How to Connect ThinkPad Carbon X1 to 2x Dell P2419H Monitors?

Pbm33 on 17/09/2020 - 12:20

Hi guys, I currently have a Lenovo Carbon X1 connected to a Dell P2419H monitor. I'm keen to get another one of these monitors to have a dual monitor setup. But will I be able to have 2 of these monitors connected to the Carbon X1 without needing a docking station? I currently have the laptop connected to the monitor using a HDMI (the monitor came with a DP cable but the laptop does not have this connection).

Would appreciate some help. Basically looking for a cheap but good way to set this up.

Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • muzzamo on 17/09/2020 - 12:39
    +2

    I'm thinking 2x USB-C to displayport cables will do the trick.

    Unfortunately it's a bit of a rabbit hole to get the right cable that supports thunderbolt etc, so buy from a place that has a good returns policy.

    If you can stretch your budget a bit, get a USB-C monitor such as the Dell P2419HC. That way your laptop will charge at the same time and it will come with a USB-C cable that will work.

    • Pam74 on 17/09/2020 - 13:32
      +1

      +1 for this, the p2419hc has a DisplayPort output so you can daisy chain to you p2419h meaning only the one usb-c to your laptop

      • Pbm33 on 17/09/2020 - 17:11

        Sorry actually it's a Lenovo X1 Yoga. It has these connections:
        2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (1 x Always On)
        2 x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 / Thunderbolt™ 3
        1 x HDMI 1.4b

        The Dell P2419H has the following connection ports:
        HDMI Port
        DisplayPort
        VGA Connector

        The monitor is shipped with a DisplayPort Cable, but given the laptop does not have DisplayPort Cable, I have the 2 connected using a HDMI to HDMI cable.

        There are 3 other devices which I have in the setup:
        - wired keyboard
        - wired mouse
        - wired headset

        My setup looks like this:
        https://imgur.com/mXCKW1H

        So now trying to add another monitor to this setup..

        • Pam74 on 17/09/2020 - 17:15

          Yep,

          So you go laptop to p2419hc with usb-c cable (can plug all your keyboard and mouse into usb ports on the monitor aswell), then p2419hc to p2419h with the display port cable, ( you will see the p2419hc has two displayports, one is for normal use and the other is for daisy chaining which you will want to use).

          • Pbm33 on 17/09/2020 - 17:37
            +2

            @Pam74: Have I got this right?
            https://imgur.com/V1FJ5Yp

            • Pam74 on 17/09/2020 - 18:42

              @Pbm33: Yep! you can even plug the usb from the p2419h into one of the usb ports on the p2419hc for truly 1 cable connection :)

            • muzzamo on 17/09/2020 - 18:53

              @Pbm33: Yeah it looks right although your mouse cable is too long in the picture it can just plug straight into a monitor

            • O O on 17/09/2020 - 19:09

              @Pbm33: I doubt if you can daisy chain 2 montors thru DP, if you use USB-C from the Lenovo X1 Yoga, but it's no harm trying.

              • Pbm33 on 17/09/2020 - 20:28

                @O O: Why would it not?

    • Pbm33 on 17/09/2020 - 13:12

      No don't need it. The P2419H already comes with a stand which is quite good in terms of adjustability, and I'm not too bothered about the footprint.

  • cwongtech on 17/09/2020 - 13:20

    But will I be able to have 2 of these monitors connected to the Carbon X1 without needing a docking station?

    What IO ports do you have with your Carbon X1?

    There's different generations so I'm not well-versed with different generations and changes nor do I know your current one.

    Is yours the below?
    2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (1 x Always On)
    2 x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 / Thunderbolt™ 3
    1 x HDMI 1.4b
    1 x Ethernet extension connector
    1 x nano-SIM card slot (WWAN model)
    1 x headphone/mic jack

    HDMI to HDMI is your current connection right?
    You can get a USB 3.0 to HDMI connector off eBay, $15~
    Example listing here
    Second example here

    • Pbm33 on 17/09/2020 - 17:11

      Sorry actually it's a Lenovo X1 Yoga. It has these connections:
      2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (1 x Always On)
      2 x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 / Thunderbolt™ 3
      1 x HDMI 1.4b

      The Dell P2419H has the following connection ports:
      HDMI Port
      DisplayPort
      VGA Connector

      The monitor is shipped with a DisplayPort Cable, but given the laptop does not have DisplayPort Cable, I have the 2 connected using a HDMI to HDMI cable.

      There are 3 other devices which I have in the setup:
      - wired keyboard
      - wired mouse
      - wired headset

      My setup looks like this:
      https://imgur.com/mXCKW1H

      So now trying to add another monitor to this setup.

      • cwongtech on 18/09/2020 - 01:25

        2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A (1 x Always On)
        2 x USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 / Thunderbolt™ 3

        So you have 1 x free USB-C port yes?

        Option 1) Use a USB-C to HDMI adapter

        Option 2) Use a USB-A to HDMI adapter
        Move your mouse USB to the second USB port on the P2419H where your jabra headphones. There should be two USB-ports there.

  • Pbm33 on 18/09/2020 - 09:11

    Thanks for all the input guys. Have some ideas I will explore now.

  • Pbm33 on 21/09/2020 - 12:54

    Ok, I have come up with an issue.

    Was about to purchase the P2419HC to daisy chain to the P2419H but the Dell chat are saying this cannot be done because P2419H does not have DisplayPort In and Out ports.

    Does anyone know this for sure?

    • Pbm33 on 01/10/2020 - 13:45

      bump

  • Pbm33 on 04/10/2020 - 11:44
    Merged from My planned dual monitor setup - thoughts?

    Hi guys,

    I've been thinking how to set up for a dual monitor with minimum wiring but also keeping it cost effective.

    I've come up with the following:
    https://imgur.com/9PyS72w

    The components:
    - ThinkPad X1 Yoga G4: provided by work
    - Jabra Evolve headset: provided by work
    - Dell P2419H: bought couple of months ago for $255
    - Dell P2419HC: need to buy. I figure I can get Dell to negotiate this down to ~$300, and I have a $110 voucher. Should bring price down to ~$190.
    - Logitech MK270R: currently using a wired keyboard/mouse provided by work. Plan to replace this with the wireless MK270R = ~$40
    - Logitech C270: for those Teams/Zoom calls, should cost ~$75.

    I could also plug out the X1 Yoga work laptop, and plug in my XPS 15 which is my personal laptop to use this setup for personal purposes also.

    Thoughts?

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