Recommendation for Laptop with Docking Station to Support 3 Screens - Budget $1000 to $2000

Lkristym on 28/03/2024 - 10:19
Last edited 28/03/2024 - 11:22 by 1 other user

I'm looking to upgrade my laptop for work. I work in administration, and like to run 3 monitors with my laptop screen closed.

Currently I'm using my desktop computer (nearly 10 years old now) and it just isn't standing up to the demand of running multiple programs at once, plus Google Chrome, plus Outlook, plus Excel and my antivirus. It's completely understandable given the age of the computer.

I'd like to ditch my desktop computer and buy a better laptop than my current HP 15-da0356tx. Link for specs

In the past I have used a laptop with a docking station that supports two monitors and the use of the laptop screen. I know I'm being fussy but I really prefer just to use the 3 monitors I have on my desk and keep my laptop shut. My monitors are 24" and much easier to see than the laptop screen.

Could anyone make recommendations of a good quality laptop with numeric keypad, that is compatible with a docking station that is capable of supporting 3 displays? SSD is also a must. My budget is $1,000 up to $2,000 for the right setup but please feel free to let me know if my budget is way off, no hard feelings.

Computing Computer Docking Station Laptop

Comments

  • jv on 28/03/2024 - 10:31
    +1

    plus Google Chrome, plus Outlook, plus Excel and my antivirus. It's completely understandable given the age of the computer.

    Use Edge instead of Chrome. It uses less resources.

    • kristym on 28/03/2024 - 10:33

      Has Edge improved since the days of Internet Explorer? I have to admit, I'm currently boycotting Edge because I associate it as being the same as Internet Explorer.

      • jv on 28/03/2024 - 10:36
        +2

        Yes. It is better than Chrome now.

        Chrome uses a lot of system resources…

        • kristym on 28/03/2024 - 10:40
          +1

          That's really good to know. Thanks for your advice!

          • jv on 28/03/2024 - 11:01

            @kristym: Also, if you're 10yo desktop currently is using a HDD, you will get a very noticeable performance improvement by migrating your system to use an SSD for a minimal cost.

            • kristym on 28/03/2024 - 11:15

              @jv: I've got a 117GB SSD which has the operating system and programs installed on it, in addition to a 3TB storage drive where everything else goes such as photos, documents and downloads. Do you think there would be a benefit to getting a larger SSD and just running the one drive?
              My CPU is an AMD A8-7600 Raedon R7 and I've got 8GB ram, if that potentially impacts the viability of upgrading my hard drive at all.

              • jv on 28/03/2024 - 11:38

                @kristym:

                Do you think there would be a benefit to getting a larger SSD and just running the one drive?

                Not really. If your OS and apps are already on the SSD, that will make the most difference.

                If you can get cheap ram, you can try upgrading to 16GB, but I wouldn't waste too much money on an old PC.

      • freefall101 on 28/03/2024 - 11:52
        +1

        Edge is based on Chromium these days (i.e. the same engine in Chrome). Edge has the edge in terms of memory usage and speed, but we're talking 10-20%, not drastically different.

        Easiest solution is to make sure you have at least 16GB RAM.

      • rumblytangara on 28/03/2024 - 11:56
        +1

        Wow, that's maybe 20 years of computing history skipped.

        Edge has been using the Chrome engine for years now. I don't use Edge, but not because I think it's the same as Internet Explorer.

  • Devastator0 on 28/03/2024 - 11:53

    Finding a docking station that will support 3 monitors will be a challenge. For some context, I was, up until recently using a HP Elitebook 840 G8 and then a HP Elitebook 840 G10 laptop with a HP USB-C G5 docking station with 3 monitors connected (2 Display Port and 1 via HDMi). I had a whole bunch of issues with having the 3rd screen connected even though when I looked up what the dock and the laptops supported, they should have worked together. If it was just 2 DisplayPort monitors, no dramas, but as soon as you try and add the 3rd, it becomes a pain in the ass.

    With the 840 G8, when the 3rd monitor was connected, I randomly experienced this weird lag with the mouse cursor just chugging/skipping, was either like the GPU in the laptop was struggling or there wasn't enough bandwidth over USB-C to power all 3 screens. With the 840 G10, the 3rd, HDMi connected screen, would just flick off and on randomly, I could never fix it.

    I'm sorry I couldn't give you any recommendations but I just wanted to let you know of my own experience. Good luck in your search though & hope you do find a good solution.

  • Gdsamp on 28/03/2024 - 12:47

    concur with above that might be tricky to find a dock that supports 3x monitors. some of the thinkpad docks do support it but only 1080p at 30Hz.
    you might get away with dock for 2x monitors then use a spare thunderbolt/usb c port for 3rd monitor. not ideal, but thats only 2 cables that on most windows laptops would be right next to each other.
    pair with suitable thinkpad

  • barge-in hunter on 28/03/2024 - 13:19

    Probably not what you’re looking for, but many of the later MacBook pros support three or four screens natively using hdmi and usbc/thunderbolt (but it would mean a few cables, instead of one dock).

    Otherwise, the question has to be asked - does it need to be a laptop? Many of these windows based minipcs on sale will do everything you’re looking for quite cheaply, except being portable.

  • Look Up on 28/03/2024 - 13:48
    +1

    Could anyone make recommendations of a good quality laptop with numeric keypad, that is compatible with a docking station that is capable of supporting 3 displays?

    MSI Prestige 13 EVO i5-1340P, 16GB LPDDR5, 512GB SSD, 13.3" WUXGA IPS 450nits Ultrabook $999 Delivered + Surcharge @ Centre Com

    The best choice at $1K

    Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports + HDMI 2.1 port = native support for 3x 4K high refresh screens

    TB4 is the key requirement for you since there are plenty of quality TB docks to handle even more screens and ports

    As for the numpad, since you're mainly plugged in at a desk, just buy a proper full size USB keyboard with some nice Cherry MX switches

    If you need a numpad when mobile, get an external USB numpad

  • djsweet on 28/03/2024 - 14:45

    Thunderbolt 4 (and 3 for that matter) has only 2 display channels. So for triple monitor, you wont get it all in one dock. It will be dock plus an extra cable to your laptop.

  • sumyungguy on 28/03/2024 - 16:51
    -3

    My standard advice is when we have one head, why multiple displays? Specific use cases may be gaming or racing/flight simulators or you have spare low-res displays lying around otherwise unused. Where I used to work the second display was commonly used solely for Facebook/TikTok/Instagram. I didn't have spare time for social media so had a single 27-inch 4K while everyone else had dual 24-inch FHD. My employer (mainly ERP & CRM desktop clients) relocated to a new fitout so trialled 42-inch (way too big) & ultrawide curved (built for gaming, overrated for MS Excel). They settled on single 32-inch 4K which displays the equivalent of four FHD desktops. If you prefer the multi-screen vibe and the required mounting hardware then go for it.

  • Markusaus on 29/03/2024 - 06:12

    I went down this route a couple of months back. The costs ended up being very high and instead I bought used HP desk elite mini 800 G8 but still under HP warranty. Superb for what i need as i decided to buy two instead of a laptop (office/home). Holds two ssd m.2 cards and I also fitted a 2.5” bay for my old samsung ssd into one They have two dvi ports (hp adapters cables to other formats are cheap) and it also has another m.2 type slot for a third display (eg hdmi). Prices are all over the place on ebay. I paid less than $500 each. The earlier G7/6 sometimes go around $300 but will definitely have no HP warranty left. They are corporate targeted boxes so built to run forever. Supply of cheap ones is inconsistent on ebay and seems to arrive in batches from auctions (those with consistent supply charge a lot more)

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