How many people use an external monitor?

GGizmo

GGizmo

GGizmo

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I'm thinking of getting a laptop as my next big item. But I've got 2 monitors here from my current pc setup.

I've gotten used to using two monitors. It helps when playing a game to be able to view and use the desktop during a game pause.

I know it's possible to connect an external monitor. But how usual is this? Do a lot of people using a gaming laptop use an external monitor, do they just use the laptop monitor for everything?
 
BowdonUK said:
I'm thinking of getting a laptop as my next big item. But I've got 2 monitors here from my current pc setup.

I've gotten used to using two monitors. It helps when playing a game to be able to view and use the desktop during a game pause.

I know it's possible to connect an external monitor. But how usual is this? Do a lot of people using a gaming laptop use an external monitor, do they just use the laptop monitor for everything?
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I WFH a lot so my work laptop plugs into a dock which is then connected to 32" 1440p as a main screen, but also an old 1080p screen which is 'Nvidia 3DVision Ready'. So I have laptop + 2 screens, works great for me.

No different for gaming... a laptop is just a PC with an built in screen after all.
 
I would say just be careful because I have two 1080p monitors that I used for my gaming PC which was cool and then when I bought my laptop which is 1600p I plugged it in to the 1080p monitor and there is a huge problem with Word where the text kept flashing, really annoying. This happened with my other 1600p laptop I've bought since. So just be careful with different resolutions and if you want to work and use Microsoft Office / 365.
 
OnlyAlex said:
I would say just be careful because I have two 1080p monitors that I used for my gaming PC which was cool and then when I bought my laptop which is 1600p I plugged it in to the 1080p monitor and there is a huge problem with Word where the text kept flashing, really annoying. This happened with my other 1600p laptop I've bought since. So just be careful with different resolutions and if you want to work and use Microsoft Office / 365.
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I use different resolutions on mine, have zero issues.
 
BowdonUK said:
Thanks for the replies. I didn't know what a docking station was until reading the replies.
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You can often plug a least one monitor directly into the laptop and that may be best for high refresh, however I have USB docking station so it's a single cable for both data and power to the laptop including two additional screens. Everything plugs into the docking station which makes it much easier when you connect it a lot!
 
I actually went down to 1 monitor on my main desk and using a laptop (on a stand) instead of the second monitor (actually 2 laptops currently), both laptops can also be displayed on the main monitor though I only do that if working on specific tasks. If I have something fullscreen on my main PC it is handier to be able to use the laptop for displaying other stuff rather than 2 monitors on the same PC. My laptops have both a HDMI out and either DP or mini-DP out as well so no docking station or USB-C involved.
 
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As for me my gaming laptop is sometimes used for streaming so for me it is natural to have 2 external 27" monitors as well. One used for chat only (God, thanks for pivot feature) second one got full screen dedicated for obs studio and rest of streaming stuff so my laptop screen can be all the time in game or whatever I'm currently streaming. I think more than one screen is now really common and it is not depending on if You use laptop or PC, but if You need more than one monitor for what You do or not
 
darkblade said:
I have a few laptops as I work as a consultant:
Dell TB16 and TB19
Lenovo Hybrid USB-C with USB-A
HP G4 and G5
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Dell TB16s wre trash in my expirence always had issues with them. TB19s much beter exprience.

we use Dell D6000's/D6000s's in office and its what i have at home. with 2x monitors @1080
works well generally speaking, while i dont use it for heavy gaming, i do use it for light games and works really well.
Charges/Data/Video, i think it was Znet did a review on it during pandemic they were like gold dust at that time.
 
LostCorpse said:
Dell TB16s wre trash in my expirence always had issues with them. TB19s much beter exprience.

we use Dell D6000's/D6000s's in office and its what i have at home. with 2x monitors @1080
works well generally speaking, while i dont use it for heavy gaming, i do use it for light games and works really well.
Charges/Data/Video, i think it was Znet did a review on it during pandemic they were like gold dust at that time.
Click to expand...
The TB19 is definitely better than the TB16, but I didn't have too many issues with the TB16 with the laptops I used it with. I've heard that the TB16 can be very fussy with what's connected though.
 
I have several machines all connecting to an Alienware 34" monitor and a 4 way KVM switch.

1} A desktop for gaming connected directly to the monitor with display port to get 120hz But the keyboard and mouse connect via a KVM switch.

2) Personal Thinkpad T480 laptop connected through a USBC dock into the KVM switch.

3) A work HP something or other laptop connected through another USBC dock into the KVM switch.

The two laptops use a single USBC cable to connect an external keyboard, mouse, ethernet and the 34" monitor. I could leave the laptop lids open for additional screens but I don't bother. The ThinkPad will even turn on with a power button on the dock so I don't even need to open it. The single cable life into a large monitor and external keyboard and mouse is fantastic.
 
I’ve never been a laptop person, I toy with the idea hence why I’m in this forum today. I was given a works laptop last year, great for when I’m out and about and need quick access, but for the serious work, when I’m going to be on it an hour or more, it’s plugged straight into a monitor, an external keyboard and mouse
 
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