Replacing desktops with laptops dual monitors question

[Velvis]

A client is interested in replacing a few aging desktops with laptops incase they want to work from home. However the current desktops all drive two large monitors. Is there an easy solution to drive 2 large monitors with a laptop without using the laptop screen?

 

[HCHTech]

Laptops always (I've never seen otherwise) have a single video output, so you'll need a dock or an external usb-connected video card to do dual monitors. Lots of choices for docks, at a wide range of prices - find one that works with their budget and include it in the quote. If they have a common setup, you may want to purchase one in advance to test the solution for them.

 

[glricht]

A client is interested in replacing a few aging desktops with laptops incase they want to work from home. However the current desktops all drive two large monitors. Is there an easy solution to drive 2 large monitors with a laptop without using the laptop screen?

Been using VGA-to-monitor adapters for quite a while and they work great. I have one client using a laptop to drive FIVE (5) monitors!

One options: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A2E1MQA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Another: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038P1TP4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Fred Claus]

if you can find a laptop that has a VGA port as well as an HDMI, you should be able to connect two monitors. Then you would set the computer up to do nothing when you close the lid that way you can use an external keyboard and mouse with the two monitors.

 

[frase]

Would need a docking station, to be precise.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Most modern laptops can actually support 3 displays, so two externals. You'll need an adapter of some sort to do it, but it almost always works.

 

[frase]

Yes laptops have HDMI output and may support VGA - varies though

 

[Blue House Computer Help]

I use a small laptop with with no HDMI or VGA ports, but it has USB-C, and I use one of these:

Amazon.co.uk : usb c docking station

Works just fine, some of them support 2 monitors. Just make sure the docking station has pass-through power if the laptop only has one USB-C Port.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Most business grade laptops support a secondary monitor....typically HDMI output on the side. Even older ones will have a VGA connection on the back or on the wide.

For the past year of COVID, with soooo many clients setting up to "work from home"...we did a few truckloads of laptops with docking stations and monitor/keyboard bundles. With new laptops having USB-C ports...these new docking stations like the Thinkpad USB-C Dock Gen2 are cheap and easy...have multiple ports on the back, easy to connect to (gone is that big bomb bay door hatch on the bottom of the laptop where you slam the laptop into the docking station).