Use laptop with two additional monitors and NOT laptop screen? Only 1 HDMI slot

Working_in_pyjamas

DoaM said:

Chino said:

DoaM said:

No idea if something like this may work: [won't let me quote a link!]

This suggests that it wouldn't work the way the OP wants:

It can only connects one input device (eg. DVD player) to two HDMI output devices (eg. TV), but only one output device should be active at any time.

I saw that, but it also says it support 2 TVs at the same time. This may be a better option? [won't let me quote a link!]

I also looked for USB-HDMI converters but ones which also included USB ports. (OP only has 2 USB ports and already plans to use them). There are options on Amazon but the marketplace sellers don't inspire confidence.

Thanks, appreciate youre help - I've had a look at those alreday and although it will show on two screens it says it will only mirror and not extend so I couldn't use the two monitors in dual screen mode.

I can always buy a USB single to double adapter to gain an extra USB slot if needed for the solution.

stragglebod

Could your company swap your laptop for another Thinkpad with the docking connector on the underside? I got a docking station off ebay for my similarly locked down work laptop and if works perfectly without needing drivers. It was one similar to this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40A1-Lenovo-Thinkpad-Ultra-Dock-Type-40A1-For-T440-T450-T540-T460-T470-X240-X260/323907812990?hash=item4b6a68fe7e:g:FRIAAOSwzQRdc9ZH

Edit: just to add, my version supports 2 monitors but only 1 digital + 1 analogue at the same time. So I can have HDMI+VGA but not HDMI+DVI, there are quite a few different versions of the docking station so others might allow simultaneous digit connections.

Working_in_pyjamas

stragglebod said:

Could your company swap your laptop for another Thinkpad with the docking connector on the underside? I got a docking station off ebay for my similarly locked down work laptop and if works perfectly without needing drivers. It was one similar to this [it won't let me quote with links!]

Edit: just to add, my version supports 2 monitors but only 1 digital + 1 analogue at the same time. So I can have HDMI+VGA but not HDMI+DVI, there are quite a few different versions of the docking station so others might allow simultaneous digit connections.

I definitely couldn't 'swap' the laptop, but I think the docking station could be just the thing - I'm sure some others at work use their laptops with docking stations in 'normal' times. Is there some kind of attachment on the laptop itself for you to use yours with a docking station? Mine just looks like a regular laptop when turned upside down!

The two monitors I have also have a VGA slot so could yuse one HDMI>HDMI and one VGA>VGA. I'm not gaming or doing anything super technical so screen quality isn't an issue, it's just I can be so much more productive with two screens.

Working_in_pyjamas

I think I might have found a simple (and cheap!) solution, thanks to @stragglebod

Is there any reason a Lenovo Thinkpad USB 3.0 docking station wouldn't work? I can't post links as a new user but item 373003721269 on ebay is the sort of thing I was thinking. It says in the description "Simply plug in a single USB 3.0 cable into your Lenovo PC for instant access to up to two external monitors."

[Deleted User]

Hi,

here's the link,

Lenovo Thinkpad USB 3.0 docking station.

unforeseen

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

here's the link,

Lenovo Thinkpad USB 3.0 docking station.

I use one of those with my HP Elitebook. Works a treat. 
If you don't get the driver disc with it then just search for Displaylink in Google and get the latest drivers from their site. 

Working_in_pyjamas

[Deleted User] said:

Hi,

here's the link, [link removed to quote]

Thanks for that, much appreciated - I see there’s no HDMI slot but it says about using two screens. Does anybody know what I’d need to use two screens and NOT the laptop screen? Can I use the HDMI slot on the side of the laptop as well as using the new connectors on the docking station?

unforeseen said:

[Deleted User] said:

Hi,

here's the link, [link removed to quote]

I use one of those with my HP Elitebook. Works a treat. 
If you don't get the driver disc with it then just search for Displaylink in Google and get the latest drivers from their site. 

I was hoping it won’t need drivers being a Lenovo product (wishful thinking?!). The laptop is super locked down and there’ll be no way to download drivers to it.

debitcardmayhem

Does this yoga have a usb-c displayport?

Working_in_pyjamas

debitcardmayhem said:

Does this yoga have a usb-c displayport?

No, the only slots it has are:

•     Power/charging port
•     Ethernet port
•     2 x USB ports (will be plugging a wired mouse and wired keyboard into these but can but an adaptor with more lots)
•     HDMI port

MidlandsGlory

Working_in_pyjamas said:

[Deleted User] said:

Hi,

here's the link, [link removed to quote]

Thanks for that, much appreciated - I see there’s no HDMI slot but it says about using two screens. Does anybody know what I’d need to use two screens and NOT the laptop screen? Can I use the HDMI slot on the side of the laptop as well as using the new connectors on the docking station?

unforeseen said:

[Deleted User] said:

Hi,

here's the link, [link removed to quote]

I use one of those with my HP Elitebook. Works a treat. 
If you don't get the driver disc with it then just search for Displaylink in Google and get the latest drivers from their site. 

I was hoping it won’t need drivers being a Lenovo product (wishful thinking?!). The laptop is super locked down and there’ll be no way to download drivers to it.

My wife is working here now on her HP laptop on two screen (extended mode), the laptop is closed up and on end in a bookend. We use a USB hub that gives an extra output (HDMI) to one screen and an HDMI cable from the laptop itself to the other, works fine. The hub gives a couple more USB ports for the full size keyboard and mouse so makes hooking up easy, two cables.
Our hub connects to a small USB-C port on the laptop, but I am sure you can get ones that hook into a normal size USB 3.0 port if you have those instead. No drivers were needed (Windows 10)