

[NewEra4004]

Oic.  Thanks.  I looked at the manual and it appears the laptop has a USB 2.0 port, USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, and a HDMI 1.4b port and USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (data transfer only)

 

Each monitor has 2x HDMI and one Display port 1.4 port.

 

I'm new to docking stations.  Are there advantages to approach this with purchasing one of these?

 

[NewEra4004]

I'm looking at this device:

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/best-buy-essentials-usb-c-to-4k-uhd-hdmi-adapter-be-pa3chd-c/15493546

 

or

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/best-buy-essentials-1-8m-6-ft-usb-c-to-4k-uhd-hdmi-cable-be-pc3chd6-c/15493547

 

Will either be suitable?

 

Thanks.

[Zagna]

48 minutes ago, NewEra4004 said:

I'm looking at this device:

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/best-buy-essentials-usb-c-to-4k-uhd-hdmi-adapter-be-pa3chd-c/15493546

 

or

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/best-buy-essentials-1-8m-6-ft-usb-c-to-4k-uhd-hdmi-cable-be-pc3chd6-c/15493547

 

Will either be suitable?

 

Thanks.

Neither of those will work. Both require an USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

You can run one monitor from the laptops HDMI port at 4k 30hz and for the second screen, you need a DisplayLink adapter like this

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/plugable-usb-3-0-to-displayport-4k-uhd-ultra-high-definition-video-graphics-adapter-for-multiple-monitors-up-to-3840x2160-s/10645115

[BiotechBen]

45 minutes ago, Zagna said:

Neither of those will work. Both require an USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

You can run one monitor from the laptops HDMI port at 4k 30hz and for the second screen, you need a DisplayLink adapter like this

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/plugable-usb-3-0-to-displayport-4k-uhd-ultra-high-definition-video-graphics-adapter-for-multiple-monitors-up-to-3840x2160-s/10645115

That also is dependent on the implementation of display link. Tried with an older HP (3700U system) and while the drivers were there, it was not implemented and therefore not available.

[NewEra4004]

11 hours ago, Zagna said:

Neither of those will work. Both require an USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

You can run one monitor from the laptops HDMI port at 4k 30hz and for the second screen, you need a DisplayLink adapter like this

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/plugable-usb-3-0-to-displayport-4k-uhd-ultra-high-definition-video-graphics-adapter-for-multiple-monitors-up-to-3840x2160-s/10645115

Hey Zagna

 

Thanks for the link.  But that item is expensive lol, I could buy another monitor for that price.  I guess it's not just a simple cable adapter solution.  I was hoping for a cheaper alternative.

[NewEra4004]

How about something like this:

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/insignia-1-8m-6ft-usb-c-to-4k-displayport-cable-ns-pckcd6-c-only-at-best-buy-only-at-best-buy/14926410

 

or 

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/insignia-usb-c-to-4k-displayport-adapter-ns-pcacd-c-only-at-best-buy/14927025

 

Both items claims they can extend or mirror display.

[Zagna]

1 hour ago, NewEra4004 said:

How about something like this:

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/insignia-1-8m-6ft-usb-c-to-4k-displayport-cable-ns-pckcd6-c-only-at-best-buy-only-at-best-buy/14926410

 

or 

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/insignia-usb-c-to-4k-displayport-adapter-ns-pcacd-c-only-at-best-buy/14927025

 

Both items claims they can extend or mirror display.

Both of those still require USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode which your laptop lacks.

[NewEra4004]

Thank you for the responses.  Looks like it's time to resurrect my old desktop.