How to connect 2 monitors to laptop with no USB-C port

outtatune

That's an absolute entry level model.

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/sys/pdf/lenovo/lenovo_v15_iil/lenovo_v15_iil_spec.pdf

Monitor Support Supports up to 2 independent displays via native display and 1 external monitor; supports external monitor via HDMI® (up to 4096x2304@24Hz)

Which suggests that it doesn't send video out over USB 3.1.

She could use something like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-External-Video-Monitor-Adapter-Black/dp/B00H91BQ7Y

Which is essentially an external graphics card, so it needs drivers installed on the laptop. I can't see any particular reason why it wouldn't work with her laptop, but there's no guarantee, and it may affect the performance.

ButterCheese

outtatune said:

That's an absolute entry level model.

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/sys/pdf/lenovo/lenovo_v15_iil/lenovo_v15_iil_spec.pdf

Monitor Support Supports up to 2 independent displays via native display and 1 external monitor; supports external monitor via HDMI® (up to 4096x2304@24Hz)

Which suggests that it doesn't send video out over USB 3.1.

She could use something like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-External-Video-Monitor-Adapter-Black/dp/B00H91BQ7Y

Which is essentially an external graphics card, so it needs drivers installed on the laptop. I can't see any particular reason why it wouldn't work with her laptop, but there's no guarantee, and it may affect the performance.

Thank you, that's helpful.  We have already bought a laptop&Monitor dual arm stand (which is wall mounted) so I think we'll just stick with that for now.  Unless she decides that the solution is worth spending another 40 quid on!  Thanks again

ButterCheese

outtatune said:

That's an absolute entry level model.

https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/sys/pdf/lenovo/lenovo_v15_iil/lenovo_v15_iil_spec.pdf

Monitor Support Supports up to 2 independent displays via native display and 1 external monitor; supports external monitor via HDMI® (up to 4096x2304@24Hz)

Which suggests that it doesn't send video out over USB 3.1.

She could use something like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-External-Video-Monitor-Adapter-Black/dp/B00H91BQ7Y

Which is essentially an external graphics card, so it needs drivers installed on the laptop. I can't see any particular reason why it wouldn't work with her laptop, but there's no guarantee, and it may affect the performance.

Just an update in case anyone else finds it helpful.  We bought the StarTech USB to HDMI adapter linked above, and it works perfectly.  We just had to (follow the instructions) and download the driver from their website first.  We then stuck it in, hooked everything up and it works great.

outtatune

Result Glad to help!

jshm2

ButterCheese said:

I'd be grateful for some advice please:

My partner has a laptop with 1 x USB port, 2xUSB 3 ports and 1 x HDMI.  She uses lots of USB slots so already has a 1>3 USB port extender.

We want to connect 2 monitor screens to the laptop by using a dock, firstly to run the 2 screens but also to tidy everything up by plugging all the USB stuff into the dock instead of them all hanging out of the laptop.

To achieve this, am I right in assuming that I need the following:

USB A to USB C adapter

Dock

So we'd connect everything including the 2 monitors to the dock, and then connect the dock to the laptop via the USB A to USB C adapter?  And that would use the USB3.0 (labelled SS) port on the latop?

Many thanks,

Check the monitors. As some of the newer models will let you daisy chain monitor to monitor. So you need plug in one to the laptop HDMI. 

Also check if you have a VGA port on the laptop, then a VGA to HDMI cable will sort that. 

Some models of monitors also let you cast wireless display. But a simple trick is to just plug in your old Chromecast and go wireless that way on older monitors.

As for your solution. Most docks will require a proper USB-C port, as a standard USB 3 port does not provide the same voltage or functionality. You may need to get a powered dock - which can get pricey. 

Also, it reads like you've a lot plugged into your laptop as it is. 

outtatune

jshm2 said:

ButterCheese said:

I'd be grateful for some advice please:

My partner has a laptop with 1 x USB port, 2xUSB 3 ports and 1 x HDMI.  She uses lots of USB slots so already has a 1>3 USB port extender.

We want to connect 2 monitor screens to the laptop by using a dock, firstly to run the 2 screens but also to tidy everything up by plugging all the USB stuff into the dock instead of them all hanging out of the laptop.

To achieve this, am I right in assuming that I need the following:

USB A to USB C adapter

Dock

So we'd connect everything including the 2 monitors to the dock, and then connect the dock to the laptop via the USB A to USB C adapter?  And that would use the USB3.0 (labelled SS) port on the latop?

Many thanks,

Check the monitors. As some of the newer models will let you daisy chain monitor to monitor. So you need plug in one to the laptop HDMI. 

Also check if you have a VGA port on the laptop, then a VGA to HDMI cable will sort that. 

Some models of monitors also let you cast wireless display. But a simple trick is to just plug in your old Chromecast and go wireless that way on older monitors.

As for your solution. Most docks will require a proper USB-C port, as a standard USB 3 port does not provide the same voltage or functionality. You may need to get a powered dock - which can get pricey. 

Also, it reads like you've a lot plugged into your laptop as it is. 

Daisy chaining multiple outputs over HDMI is not a thing. You are confusing DisplayPort for HDMI. 

You can get  digital signage screens that have HDMI out; those are for displaying the same content on multiple screens.

jshm2

outtatune said:

jshm2 said:

ButterCheese said:

I'd be grateful for some advice please:

My partner has a laptop with 1 x USB port, 2xUSB 3 ports and 1 x HDMI.  She uses lots of USB slots so already has a 1>3 USB port extender.

We want to connect 2 monitor screens to the laptop by using a dock, firstly to run the 2 screens but also to tidy everything up by plugging all the USB stuff into the dock instead of them all hanging out of the laptop.

To achieve this, am I right in assuming that I need the following:

USB A to USB C adapter

Dock

So we'd connect everything including the 2 monitors to the dock, and then connect the dock to the laptop via the USB A to USB C adapter?  And that would use the USB3.0 (labelled SS) port on the latop?

Many thanks,

Check the monitors. As some of the newer models will let you daisy chain monitor to monitor. So you need plug in one to the laptop HDMI. 

Also check if you have a VGA port on the laptop, then a VGA to HDMI cable will sort that. 

Some models of monitors also let you cast wireless display. But a simple trick is to just plug in your old Chromecast and go wireless that way on older monitors.

As for your solution. Most docks will require a proper USB-C port, as a standard USB 3 port does not provide the same voltage or functionality. You may need to get a powered dock - which can get pricey. 

Also, it reads like you've a lot plugged into your laptop as it is. 

Daisy chaining multiple outputs over HDMI is not a thing. You are confusing DisplayPort for HDMI. 

You can get  digital signage screens that have HDMI out; those are for displaying the same content on multiple screens.

You're confused. DELL and HP monitors have had the functionality for a while 

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/how-to-daisy-chain-monitors

outtatune

jshm2 said:

outtatune said:

jshm2 said:

ButterCheese said:

I'd be grateful for some advice please:

My partner has a laptop with 1 x USB port, 2xUSB 3 ports and 1 x HDMI.  She uses lots of USB slots so already has a 1>3 USB port extender.

We want to connect 2 monitor screens to the laptop by using a dock, firstly to run the 2 screens but also to tidy everything up by plugging all the USB stuff into the dock instead of them all hanging out of the laptop.

To achieve this, am I right in assuming that I need the following:

USB A to USB C adapter

Dock

So we'd connect everything including the 2 monitors to the dock, and then connect the dock to the laptop via the USB A to USB C adapter?  And that would use the USB3.0 (labelled SS) port on the latop?

Many thanks,

Check the monitors. As some of the newer models will let you daisy chain monitor to monitor. So you need plug in one to the laptop HDMI. 

Also check if you have a VGA port on the laptop, then a VGA to HDMI cable will sort that. 

Some models of monitors also let you cast wireless display. But a simple trick is to just plug in your old Chromecast and go wireless that way on older monitors.

As for your solution. Most docks will require a proper USB-C port, as a standard USB 3 port does not provide the same voltage or functionality. You may need to get a powered dock - which can get pricey. 

Also, it reads like you've a lot plugged into your laptop as it is. 

Daisy chaining multiple outputs over HDMI is not a thing. You are confusing DisplayPort for HDMI. 

You can get  digital signage screens that have HDMI out; those are for displaying the same content on multiple screens.

You're confused. DELL and HP monitors have had the functionality for a while 

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/how-to-daisy-chain-monitors

Your own link makes it clear that
To successfully daisy chain monitors, you will need to use DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) technology

For HDMI it refers to HDMI pass through which only allows you to send the same source to all the screens.