Can a Docking System on a Cheap Laptop Graphic Card force to use Multi Monitors?

• 

  Caped Baldy on 02/04/2020 - 10:06

  +1

  I would avoid ebay just cos I haven't really tried refunds and returns. Would suggest B&M stores or amazon.
  These may work but hard to tell unless you try:
  https://www.amazon.com.au/Displayport-Ethernet-Multiport-Dif…
  https://www.amazon.com.au/Tiergrade-Display-Adapter-DisplayP…

  Otherwise, maybe try a bigger screen? I'm enjoying my 34 ultrawide

  Edit: may not work since they're usb c

  • 

    hanelee on 02/04/2020 - 10:25

    Thanks. I too had some issues with eBay when it comes to return or refund. Unfortunately, I need to have multiple screens to do my work which continuously work across spreadsheets.

    • 

      Paul Atreides on 02/04/2020 - 10:52

      going off topic a little, but i thought the same way until i tried it

• 

  knk on 02/04/2020 - 10:51

  +1

  IT guy here.

  Both docks will be fine. They all use a displayport chip, they're all doing the same thing from a display point of view. USB ports / ethernet etc is separate but that's probably not a concern.

  "USB Type C to HDMI adaptor "

  These are awfully specific, but would allow graphics acceleration from the laptop. The docks you've linked won't, but will be fine for office work. I personally buy Targus units for all clients and we've had good luck. The dock110au will handle 2 external screens fine and retail for around $100. If the laptop only has USB-C you can get an adaptor for this (USB-C to USB-A) which will allow you to use a standard USB port.

  With the dock I mentioned above, they also make one (can't remember the model) that's basically the same thing and comes with an adaptor.

  If you get a dock that doesn't have an external power source (like above) you may need to add one yourself in the form of a power brick for a phone (usually micro-usb) if your laptop doesn't dish out enough power. This is unusual but it does happen.

  • 

    hanelee on 02/04/2020 - 12:10

    +1

    Thanks knk, I was concerning of getting an additional dock to my workstation and it eventually fails to work. However if any of docks work well on my pity laptop, I might have to go for it. With Targus 110au, officeworks has it on clearance but they are all Ozbargained!

    There are a couple of USB-A outputs on my laptop so I would much prefer Targus unit if I can get one!

    • 

      knk on 02/04/2020 - 12:14

      Yeah if they're standard USB you're fine as they're a self contained GPU basically.

      My suppliers have literally 0 stock so you're probably going to have to just take what you can get at this stage.

• 

  djkelly69 on 02/04/2020 - 10:53

  +1

  We use something like this with our work laptops to run multiple displays. USB3 port/cable from laptop to docking station, then monitors connected to the docking station.

• 

  John Kimble on 02/04/2020 - 11:16

  +1

  Wow, so these docks have a built in video card that the laptop can leverage instead or augment the existing one?

  If they work, sounds great.

  The future is now!

  • 

    Switchblade88 on 02/04/2020 - 12:57

    +1

    These docks' GPUs are almost always worse than any integrated GPU, as well as being restricted by the USB interface too. I wouldn't be using it for anything more than a Youtube video, they simply won't keep up. Works great for spreadsheets/websites/slideshows etc that don't change much.

    • 

      John Kimble on 02/04/2020 - 13:10

      Yeah, that's why I put the "if they work" condition in. I agree I assume there might be a bottleneck at the connection point.

      • 

        knk on 02/04/2020 - 18:27

        They go alright for basic use. I have clients who did basic drawing markups of CAD files without issue (not autocad, specialized program and all 2d).

        That's probably as much as you'd want to do with one.

        For office work as said they're perfectly fine.

• 

  Switchblade88 on 02/04/2020 - 11:23

  +1

  Used to be the case >10 years ago that GPUs would only support 2 monitors, but nowdays if you've got the outputs they'll take as many outputs as you've got. In your case, you've only got one HDMI out which is a problem.

  HOWEVER:

  USB Type C to HDMI adaptor bought from Amazon is not currently working

  These USB-type ones are, fundamentally, a self-contained GPU. So you can generally add a handful before your laptop will start chugging - although this will happen sooner rather than later on a budget laptop. You're also stuck if, as you've experienced, it doesn't want to work.

  a docking system that could potentially be a solution

  Assuming they work, then yes. However the cost of a full docking station @ $200ish is almost half the price of a budget desktop PC from Techfast. You will get 3x monitor outs (VGA, HDMI, DVI) even without a dedicated GPU!

  • 

    hanelee on 02/04/2020 - 12:14

    Thanks Switchblade88, I would much prefer to get a work desktop but my study room gets easily heat up and fan sound would be a trouble for my toddler who sleeps next to me while working. Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

    • 

      Switchblade88 on 02/04/2020 - 13:26

      +1

      What about a spare/secondhand laptop instead? Anything that's got HDMI + DisplayPort and you'd be set, and you'd have more flexibility than a dock - take your Aspire on the road/on the couch, and the other as a 'permanent' silent desktop.

      Better yet, there's heaps of refurb USFF desktops under $200 that are silent PCs and have dual DP. Super popular on OzB!

• 

  Brotality on 02/04/2020 - 13:27

  +1

  https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lenovo-DU9019D1-Thinkpad-USB-3-0…

  I've had one these for the last 4 years. 2 FHD 27" screens running at 60Hz no problem. You only need 1 USB 3.0. I've tried it on several other laptops with only the intel iGPU and it works fine!

  As KNK mentioned, these are only good enough for office use since they use clever realtime compression (DisplayLink) to fit all of the display data, gigabit ethernet, and more USB 3.0 on just the one USB 3 connection.