USB 3.0 Dock for 2x HDMI Screens, or a Replacement Laptop + USB-C Dock?

donbot on 10/08/2021 - 11:56
Last edited 10/08/2021 - 12:05 by 1 other user

I am driving myself mad with trying to source a replacement laptop for my 8 year old Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook, or if I even need to?

Is something like this sufficient to drive 2 x HD (1920 x 1024) HDMI screens from a Intel HD 4000 internal graphics?

Its office work - no graphics/gaming/etc. Would the attached USB 3 to 2 x HDMI be suitable for purpose?

If not, I'm in need of a laptop and dock (usb-c or thunderbolt, dont care - just want power over it, and 2 x HDMI for HD screens) to replace it. Will not be using 4K Screens, but will need 2 docks (one for home office, one for remote office - I'm not moving the dock between sites). Everyone seems hellbent on nits for the screen - it wont be used outside, so as long as screen is decent. 15" - not going 13".

Welcome your thoughts. Would be keen to use the USB 3 adapter above, but dont really want to throw $100 at something that isnt suitable, given I'm also happy to upgrade if isnt suitable.

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • Mechz on 10/08/2021 - 12:05
    +1

    That USB to 2xHDMI will be fine.

  • shiftyphil on 10/08/2021 - 12:39

    Anything with a USB-A connection to the laptop will have a DisplayLink chip.

    The advantage is they don't need USB-C on the laptop end, so they're good for older systems.
    Disadvantage is they won't perform for gaming, and requires a proprietary driver that can have weird bugs.

    If you switch to a modern laptop, you're better off with USB-C one.

  • alexlim2000 on 10/08/2021 - 12:46

    I'd say get a new laptop and write it off for tax purposes (or get work to pay for it as a work tool).

    Your laptop is a 13inch 2012 laptop, it would clearly be struggling with today's office tasks.
    Get a new laptop, with at least 16gb of ram and an SSD so things 'just work as they should', a well as USB-C, so you have a single cable that recharges and connects screens.

    You'll also find that newer laptops are lighter and stronger, which means better quality of life as you lug that laptop around.

    Having a newer laptop with decent battery (> 4hrs, which your old 2012 wont have), is pretty good for this work-from-home environment as it gives you flexibility to move around the house.

    • donbot on 10/08/2021 - 13:33

      Is 16gb that key for an office machine?

      I'm looking at Dell/Lenovo's of around $1000-1500 mark. I think I can settle on a machine, but the dock is what kills me as I've never worked with them, and the lenovo/dell docks are ridiculously expensive, particularly as I'm buying two of them (I know I could skimp, but doesnt make sense to).

      Is any current laptop with almost any usb-c dock going to have the ability to run 2 screens at HD via HDMI? Thats pretty much my requirement. Given I'm not overly demanding user (office based, no video or gameplay), is it a case of any old dock will do?

      Battery is somewhat irrelevant - as long as it gets a few hours for meetings, its sufficient. When you work from home with a toddler… moving around the house is not an option to actually work!

      • shiftyphil on 10/08/2021 - 13:59

        Is any current laptop with almost any usb-c dock going to have the ability to run 2 screens at HD via HDMI?

        On the laptop, yeah pretty much (but not 100%) any current laptop will support video over USB-C.

        The problem is finding affordable docks that have dual HDMI.

        The ones I am currently buying for office use are:
        https://www.umart.com.au/Volans-Aluminium-12-in-1-Triple-Dis…
        https://www.umart.com.au/Volans-Aluminium-14-in-1-Triple-Dis…

        The ASUS simpro dock (if you can find it) or the Lenovo USB-C dock are also good; more expensive but include power supply that will power most laptops.

        • donbot on 10/08/2021 - 14:14

          Interesting! That 14-in-1 Volans seems to tick a lot of boxes for me - being the screens + power delivery (so one cable to plug in for everything). Am I missing something when comparing to the Lenovo USB-C (that is a lot more expensive?)

          And lastly - 'yeah pretty much (but not 100%) any current laptop will support video over USB-C' - is there something I need to dodge to avoid this issue? What would make a laptop not be able to do it?

          Thanks for your post. Its good to hear first hand whats being used!

          • alexlim2000 on 10/08/2021 - 15:01
            +1

            @donbot: go for any Intel 8th gen or higher CPU , with USB C and you should be fine.

          • djkelly69 on 10/08/2021 - 16:19

            @donbot: Don't even have to spend that much - I have this one which has been posted here a few times for around $40, and it seems to do everything you need.

            • donbot on 10/08/2021 - 16:37

              @djkelly69: Sweet! Thats got me feeling really good that there are cheaper alternatives out there that are decent for what I need. I'm a simple man.. last time I bought a laptop, USB3 was all there was to worry about!

              More and more, I think its time to upgrade. The idea of having 1 cable to plug in that has everything hanging off it makes more sense.

              One last question - Thunderbolt and USB-C have the same physical cable, but I'm guessing they are not inter-changeably compatible? Some of the laptops I'm looking at have thunderbolt for i7, but usb-c for upto i5.

              • djkelly69 on 10/08/2021 - 17:08
                +1

                @donbot: Unfortunately I am not really up on the Thunderbolt/USB-C stuff as I am just using a work-supplied laptop, but hopefully others can chime in.

                • donbot on 10/08/2021 - 17:09

                  @djkelly69: No probs. Just the inspiron 15's with an i7 tick all the boxes I think I need at a ripper price, but I dont want to then have to shell out 100's for 2 docks.

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