If you have the soul of a hustler who is always in between different things, then having a dual monitor setup is probably the best solution available to meet your speed. Let’s suppose you need to analyse real-time data at two different sites, but you can’t close or minimise either of the sites on the monitor. What will you do? This is where multiple monitor setups swoop in. They let you perform multiple tasks simultaneously without putting one over the other.
Other than this, you can open a file on one monitor and do necessary calculations on the other, without the need to switch tabs again and again. You can attend your business call and read the prepared reports when you have two monitors at your disposal. We can say that having a dual monitor setup lets you cut out all limitations and explore your true potential. It’s just like having an extra hand at work. can never hurt!
Now you must be wondering, “How can you connect multiple monitors to your system? The answer is simple. Use a docking station! A docking station is a device in which a PC, laptop, smartphone, or any other device can be placed for charging or other auxiliary features. The docking station provides the extra peripheral needed for connecting multiple computer monitors to the PC.
The docking station has a number of output connectors for sending and receiving video signals between your laptop and additional monitors. In order to create a connection between these displays, you can plug your screens into the docking station and your computer or laptop into the station. This guide will give you a complete step-by-step process for setting up a docking station. Let’s get started!
1. Check compatibility
If you use a docking station, attaching two or more monitors to a computer is rather simple. But that doesn’t guarantee that all docking stations will work with your computer or the several monitors you plan to attach to it.
So, the first step is to determine if your computer and monitor are compatible with the base station or docking station. Moreover, every monitor comes with a different refresh rate and resolution. Let’s suppose you spend hundreds of bucks on getting a 4K monitor, but your docking station doesn’t support that. Sounds like a financial nightmare, right? So, the second thing is to check if the docking station supports the refresh rate and resolution of the monitor.
2. Hardware check
Hardware is important for connecting all of your devices. In order to support dual monitors, the graphics card of your monitor must have multiple ports. For instance, HDMI, VGA, etc. So, if you see more than one port at the back of your monitor, it means it can support more devices.
When this is done, check the connection mode of the respective hardware. Just like PCs and monitors, docking stations also come with multiple connectivity options. Assume you have an HDMI cable connected to your monitor. So, it’s important to buy a docking station that supports HDMI. Furthermore, checking the resolution and frequency support is also important.
3. Connect the monitors
When you have completely checked your hardware and ensured that the docking station, laptop, and computer are all compatible with each other, the next step is to connect the monitors. For these devices to work effectively, it is important to connect them in the right way.
- Plug the cable of the docking station into the power outlet.
- Plug the docking station into the laptop or PC that you want to connect.
- Connect all the appropriate video cables or ports (usually at the back of the PC) of the PC to the docking station.
- Now, connect the monitors to the power source.
- Turn on the monitors.
- Turn on the PC or laptop.
4. Adjusting the display settings
This is the most important part of setting up a docking station. Adjusting the display settings effectively is very important when using multiple monitors at the same time. If you have Windows 11 as your OS, then follow the below-mentioned guidelines to gain maximum output from your multiple monitor set-up.
- Right click on your laptop screen
- Select “Display Settings.”
- Click on the “Multiple Displays” tab.
- The laptop will automatically detect any additional devices connected to the system. If not, click on the manual detection tab and add the device yourself.
- When you see the extra monitor or when you manually add it in the “Windows Display Settings,” click on “Identify.”
- Some numbers will pop up on your screen. Line up the attached devices in the exact order that they appear on the screen of your PC.
- A drop-down menu will appear. You can click on “Extend” or “Duplicate”, (as per your choice or requirement).
After this, your dual-monitor docking station set-up is ready to roll.
What should I do if the monitor doesn’t return any signal?
8 out of 10 times, you can face the issue of the monitor showing “no signal” even when the set-up is complete. The main reason behind this is incorrect display settings. Now, this can confuse you, but just understand that you can simply change the display settings and fix the problem within a few minutes.
Firstly, check if all the cables are plugged in properly. There are many instances in which the port can get loosened and the signal can get disturbed. If this is the case, just reattach the plugs, and the issue will be solved.
If the monitor still doesn’t show any signal, then check your display settings. Ensure that the right monitor is identified in the “Windows Display Settings.” That’s all. So, as confusing as it may seem, it’s actually a piece of cake.
When the set-up is complete, it is extremely easy to divide your tasks between different monitors. Simply “drag and drop” what you want on different monitors, and the screen will readjust itself. This doesn’t even take a complete minute.
Is a docking station worth it?
Most individuals hesitate to invest in a docking station as they are usually expensive. When someone is not sure about the pros and cons of having a docking station, they might rethink their purchase decision multiple times. Here are some of the top reasons why getting a docking station is totally worth it. Have a look!
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Add more ports to your laptop
Ports and connectivity are extremely fundamental to every PC monitor. The more ports, the higher the connectivity of your device will be. Now, every manufacturer wants to make their laptop as lightweight as possible, and to do so, they are reducing the number of ports day by day. This has limited the connectivity of modern laptops.
By adding a docking station, you can add much more connectivity options to your device. You can easily attach multiple devices and connect whatever you want without worrying about ports and plugs. So, if you are someone who likes to keep everything connected to your fundamental PC monitor, then having a docking station is highly recommended for you!
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Convert laptop into an all-in-one device
Laptops are usually not considered the ideal work companion, and the primary reason behind this is their restricted connectivity and smaller screen sizes. With a docking station, not only can you turn your laptop into an ergonomic device, but you can also add a larger monitor to your workstation.
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Transition between home and work environments
When you have a docking station set up, you can easily segregate your work environment from your personal life. So many remote employees get frustrated because they are not able to separate their work lives from their personal ones. Moreover, without a proper set-up, you can also develop bad posture. So, having a distinguished set-up for your PC monitor helps give you a professional space within your home.
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Connect your old devices with outdated ports
There are many of our old devices that can no longer be connected to the PC because of outdated ports. The cables or plugs are no longer in style, and modern laptops may not connect with them. If this is the case, having a docking station is the perfect solution. You can get a docking station with the specifications and connectivity options of your choice.
Top Recommendations
If you are looking to set up a PC monitor docking station setup with multiple devices, then some of the top recommendations are listed below.
- LG 32QN600-B
- Samsung LC27G75TQSRXXU
- HP Omen: 8AC94AA#ABU
- iiyama GB2470HSU-B1
Laptop Outlet offers a highly reliable computer monitor series to its customers. All of the above-stated devices are available at their online store. These monitors come with fascinating refresh rates, brilliant resolutions, and high compatibility with different devices. All of these characteristics make them perfect for a docking station setup.
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