- Oct 8, 2024
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I just bought two external monitors during a Black Friday sale and I don’t understand how best to connect them to my 5-year-old laptop.
I use my computer for college classes and office work, no gaming. I’m in my 50s so text clarity is most important and I’m very ADHD with many files/screens open at once so I’m excited to finally get more screen real estate.
The more I read, the more confused I am. Should I use USB-C HDMI or DisplayPort cords? Thunderbolt 3 or 4 hub? Will my laptop even support 2x 4K 60Hz monitors (I can return them if it’s not going to work)? How do I allocate my 3x USB-C ports to charging, two monitors and still have the ability to connect an external keyboard?
Ideally, I’d like a docking station-type setup where I can grab my laptop to go to class with a minimum of disconnect and reconnections to make. I’ve been using a USB-C hub similar to this one https://www.amazon.com/USB-Hub-Multiport-Adapter-Compatible/dp/B09CYJGVGR for a couple of years to connect USB-A peripherals, mostly an external keyboard, headset, and sometimes my phone. Will that hub support a 4K external monitor through the HDMI?
Many thanks in advance for any advice. The laptop and monitor specs that seemed relevant are below.
Laptop: Dell XPS 13 9380 (8th Gen Core, Intel UHD Graphics 620, USB-C 45W Charger)
Ports:
USB-C Thunderbolt 3 with Power Delivery x2
Supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, DisplayPort 1.2, Thunderbolt 3
Enables you to connect to an external display using a display adapter
Provides data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and up to 40 Gbps for Thunderbolt 3
Supports Power Delivery that enables two-way power supply between devices
Provides up to 5 V/3 A power output that enables faster charging
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 with Power Delivery/ DisplayPort 1.2
Connect peripherals such as external storage devices, printers, and external displays
Supports Power Delivery that enables two-way power supply between devices
Provides up to 7.5 W power output that enables faster charging
Monitors x2: UPERFECT's first 18 inch 4K portable monitor, UColor A17 4K 15.6
Ports:
HDMI 2.0 x2
DisplayPort 1.2
I use my computer for college classes and office work, no gaming. I’m in my 50s so text clarity is most important and I’m very ADHD with many files/screens open at once so I’m excited to finally get more screen real estate.
The more I read, the more confused I am. Should I use USB-C HDMI or DisplayPort cords? Thunderbolt 3 or 4 hub? Will my laptop even support 2x 4K 60Hz monitors (I can return them if it’s not going to work)? How do I allocate my 3x USB-C ports to charging, two monitors and still have the ability to connect an external keyboard?
Ideally, I’d like a docking station-type setup where I can grab my laptop to go to class with a minimum of disconnect and reconnections to make. I’ve been using a USB-C hub similar to this one https://www.amazon.com/USB-Hub-Multiport-Adapter-Compatible/dp/B09CYJGVGR for a couple of years to connect USB-A peripherals, mostly an external keyboard, headset, and sometimes my phone. Will that hub support a 4K external monitor through the HDMI?
Many thanks in advance for any advice. The laptop and monitor specs that seemed relevant are below.
Laptop: Dell XPS 13 9380 (8th Gen Core, Intel UHD Graphics 620, USB-C 45W Charger)
Ports:
USB-C Thunderbolt 3 with Power Delivery x2
Supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, DisplayPort 1.2, Thunderbolt 3
Enables you to connect to an external display using a display adapter
Provides data transfer rates up to 10 Gbps for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and up to 40 Gbps for Thunderbolt 3
Supports Power Delivery that enables two-way power supply between devices
Provides up to 5 V/3 A power output that enables faster charging
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 with Power Delivery/ DisplayPort 1.2
Connect peripherals such as external storage devices, printers, and external displays
Supports Power Delivery that enables two-way power supply between devices
Provides up to 7.5 W power output that enables faster charging
Monitors x2: UPERFECT's first 18 inch 4K portable monitor, UColor A17 4K 15.6
Ports:
HDMI 2.0 x2
DisplayPort 1.2
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