Laptops Thunderbolt Question

[Coach]

So I have 2 questions that I am hopeful that someone can assist me on what I hope to accomplish. I probably know the answer to my own question based on my own research, but want to double check, since I am not quite familiar with this.

Background: A buddy of mine has a laptop (Lenovo T480 Model) for work. Currently he is using a laptop screen and the HDMI port for one external monitor. This buddy wants to see if he can use another monitor. He has researched that the laptop graphics is Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620.

On the laptop, it does have 1 HDMI (which is currently in use for 1 monitor as mentioned above) on the right side (see #8 on the image below).

On the left side of the laptop, it has a "thunderbolt" symbol (#4 on the image below) - which is not currently in use for anything. Further research shows that it has 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type C and 1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type C/Intel Thunderbolt 3.



The 1st question is: Can he use the thunderbolt port to utilize for an 2nd monitor?

Research shows Lenovo's website for this model can support up to 3 monitors (2 external monitors and the laptop - which is the accomplished goal).

The 2nd question applies if the 1st question is "YES": Is it better to get a cord with a male connection to the thunderbolt and a male connection HDMI to the monitor, or to get a male connection to the thunderbolt and a female connection HDMI (adapter), and connect the HDMI cords together?

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Fish

Dude... That is just a Lenovo dock with Thunderbolt ports on it. That's not required for this laptop. The laptop already has a Thunderbolt port. That's what port (4) is on the side of the laptop. Dock is not necessary.

He said dual monitors and a 3rd as his screen. This model has an HDMI port only so that is only one screen and the laptop screen itself, so for a 3rd screen, he needs a docking station.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Fish

The dock might be worthless. But that's irrelevant. You're not understanding...

Take a HDMI to DVI/HDMI/Displayport cable, connect it to port 8 on this Lenovo T480, and connect to external monitor #1.

Take a USB-C to DVI/HDMI/Displayport cable, connect it to port 4 on this Lenovo T480, and connect external monitor #2.

Done. 3 displays.

Ok that will actually work! Forgive me! Did not see that - please forgive me!

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Stryker

Ok that will actually work! Forgive me! Did not see that - please forgive me!

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by Fish

You just schooled me sir and I am actually very grateful! Live to learn! Awesome!

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by Stryker

Look at it... it is a BRICK! They have a high failure rate - I KNOW this.

https://www.123securityproducts.com/...AaAitPEALw_wcB

What I am saying from experience, they are a piece of shit! It is not worth $320!

**** spending that much for a docking station. A basic Amazon brand one works just fine.

If you would have talked about how flimsy USB-C ports are in general, you woulda had me.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Stryker

He said dual monitors and a 3rd as his screen. This model has an HDMI port only so that is only one screen and the laptop screen itself, so for a 3rd screen, he needs a docking station.

I believe Fish has explained it to you, so we're good there. I did say "Research shows Lenovo's website for this model can support up to 3 monitors (2 external monitors and the laptop - which is the accomplished goal)."

Perhaps I should have worded it better, but basically, he wants to do two external monitors with the 3rd monitor from his laptop when he has to do conference video calls.

That's what I was wanting to know.

I just need to find out what cord that will work because the #4 image that I showed has like two slots, and I am unsure which one I need, specifically (the number 4 is right at one of the slot, but I wonder what is the slot to the right of that one. That's the confusing part.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Coach

I believe Fish has explained it to you, so we're good there. I did say "Research shows Lenovo's website for this model can support up to 3 monitors (2 external monitors and the laptop - which is the accomplished goal)."

Perhaps I should have worded it better, but basically, he wants to do two external monitors with the 3rd monitor from his laptop when he has to do conference video calls.

That's what I was wanting to know.

I just need to find out what cord that will work because the #4 image that I showed has like two slots, and I am unsure which one I need, specifically (the number 4 is right at one of the slot, but I wonder what is the slot to the right of that one. That's the confusing part.

What you need to connect to port 4 is a USB-C male at the laptop side, to whatever the monitor input will support. That totally depends on the specific monitor. If you tell me the exact model of monitor, I could tell you the exact adapter you would need.

You will need one of these 3 depending on monitor input:

USB-C to DVI: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+...l_35tziq6fkh_e

USB-C to HDMI: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb%2Fc+t...l_9lzcp1wc3f_e

USB-C to Displayport: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+...f=nb_sb_noss_1

If you tell me what inputs the external monitor has, I can tell you exactly what you need.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Fish

What you need to connect to port 4 is a USB-C male at the laptop side, to whatever the monitor input will support. That totally depends on the specific monitor. If you tell me the exact model of monitor, I could tell you the exact adapter you would need.

You will need one of these 3 depending on monitor input:

USB-C to DVI: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+...l_35tziq6fkh_e

USB-C to HDMI: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb%2Fc+t...l_9lzcp1wc3f_e

USB-C to Displayport: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=usb-c+to+...f=nb_sb_noss_1

If you tell me what inputs the external monitor has, I can tell you exactly what you need.

Edited - just checked, it's a 24", not a 27". Both external monitors will be Samsung 24" Curved Monitor. I know for a fact that the HDMI one (that he is currently using) is working.

This is the monitor.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Otter]

Getting a little off topic and the question looks like it has already been answered but I'd recommend considering building a good desktop.

Sounds like he's trying to make a racing car out of a Prius. Unless constant mobility is the issue that would be my advice and you can't take monitors with you so why not?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Otter

Getting a little off topic and the question looks like it has already been answered but I'd recommend considering building a good desktop.

Sounds like he's trying to make a racing car out of a Prius. Unless constant mobility is the issue that would be my advice and you can't take monitors with you so why not?

It's a laptop issued by work. No docking station. It's not for a desktop.

He just needs to utilize some screen real estate for dealing with multiple spreadsheets.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Coach

It's a laptop issued by work. No docking station. It's not for a desktop.

He just needs to utilize some screen real estate for dealing with multiple spreadsheets.

OK, not the approach I would take but that does make more sense.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Coach

Both external monitors will be Samsung 27" Curved Monitor. I know for a fact that the HDMI one (that he is currently using) is working.

This is the monitor.
https://www.connection.com/product/s...90fhn/32224527

Perfect. OK, so that monitor has 1 VGA input, and 1 HDMI input. VGA is old and slow and limited in video resolution, so we will want to connect via HDMI. We'll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.

This will work for monitor #2: https://www.amazon.com/Updated-Versi...ef=sr_1_2_sspa

Monitor #1 will just need a regular HDMI to HDMI cable.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Otter

OK, not the approach I would take but that does make more sense.

Yeah, I know. If he was doing this as a personal route, then yeah, I would have suggested to get a good desktop to maximize that.

But since it is work issued laptop, he's tired of utilizing the small assed laptop screen while working on one of the external monitor.

That's why he asked me if there was a way to get a 2nd monitor and if I had any extras, since I gave him one of my old monitors (the link that I provided to Fish).

Since I have 2 extra ones (that matches the one I gave him previously) laying around that I don't need, I was going to give him one of that, and I just needed to confirm my thoughts that his laptop is capable of handling two external monitors.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Fish

Perfect. OK, so that monitor has 1 VGA input, and 1 HDMI input. VGA is old and slow and limited in video resolution, so we will want to connect via HDMI. We'll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.

This will work for monitor #2: https://www.amazon.com/Updated-Versi...ef=sr_1_2_sspa

Monitor #1 will just need a regular HDMI to HDMI cable.

Since his laptop didn't have any VGA connection, that was ruled out immediately (plus you are correct that VGA is old and slow and limited, so I was going to rule that one out anyways if his laptop did actually have one to begin with).

Okay, thanks for the link brother. I appreciate it. And yes, Monitor #1 is already connected as a regular HDMI to HDMI cable, so we're good on that one. Just needed to confirm my research and find what part I need to enable the 2nd monitor.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Coach

Since his laptop didn't have any VGA connection, that was ruled out immediately (plus you are correct that VGA is old and slow and limited, so I was going to rule that one out anyways if his laptop did actually have one to begin with).

Okay, thanks for the link brother. I appreciate it. And yes, Monitor #1 is already connected as a regular HDMI to HDMI cable, so we're good on that one. Just needed to confirm my research and find what part I need to enable the 2nd monitor.

Yeah, bud. 99.99999% confident that adapter will do exactly what you're wanting.