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Connect 2 monitors to a laptop docking station
Multiple monitors can increase productivity and bring a great working experience especially when you are using a laptop. If your laptop lacks some functionality then the use of multiple monitors is widely practiced and it’s a simple concept. Docking stations are widely used as an alternative to multiple adapters for high end users.
If you are really interested to boost your productivity and to get the most out of your laptop, then connecting two monitors with a laptop through a docking station is a worthy option. But here the question arises how to connect 2 monitors to a laptop docking station? Don’t worry it’s not a difficult task.
External monitors start functioning immediately right after making connections. Just you have to consider multiple prerequisites before connecting 2 monitors to a laptop docking station. Like:
- Check the compatibility of PC:
First of all analyze your PCfor the support of monitor to a laptop. Also, check laptop support for the multimode display.
HINT: Most windows laptops now support dual monitors.
- Graphic card feasibility:
Graphic card feasibility means your graphic card support for dual displays is available or not. Also, check for drivers. Keep in mind that graphics cards have two major categories. One is dedicated and other is integrated. Dedicated graphic cards have single functionality and integrated cards support multiple features.
For analyzing graphic card compatibility, open your display manager. Note the model number and manufacturer. Then visit the manufacturer’s official website and check specifications to see if it supports additional two external monitors.
HINT: If your laptop has limited functionalities then check your laptop slot for another card and extend its features. Also, if you find out graphics card compatibility issues, then try alternative techniques like Daisy Chain Setup and Display Link Setup.
- The ports available in PC and connectivity.
Before getting yourself in messy wires on docking of your laptop check the available ports on the back or side of the laptop. Mostly a laptop has four ports which are:
- Display port: provides the interface with optional audio
- Digital Video Interface (DVI): a color coded port with labels and white plastic.
- Video Graphic Array (VGA): color coded with blue plastic and labels
- High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI): connects all video devices and provides sound.
Many laptops have a mixture of above-mentioned ports so while examining your laptop if you see two ports on the video card of your laptop then this card is able to send and receive signals at a time. In the case of one port, it is not capable of doing tasks simultaneously. After checking these ports make sure you’re your PC has corresponding ports as well.
- Operating system
- The accurate and active setup process
Before making connections check whether your device fulfills these prerequisites or not. Here’s everything you need to know in detail before connecting external monitors to a laptop.
SETTING UP DOCKING STATION:
When you plug the available docking station with your laptop for the first time the software is automatically installed. First power the dock and connect the ‘B’ end of the USB cable to a matching port. Now connect your DVI port of monitor into the connector of the docking station. Connect ‘A’ end of USB cable to your laptop. Then follow the instructions coming on screen to install the software.
SETTING UP TWO EXTERNAL MONITORS:
HINT: While connecting your external monitors with the laptop, make sure it is turned on.
To connect 2 monitors to a laptop docking station, perform the following steps:
STEP # 1:
Plug the cables of the first monitor to the correct video port on a laptop.
STEP # 2:
Now, plug the cables of second monitor to the port on a laptop.
STEP # 3:
On your laptop, right click on an empty area of desktop screen and click on display settings.
STEP # 4:
In display mode, three displays will appear labeled as 1, 2 and 3.
HINT: generally, your laptop has display 1 and display 2, 3 are of external monitors.
STEP # 5:
Click on display 2, and select ‘extend desktop to this display’ in multiple displays and click apply.
STEP # 6:
Now click on display 3, and again select ‘extend desktop to this display’ in multiple displays and click apply.
STEP # 7:
Click OK and now you are good to see two monitors along with your laptop.
STEP # 8:
To rearrange displays, click or drag each display.
HINT: If you can’t see plugged in monitors of in case you haven’t seen any notifications it means that the monitors aren’t connected to your laptop. The reason might be improper connections or damaged cables. So when you face such issues ensure all the cables are plugged in correctly and do dummy tests with alternative cable or monitor.
BONUS TIP:
A laptop is able to connect only two monitors at a time generally. If you are desirous to connect three monitors with a laptop, extra equipment is required which is USB display adapter. It has another adapter on its other end. This device will allow your laptop to have USB connections. Just connect the adapter with the USB port on laptop dockings and you are good to go to connect external monitors to a laptop.
FINAL WORDS:
Using multiple external monitors with your laptop is a feasible and cost effective approach. It allows viewing stuff easily with more screen space. The philosophy of connecting 2 monitors to a laptop docking station is entirely based on video card feasibility, availability of ports and display settings. You just have to configure all monitors in the right way.
In this article, we have tried our best to help you out with easy connecting mechanism.