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At work I use a docking station which allows me to use 2 monitors while keeping my laptop closed.
I want to have this set-up at home for personal use (including some web development). I went to Best Buy to look around, and they did not have any docking stations. Their solutions would involve a simple HDMI to monitor link, but would require the laptop to be up and running. Also, isn't it true that the laptop could not provide output to 2 monitors in addition to its own screen?
I will be using a Dell Latitude d630 business laptop for this. To use 2 external monitors with it, is my only choice to buy a compatible docking station?
I own just the laptop, and would be purchasing all other necessary equipment. Here's the list so far:
-2 monitors (likely Dell p2210)
-keyboard
-mouse
-displayport cable (dell uses dp instead of HDMI)
Anything else to add? Will I regret not buying speakers? I'm not planning on using it for much entertainment, but I'm sure I'll be watching instructional videos on Youtube and elsewhere. I'm trying to keep it low cost.
That laptop has a quadro NVS 135 which supports 2 displays max (1 external, 1 laptop), so yes you'd have to get a docking station that would act as a secondary video card.
You can always add 15 dollar walmart speakers to it later if you wanted.
That laptop has a quadro NVS 135 which supports 2 displays max (1 external, 1 laptop), so yes you'd have to get a docking station that would act as a secondary video card.
You can always add 15 dollar walmart speakers to it later if you wanted.
No they wouldn't, a USB video adapter will get the job done just fine.
I think I'm going to get a refurbished dock on eBay. Any recommended monitors? I plan to just get dell p2210s as that's what I use at work but I'd consider similar quality/price monitors that HDMI instead of DisplayPort.
Also, I may have gotten some wrong info. My work displays use dvi-d cables. I'm not even sure what displayport is or why someone had brought it up online. From what I can tell its primary use is for Macs.
Also, I may have gotten some wrong info. My work displays use dvi-d cables. I'm not even sure what displayport is or why someone had brought it up online. From what I can tell its primary use is for Macs.
DisplayPort is used in PCs as well. The PC I am typing this on has a DisplayPort. In terms of monitor conectivity:
Thunderbolt: Current
HDMI: Current for TV (although it's old, it's still current)
DisplayPort: Getting old
DVI: Old
VGA: Why?
What really matters, more than anything, is that the computer and laptop support the same interface (with or without an adapter). Thunderbolt isn't necessarily better than DVI for a monitor, just because it's newer.
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