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    Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?

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    • JaredBuschJ
      JaredBusch @wrx7m
      last edited by

      @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

      @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

      I have a number of users with Dell Latitudes (various models) and docks. A few are the older dock model, but most are the new USB-C style. They do not seem to have any issues using everything.

      They all have 1 or 2 monitors (their preference) hooked to the dock and a keyboard and mouse.

      I have a single location that has HP models like this. Their docks have been problematic. Replaced one dock 3 times in a year, warranty at least.

      Do they all use the same model of monitor? I am wondering if the docks don't like the HDMI on Asus 24 inch monitors that I have been buying for several years. I bought 2 Dell 24 inch that only have DP inputs, but they haven't been in service, due to the fact that they were mounted to monitor arms and then taken off the desk by someone else and put in a corner for 6 months.

      Monitor models are all over the place. no issues with any monitors.

      I buy DP to HDMI cables from AmazonBasics to connect things as almost no monitors have a DP on them. But all of the computers and docks use DP now.

      DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • JaredBuschJ
        JaredBusch @Emad R
        last edited by

        @Emad-R said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

        @Dashrender

        Dont get laptop, get Asrock A300 pair it with NVMe SSD like 970 EVO Plus, do firmware update before you start, and get the cheapest ryzen cpu you can get the Ryzen 3 2200 and pair that with 2 monitor setups and wow

        He obviously needs a laptop and dock. Not a desktop.

        Emad RE 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • DashrenderD
          Dashrender @JaredBusch
          last edited by

          @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

          I have a number of users with Dell Latitudes (various models) and docks. A few are the older dock model, but most are the new USB-C style. They do not seem to have any issues using everything.

          They all have 1 or 2 monitors (their preference) hooked to the dock and a keyboard and mouse.

          I have a single location that has HP models like this. Their docks have been problematic. Replaced one dock 3 times in a year, warranty at least.

          It's interesting. The thread seems to mostly go the other direction, HP works well, Dell doesn't (docks at least).

          Of course, little else is actually expected.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • DashrenderD
            Dashrender @Emad R
            last edited by

            @Emad-R said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

            @Dashrender

            Dont get laptop, get Asrock A300 pair it with NVMe SSD like 970 EVO Plus, do firmware update before you start, and get the cheapest ryzen cpu you can get the Ryzen 3 2200 and pair that with 2 monitor setups and wow

            As @JaredBusch already said - a laptop is a requirement for these users. They need the ability to leave their desk and have a computer in other areas of the company.

            I mean I could give them two setups, but that raises the price even move, Though considering the cost of a dock, it's not as much as I was originally thinking it would be.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • DashrenderD
              Dashrender @JaredBusch
              last edited by

              @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

              @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

              @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

              I have a number of users with Dell Latitudes (various models) and docks. A few are the older dock model, but most are the new USB-C style. They do not seem to have any issues using everything.

              They all have 1 or 2 monitors (their preference) hooked to the dock and a keyboard and mouse.

              I have a single location that has HP models like this. Their docks have been problematic. Replaced one dock 3 times in a year, warranty at least.

              Do they all use the same model of monitor? I am wondering if the docks don't like the HDMI on Asus 24 inch monitors that I have been buying for several years. I bought 2 Dell 24 inch that only have DP inputs, but they haven't been in service, due to the fact that they were mounted to monitor arms and then taken off the desk by someone else and put in a corner for 6 months.

              Monitor models are all over the place. no issues with any monitors.

              I buy DP to HDMI cables from AmazonBasics to connect things as almost no monitors have a DP on them. But all of the computers and docks use DP now.

              You'd think so - but oddly enough, when I was looking at Dell Mini desktop units, I couldn't get a dual DP setup from my vendor.

              JaredBuschJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Emad RE
                Emad R @JaredBusch
                last edited by Emad R

                @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                @Emad-R said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                @Dashrender

                Dont get laptop, get Asrock A300 pair it with NVMe SSD like 970 EVO Plus, do firmware update before you start, and get the cheapest ryzen cpu you can get the Ryzen 3 2200 and pair that with 2 monitor setups and wow

                He obviously needs a laptop and dock. Not a desktop.

                but this thing is in between, it is not desktop, it is really mini. you can easily carry it and work in another location if you have monitor on the other location + elec.

                Plus the performance per price and modularity is better than any laptop. Sometimes a new angle is good. This is my workstation in Canada.

                DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • DashrenderD
                  Dashrender @Emad R
                  last edited by

                  @Emad-R said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                  @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                  @Emad-R said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                  @Dashrender

                  Dont get laptop, get Asrock A300 pair it with NVMe SSD like 970 EVO Plus, do firmware update before you start, and get the cheapest ryzen cpu you can get the Ryzen 3 2200 and pair that with 2 monitor setups and wow

                  He obviously needs a laptop and dock. Not a desktop.

                  but this thing is in between, it is not desktop, it is really mini. you can easily carry it and work in another location if you have monitor on the other location + elec.

                  Plus the performance per price and modularity is better than any laptop. Sometimes a new angle is good. This is my workstation in Canada.

                  LOL - I don't work at Google or Drop box where they have desks with mounted monitors anywhere for someone to simply attach to. Plus the idea of dragging a mouse and keyboard around with a desktop computer is beyond strange.

                  thanks - but a laptop is really a requirement in this case.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • 1
                    1337
                    last edited by

                    Keep in mind that you're using displayport you can run several monitors off one output.
                    Displayport is superior to hdmi anyway so always aim for DP.

                    Small cheap consumer monitors don't have displayport but all the better ones have it. There are 55 monitors with displayport to pick from Dell.

                    DashrenderD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • DashrenderD
                      Dashrender @1337
                      last edited by

                      @Pete-S said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                      Small cheap consumer monitors don't have displayport but all the better ones have it. There are 55 monitors with displayport to pick from Dell.

                      yeah, I've noticed this. yet DP normally only costs about $10 more per monitor, which is less than the $20 for the adapter when needed.

                      In my case - I'm rarely replacing monitors though. It's common that monitors will last 3 generations of deployed CPUs ( 10+ years ) before being replaced.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                      • DashrenderD
                        Dashrender @1337
                        last edited by

                        @Pete-S said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                        Keep in mind that you're using displayport you can run several monitors off one output.

                        I know this, when I first deployed some HP mini desktop machines, they only had one DP port, but I needed to drive two monitors. This was a new setup, so I had to buy everything. I purchased two DP monitors, and had to buy a DP splitter (if you will) that provided two video outputs. I tried to purchase one again, and DAMN they are crazy expensive.

                        I need to look into DP monitors that have a second port designed for daisy chaining... something I might do for this project.

                        1 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • JaredBuschJ
                          JaredBusch @Dashrender
                          last edited by

                          @Dashrender said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                          @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                          @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                          @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                          I have a number of users with Dell Latitudes (various models) and docks. A few are the older dock model, but most are the new USB-C style. They do not seem to have any issues using everything.

                          They all have 1 or 2 monitors (their preference) hooked to the dock and a keyboard and mouse.

                          I have a single location that has HP models like this. Their docks have been problematic. Replaced one dock 3 times in a year, warranty at least.

                          Do they all use the same model of monitor? I am wondering if the docks don't like the HDMI on Asus 24 inch monitors that I have been buying for several years. I bought 2 Dell 24 inch that only have DP inputs, but they haven't been in service, due to the fact that they were mounted to monitor arms and then taken off the desk by someone else and put in a corner for 6 months.

                          Monitor models are all over the place. no issues with any monitors.

                          I buy DP to HDMI cables from AmazonBasics to connect things as almost no monitors have a DP on them. But all of the computers and docks use DP now.

                          You'd think so - but oddly enough, when I was looking at Dell Mini desktop units, I couldn't get a dual DP setup from my vendor.

                          How? It has been standard for years to have dual monitor output on even the smallest form factor. It used to be VGA + HDMI, but has been dual DP for a long time now.

                          1A7762EE-25FA-47A7-AF64-AEA324CDDB12.jpeg
                          2C87F33F-489E-4DC7-B55A-A7826A03F5FE.jpeg

                          DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • DashrenderD
                            Dashrender @JaredBusch
                            last edited by

                            @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                            @Dashrender said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                            @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                            @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                            @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                            I have a number of users with Dell Latitudes (various models) and docks. A few are the older dock model, but most are the new USB-C style. They do not seem to have any issues using everything.

                            They all have 1 or 2 monitors (their preference) hooked to the dock and a keyboard and mouse.

                            I have a single location that has HP models like this. Their docks have been problematic. Replaced one dock 3 times in a year, warranty at least.

                            Do they all use the same model of monitor? I am wondering if the docks don't like the HDMI on Asus 24 inch monitors that I have been buying for several years. I bought 2 Dell 24 inch that only have DP inputs, but they haven't been in service, due to the fact that they were mounted to monitor arms and then taken off the desk by someone else and put in a corner for 6 months.

                            Monitor models are all over the place. no issues with any monitors.

                            I buy DP to HDMI cables from AmazonBasics to connect things as almost no monitors have a DP on them. But all of the computers and docks use DP now.

                            You'd think so - but oddly enough, when I was looking at Dell Mini desktop units, I couldn't get a dual DP setup from my vendor.

                            How? It has been standard for years to have dual monitor output on even the smallest form factor. It used to be VGA + HDMI, but has been dual DP for a long time now.

                            1A7762EE-25FA-47A7-AF64-AEA324CDDB12.jpeg
                            2C87F33F-489E-4DC7-B55A-A7826A03F5FE.jpeg

                            I'm only telling you what my vendor of the moment had available.... perhaps they simply didn't have stock of dual DP devices.. and instead lied ans said they didn't make them...

                            JaredBuschJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • JaredBuschJ
                              JaredBusch @Dashrender
                              last edited by

                              @Dashrender said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                              @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                              @Dashrender said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                              @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                              @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                              @JaredBusch said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                              I have a number of users with Dell Latitudes (various models) and docks. A few are the older dock model, but most are the new USB-C style. They do not seem to have any issues using everything.

                              They all have 1 or 2 monitors (their preference) hooked to the dock and a keyboard and mouse.

                              I have a single location that has HP models like this. Their docks have been problematic. Replaced one dock 3 times in a year, warranty at least.

                              Do they all use the same model of monitor? I am wondering if the docks don't like the HDMI on Asus 24 inch monitors that I have been buying for several years. I bought 2 Dell 24 inch that only have DP inputs, but they haven't been in service, due to the fact that they were mounted to monitor arms and then taken off the desk by someone else and put in a corner for 6 months.

                              Monitor models are all over the place. no issues with any monitors.

                              I buy DP to HDMI cables from AmazonBasics to connect things as almost no monitors have a DP on them. But all of the computers and docks use DP now.

                              You'd think so - but oddly enough, when I was looking at Dell Mini desktop units, I couldn't get a dual DP setup from my vendor.

                              How? It has been standard for years to have dual monitor output on even the smallest form factor. It used to be VGA + HDMI, but has been dual DP for a long time now.

                              1A7762EE-25FA-47A7-AF64-AEA324CDDB12.jpeg
                              2C87F33F-489E-4DC7-B55A-A7826A03F5FE.jpeg

                              I'm only telling you what my vendor of the moment had available.... perhaps they simply didn't have stock of dual DP devices.. and instead lied ans said they didn't make them...

                              The service tag pictured:
                              29a8e4d5-f668-4f31-bfde-de246d578072-image.png

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • notverypunnyN
                                notverypunny
                                last edited by

                                We've got a bunch (~50 or more) WD15 docks deployed. Where we've seen them be flakey is if the user has multiple monitors and several power hungry USB devices plugged into the dock. Even with the bigger power supply on the dock (there are 2 or 3 wattages available IIRC) we've had to mandate some users to use the dock's power and their laptop's AC brick at the same time.

                                I've been testing the WD19 with the 180W power and so far it's been solid for USB, network and audio. Haven't played with the video out options yet but I think it should be OK so long as all of the firmware updates have been done.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                • jmooreJ
                                  jmoore @Dashrender
                                  last edited by

                                  @Dashrender I agree DisplayPort is what you should use. No reason for hdmi here, its a lot more expensive and I'm sure you have seperate usb speakers.

                                  I have had several issues with the usb-c as well. Laptops were a mix of Latitude and Precision and Dell ultrasharp monitors.

                                  Our Surface Pro's seem to work well with our docks. I have one user with that setup I believe. She runs 2 monitors with the Surface and a dock.

                                  DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • jmooreJ
                                    jmoore @wrx7m
                                    last edited by

                                    @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                                    I have had some issues with external monitors losing signal and basically going back and forth every second.

                                    I've also had this exact issue.

                                    wrx7mW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • jmooreJ
                                      jmoore @wrx7m
                                      last edited by

                                      @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                                      Do they all use the same model of monitor? I am wondering if the docks don't like the HDMI on Asus 24 inch monitors that I have been buying for several years.

                                      My configuration has been 2 seperate Dell Ultrasharp monitors using Display port

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • S
                                        scotth
                                        last edited by

                                        I haven't checked,.... does DP do 4k?
                                        My brother wants to do a home build and he has a 4k projector.

                                        wrx7mW 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • wrx7mW
                                          wrx7m @scotth
                                          last edited by

                                          @scotth said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                                          I haven't checked,.... does DP do 4k?
                                          My brother wants to do a home build and he has a 4k projector.

                                          Yes. His 4K projector uses DP?
                                          https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/feature/digital-home/displayport-vs-hdmi-3535257/

                                          S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • wrx7mW
                                            wrx7m @jmoore
                                            last edited by

                                            @jmoore said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                                            @wrx7m said in Laptop setup - multiple monitors, etc - suggestions?:

                                            I have had some issues with external monitors losing signal and basically going back and forth every second.

                                            I've also had this exact issue.

                                            Glad it isn't just me.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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