2nd monitor for laptop via USB-C?

[samdale]

Girlfriend is working from home for the foreseeable future and would like more screens.
Laptop is an HP pavilion x360 i3 14".
1 extra monitor is fine via an hdmi. We would like a second monitor so there are 2x 20"+ screens rather than one big screen and 1 small laptop screen.
Only other port of the laptop that seems close to being capable is a USB-C.

Various options and advice seem to be out there from a simple cable (research suggests this won't work with this laptop) to much more expensive hubs.

Does anyone know for definite before we bite the bullet on various products that we may have to return?

ETA: second monitor is DVI

Edited by samdale on Tuesday 21st July 11:44

[TimmyMallett]

My work laptop is a HP Elitebook and connects to a HPe243d via USB

https://www.ebuyer.com/876446-hp-elitedisplay-e243...

Full pass through network and power so just one USB C connection from laptop to monitor charges the laptop and you can connect Ethernet to the monitor

[sgrimshaw]

If you're unwilling to order something that might have to be returned then the safest option is to buy an HP USB C hub:

https://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/Product.aspx?id...

Clcik on Accessorries, then Cables.

The £29.99 USB-C Hub has 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB-C and 1 x USB port, the £25 one is simply a USB-C - HDMI adaptor.

You will need an HDMI - DVI cable in either cases, less than a tenner on Amazon.

[samdale]

CheesecakeRunner said:

whether the USB C port you have outputs video.

This very much seems to be the issue. As for the exact laptop, I'm unsure. She's working ATM but the laptop is a couple of years old so likely to be a previous model.

[xeny]

samdale said:

This very much seems to be the issue. As for the exact laptop, I'm unsure. She's working ATM but the laptop is a couple of years old so likely to be a previous model.

The thing to check for is if the USB C port supports DisplayPort alt mode.

hwinfo (https://www.hwinfo.com/) may help you determine the exact laptop model so you can look at the spec sheet.

[frisbee]

I couldn't be arsed to research it, I just bought an adaptor for £10 and it worked fine.

[maffski]

samdale said:

CheesecakeRunner said:

whether the USB C port you have outputs video.

This very much seems to be the issue. As for the exact laptop, I'm unsure. She's working ATM but the laptop is a couple of years old so likely to be a previous model.

Monitors that use USB-C will (almost always) require display mode over USB-C but port replicators/docking stations will be display link - they work with any USB 3.

[dhutch]

Yes, you can get a £8-10 USB-C to HDMI adapter, and a £3 HDMI to DVI lead or adapter, and bobs you uncle.

I got one back in March to do exactly the same with my works HP laptop, I think it's a ugreen 'brand' one for what little it's likely worth.

You can then also get USB-C docks, with a stack of ports, ethernet, usb3 etc but they where pricey and I already had a grotty ebay spec usb hub to run mouse/keyboard/webcam off.


Daniel