[SOLVED] One HDMI port on the laptop but two external monitors

[tezarin]

Hi all,

I just purchased a Dell Inspiron laptop from Costco: https://www.costco.com/dell-inspiro...r---1080p---windows-11.product.100809537.html
The new laptop has one HDMI connection and like 3 USB ports only. I plugged in my wireless mouse, keyboard and a CAC reader which took up all the available USB ports. I have two ViewSonic VX2452MH monitors which I would like to connect to my laptop (would like each to be able to display a different thing not mirror only). But I was able to plug in one of the monitors only due to the fact that the monitor has only one HDMI connection.

I tried a HDMI switch but I guess these are designed to be used with one device at a time! it wouldn't let both monitors to be on at the same time: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VX1PKQ7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Can someone please recommend a solution so I can have both monitors connected?

Thank you in advance

 

[kanewolf]

Hi all,

I just purchased a Dell Inspiron laptop from Costco: https://www.costco.com/dell-inspiron-15.6"-laptop---11th-generation-intel-core-i5-1135g7-processor---1080p---windows-11.product.100809537.html
The new laptop has one HDMI connection and like 3 USB ports only. I plugged in my wireless mouse, keyboard and a CAC reader which took up all the available USB ports. I have two ViewSonic VX2452MH monitors which I would like to connect to my laptop (would like each to be able to display a different thing not mirror only). But I was able to plug in one of the monitors only due to the fact that the monitor has only one HDMI connection.

I tried a HDMI switch but I guess these are designed to be used with one device at a time! it wouldn't let both monitors to be on at the same time: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VX1PKQ7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Can someone please recommend a solution so I can have both monitors connected?

Thank you in advance

There is no easy way to create two independent displays from a single HDMI output.
I don't see a docking station from Dell that would provide any additional video ports.
Your laptop doesn't seem to support video via the USB ports.
You can buy a low-end graphics device that plugs into your USB and could provide an additional HDMI port.

 

[tezarin]

There is no easy way to create two independent displays from a single HDMI output.
I don't see a docking station from Dell that would provide any additional video ports.
Your laptop doesn't seem to support video via the USB ports.
You can buy a low-end graphics device that plugs into your USB and could provide an additional HDMI port.

So I was thinking I should get these two items and work with the USB connections:

1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LCDYMVX/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AG4USY1XZTSRB&psc=1
2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083RQMC7S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A24H0O8PYGZ99S&psc=1

Or do you think this one works?
https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Dis...ectronics&sprefix=hdmi+splitter,aps,59&sr=1-6

What do you think?

 

[kanewolf]

So I was thinking I should get these two items and work with the USB connections:

1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LCDYMVX/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AG4USY1XZTSRB&psc=1
2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083RQMC7S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A24H0O8PYGZ99S&psc=1

Or do you think this one works?
https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Distributor-Support-Compatible-Projector/dp/B081GL1CMV/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3TTJV7O7ZSIP4&keywords=hdmi+splitter&qid=1642690708&refinements=p_85:2470955011,p_72:1248879011&rnid=1248877011&rps=1&s=electronics&sprefix=hdmi+splitter,aps,59&sr=1-6

What do you think?

That should work. I would put the mouse, keyboard and CAC reader on the hub and plug the video directly into the laptop.
A slightly different approach would be to get a keyboard with a built-in CAC reader -- https://www.amazon.com/HP-Z9H48AT-ABA-Business-Keyboard/dp/B06XY2558L/
Or a keyboard with a USB port to plug in your mouse or CAC -- https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Backlit-Mechanical-Keyboard-Passthrough/dp/B06XR5MWGM/
That cleans up your desktop, but the USB hub is a valid implementation.

 

[tezarin]

That should work. I would put the mouse, keyboard and CAC reader on the hub and plug the video directly into the laptop.
A slightly different approach would be to get a keyboard with a built-in CAC reader -- https://www.amazon.com/HP-Z9H48AT-ABA-Business-Keyboard/dp/B06XY2558L/
Or a keyboard with a USB port to plug in your mouse or CAC -- https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Backlit-Mechanical-Keyboard-Passthrough/dp/B06XR5MWGM/
That cleans up your desktop, but the USB hub is a valid implementation.

Thank you for helpful reply and giving me recommendation for the keyboard, that's certainly a great option. If we decide to go with the USB hub and a HDMI to USB, which one of these two HDMI to USB options do you recommend?

1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...are-us-3743254221502494700-20&geniuslink=true

2. https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Dis...are-us-8560732016101743000-20&geniuslink=true

Thanks so much