Question Portable Monitors / USB

[Brain Freeze]

I have a laptop (Clevo / Eluktronics N970TF) dual booting both Windows 10 and Ubuntu 20.04. I've decided I need another screen for multi tasking preferably in both OS's and have been browsing over the portable monitors and to be honest I am lost.

I have:
• 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port (Type A)
• 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 port (Type C)
• 1 x USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen 1) port (Type A)
• 1 x USB 2.0 port

I was told that my USB C doesn't have data as a monitor powered but wouldn't display anything. Since it is a laptop I want to keep things portable still so a simple one cord would be great, is there another way to one cord a portable monitor for both OS's using one of the other type A ports? I do know 2.0 is not an option, not enough power.

My second question is are all portable monitors the same, do they all connect in the same fashion. Are there any someone would recommend in my situation?

Any help would be humbly appreciated.

 

[rgd1101]

why not the hdmi or dp?
1 HDMI 2.0 output port (with HDCP), 2 Mini DisplayPorts

 

[Brain Freeze]

Well I know what HDMI is but have no clue what DP is. It would be nice if people would assume that I don't know anything and be more forth coming. A link of an example would be nice. All aside, thanks for your response in any regards.

 

[rgd1101]

dp is displayport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_DisplayPort

and about the 2nd question. no, some usb-c portable monitor need special usb-c port on the laptop to work.

 

[Brain Freeze]

I do have 2 mini display ports along with HDMI, so what gadget or wire do I need to which monitor. Examples would be great about now. Pictures even better.

Only problem is most monitors I've seen only take usb c

 

[rgd1101]

https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vg1655.html#specs

on the left, can filter on hdmi
https://www.amazon.com/displayport-portable-monitor-Electronics/s?k=displayport+portable+monitor

 

[Brain Freeze]

I do have 2 mini display ports along with HDMI, so what gadget or wire do I need to which monitor. Examples would be great about now. Pictures even better.

https://www.viewsonic.com/us/vg1655.html#specs

on the left, can filter on hdmi
https://www.amazon.com/displayport-portable-monitor-Electronics/s?k=displayport+portable+monitor

My only other question is with the mini, will it require me to hug a wall outlet for an external power source or will my laptop power it through that port? HDMI does require external power if memory serves me right. Before I forget, thanks so much for your input, this whole usb c thing has me flustered beyond belief. There's way to many usb's in my opinion.

 

[hotaru.hino]

If you're fortunate, you can find some monitors that still take USB-A. However, they're solely for providing another screen and I'm not sure if they're suitable to doing anything that requires the GPU (i.e., they do software rendering) One such monitor that's still available is https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-MB169B-1920x1080-Portable-Monitor/dp/B013XFJKGI?th=1

If the monitor can take an input via HDMI or Displayport, then you can still use it with your laptop, you'll just have to deal with two cables instead of one.

 

[Brain Freeze]

If you're fortunate, you can find some monitors that still take USB-A. However, they're solely for providing another screen and I'm not sure if they're suitable to doing anything that requires the GPU (i.e., they do software rendering) One such monitor that's still available is https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-MB169B-1920x1080-Portable-Monitor/dp/B013XFJKGI?th=1

If the monitor can take an input via HDMI or Displayport, then you can still use it with your laptop, you'll just have to deal with two cables instead of one.

The two cables you refer to would be like mini display port and usb c or hdmi and usb c?
I'm sorry for sounding dumb but this is all new to me.

 

[hotaru.hino]

The two cables you refer to would be like mini display port and usb c or hdmi and usb c?
I'm sorry for sounding dumb but this is all new to me.

Two cables being one for the video signal and one for power (USB is usually enough to power it)

 

[Brain Freeze]

Two cables being one for the video signal and one for power (USB is usually enough to power it)

Thanks so very much for your help and patience, happy holidays and god bless

 

[Brain Freeze]

Two cables being one for the video signal and one for power (USB is usually enough to power it)

I do have 1 more question, is there such a cable that has either hdmi or mini display port plus power from a usb c and run it to a usb c for a monitor? Another words two different ports going into 1 like a one cable wire like usb c normally is?