Computer Advice

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21st October 2020, 16:17
RS404

Computer Advice

I've recently set up a home office and have been working on a laptop. I want to set up dual monitors. I've got the monitors but only one HDMI port on the laptop so I can only use one at the moment. What else do I need?

I've looked on Amazon but it's not very clear, I don't want to end up with one screen mirrored, I want to use two applications at the same time.

Would appreciate any advice.

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21st October 2020, 16:21
craig1912

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS404

I've recently set up a home office and have been working on a laptop. I want to set up dual monitors. I've got the monitors but only one HDMI port on the laptop so I can only use one at the moment. What else do I need?

I've looked on Amazon but it's not very clear, I don't want to end up with one screen mirrored, I want to use two applications at the same time.

Would appreciate any advice.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Pretty sure you can only mirror two displays as HDMI doesn’t have the ability to send two different signals. Have you got a vga port as well?
21st October 2020, 16:25
Kingstepper

A USB to graphics adapter might work. Depends whether your graphic card can handle an additional display.
21st October 2020, 16:27
hughtrimble

What other ports does your laptop have?
21st October 2020, 16:29
craig1912

you also might be able to buy a docking station which might do it. What the make of laptop
21st October 2020, 16:44
Ontological

If you have USB-C you can get a USB-C to HDMI connector.

Try eBay . Currys if you're in a hurry.
21st October 2020, 16:50
wileeeeeey

Might be worth giving us the name and the model number of the laptop.

Most laptops will have 1x hdmi and then 1x usb or display port. You should be fine unless you're really unlucky.
21st October 2020, 17:02
RS404

Quote:

Originally Posted by wileeeeeey

Might be worth giving us the name and the model number of the laptop.

Most laptops will have 1x hdmi and then 1x usb or display port. You should be fine unless you're really unlucky.

Thanks for the responses. It's an HP 15s-fq1003na. It has 1x HDMI port, 2x USB/A ports and 1x USB/C.
21st October 2020, 17:12
mrsammyp

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS404

Thanks for the responses. It's an HP 15s-fq1003na. It has 1x HDMI port, 2x USB/A ports and 1x USB/C.

I think a USB-C to HDMI cable would work perfectly on one monitor, alongside a HDMI cable for the second monitor.

Otherwise the more expensive option would be a USB-C docking station (e.g. Dell WD15).
21st October 2020, 17:18
RS404

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsammyp

I think a USB-C to HDMI cable would work perfectly on one monitor, alongside a HDMI cable for the second monitor.

Otherwise the more expensive option would be a USB-C docking station (e.g. Dell WD15).

Thanks, I guess I'll try the cable first and get a docking station if that doesn't work.
21st October 2020, 17:19
Hammond

Something like this adapter would give you pretty good flexibility. USB-C is a highly capable interface. Will allow you to use a regular HDMI<->HDMI cable.
21st October 2020, 17:27
mangoosian

Are the monitors 1080p rather than 4k? Not many laptops have a graphics card that can drive 2 x 4k plus their own screen.

I set up a single 4k with laptop at the start of lockdown. I looked at adding another 4k monitor recently but I would not be able to run 3 screens at that res with my current laptop.
21st October 2020, 17:32
wileeeeeey

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS404

Thanks for the responses. It's an HP 15s-fq1003na. It has 1x HDMI port, 2x USB/A ports and 1x USB/C.

Think you're stuck with 1x external monitor, sorry. The USB C port is gen 1 which is data only. No video signal passes through which is what you'd need. Could try a bigger monitor?

Only buy cables to try from places with good returns policies. USB C should have been fine, but not Gen 1 which is what the specs say you have.