laptop dual mode?


Alexey2912

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Hi,

What devices would I require to make my laptop connected to an external monitor?

1. Monitor.
2. Keyboard and mouse.
3. speakers.
4. HDMI cable.

Care to add...

Thanks.
 
Windows Build/Version
21H2.22000.593

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).core i7 11th gen16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron i5 5510
    CPU
    core i7 11th gen
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    16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 NVMe
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    Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse – KM7321W
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    Edifier speakers. (Thanks to @Edwin).
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    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channelNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
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    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    XPS Special Edition
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor
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    32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Hdmi cable, and an external monitor. You could add a wireless keyboard/mouse
If the monitor doesn't have inbuilt speakers than you will need them.
 

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Hdmi cable, and an external monitor. You could add a wireless keyboard/mouse

Care to suggest brands?

Multi usb charger?

Thanks.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).core i7 11th gen16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron i5 5510
    CPU
    core i7 11th gen
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 NVMe
    Keyboard
    Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse – KM7321W
    Browser
    Brave.
    Other Info
    Edifier speakers. (Thanks to @Edwin).
  • At a glance

    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channelNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Operating System
    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    XPS Special Edition
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor
    Memory
    32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Yes

If you do not want to use the ones on the laptop.

Yes.
Also. depending on how many monitors, a special dock.

Single 27inch monitor.

Care to share a e.g. for a special dock?

Thanks.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).core i7 11th gen16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron i5 5510
    CPU
    core i7 11th gen
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 NVMe
    Keyboard
    Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse – KM7321W
    Browser
    Brave.
    Other Info
    Edifier speakers. (Thanks to @Edwin).
  • At a glance

    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channelNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Operating System
    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    XPS Special Edition
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor
    Memory
    32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Would 1 monitor function at a time?

And while using the desktop , laptop's lid be closed?

Thanks.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).core i7 11th gen16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron i5 5510
    CPU
    core i7 11th gen
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 NVMe
    Keyboard
    Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse – KM7321W
    Browser
    Brave.
    Other Info
    Edifier speakers. (Thanks to @Edwin).
  • At a glance

    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channelNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Operating System
    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    XPS Special Edition
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor
    Memory
    32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Would 1 monitor function at a time?

And while using the desktop , laptop's lid be closed?

Thanks.
Leaving the lid up will help in the cooling of your laptop while in use.
 

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    Windows 11 ProAMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D32GB DDR5 CL30 Kingston FuryASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Edition 16GB
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    Windows 11 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO B850-P Wifi
    Memory
    32GB DDR5 CL30 Kingston Fury
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Edition 16GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Ultrawide 34" + LG 27" 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Main Boot Drive : 512GB Adata XPG RGB Gen3x4 NVMe M.2 SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 750 Watts 80+ Gold
    Case
    Deepcool Genome II
    Cooling
    Thermalright Burst Assassin 120
    Internet Speed
    1Gbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    "Moderna"
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    Windows 11 Proi7-4790K16GB Corsair Vengeance ProMSI R9 290
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-4790K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Xtreme6 Z97
    Memory
    16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI R9 290
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Ultrawide 34"
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    500GB Adata SSD (OS Only)
    PSU
    Thermaltake 475 Watts 80 Bronze
    Case
    Thermaltake Commander I Snow Edition
    Cooling
    Deep Cool Archer Air Cooler
    Keyboard
    Armageddon MKA-5R RGB-Hornet
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    1Gbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Moderna :)
Care to share a e.g. for a special dock?
Do not need one if using one monitor. Just plug it into the HDMI.
Is this an actual computer or a TV. Many TV's do not have a good resolution for text.
 

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Windows 10
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Windows 10
Assuming the laptop has an HDMI output....

Also, leaving the lid open on the laptop you can either duplicate monitors, extend, or select a single monitor either the built-in display or the external monitor.
 

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    Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT32GBEVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
    OS
    Windows 11
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
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    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
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    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
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    Windows 11 EducationIntel i7-8550U32GBNvidia Geforce MX150
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Do not need one if using one monitor. Just plug it into the HDMI.
Is this an actual computer or a TV. Many TV's do not have a good resolution for text.

It's a desktop monitor.

Can a TV be used as a external monitor, if yes which is a good brand and what should be it's specs?

Thanks.
 

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  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).core i7 11th gen16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron i5 5510
    CPU
    core i7 11th gen
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 NVMe
    Keyboard
    Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse – KM7321W
    Browser
    Brave.
    Other Info
    Edifier speakers. (Thanks to @Edwin).
  • At a glance

    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channelNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Operating System
    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    XPS Special Edition
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor
    Memory
    32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 CanaryAMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX32GBNVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
OS
Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
CPU
AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
Memory
32GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
Hard Drives
1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
Thunderbolt dock will work with a single USB-C cable (if your laptop supports such use, and it should if it's 3 years old or newer) and provide support for keyboard, mouse, monitor, storage and more -- including charging. I strongly recommend buying a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 rated cable for such use to avoid restricting bandwidth in use. I plunked ?US$48? (somewhere in that cost range) down for a Thunderbolt 4 cable and it makes all the difference in the world. I've had best luck with Belkin and Anker docks personally, but I read great things about the CalDigit Element hub. Here's a link to a good representative review from this year: The best Thunderbolt docks for your laptop in 2022.
HTH,
--Ed--

PS: I've got my wife's SFF Dell Optiplex 7080 Micro (10th gen i-7/integrated GPU/ hooked up to keyboard, mouse, monitor, and storage) hooked up using a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 hub and it works like a champ for her. Ran a Lenovo X12 Hybrid Tablet in similar wise for 6 months and it likewise worked great, and did get the benefit of USB-C charging plus all the other stuff.
 

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    Windows 11i7-8650U (8th Gen/Kaby Lake)16 GBIntel UHD Graphics 620
    OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
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    Lenovo X380 Yoga
    CPU
    i7-8650U (8th Gen/Kaby Lake)
    Motherboard
    20LH000MUS (U3E1)
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Integrated Conexant SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    FlexView Display
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 1 TB PCIe x3 NVMe SSD
    external 5TB Seagate USB-C attached HDD
    PSU
    Lenovo integrated 65W power brick
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    Laptop
    Keyboard
    Integrated Lenovo ThinkPad keyboard
    Mouse
    touchscreen, touchpad
    Internet Speed
    GbE (Spectrum/Charter)
    Browser
    all of em
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Purchased early 2019 as Windows Insider test PC
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    Windows 11Ryzen 5800X128 GB (4x32 DDR5-5600)NVIDIA 3070Ti
    Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY
    CPU
    Ryzen 5800X
    Motherboard
    Asrock B550 Extreme4
    Memory
    128 GB (4x32 DDR5-5600)
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA 3070Ti
    Sound Card
    built-in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2xDell 2707
    Screen Resolution
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    Seasonic 650
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    NZXT Flo 6
    Cooling
    dual-fan air cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech Logi
    Internet Speed
    GbE
    Browser
    all of 'em
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    temperamental UEFI
Thunderbolt dock will work with a single USB-C cable (if your laptop supports such use, and it should if it's 3 years old or newer) and provide support for keyboard, mouse, monitor, storage and more -- including charging. I strongly recommend buying a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 rated cable for such use to avoid restricting bandwidth in use. I plunked ?US$48? (somewhere in that cost range) down for a Thunderbolt 4 cable and it makes all the difference in the world. I've had best luck with Belkin and Anker docks personally, but I read great things about the CalDigit Element hub. Here's a link to a good representative review from this year: The best Thunderbolt docks for your laptop in 2022.
HTH,
--Ed--

PS: I've got my wife's SFF Dell Optiplex 7080 Micro (10th gen i-7/integrated GPU/ hooked up to keyboard, mouse, monitor, and storage) hooked up using a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 hub and it works like a champ for her. Ran a Lenovo X12 Hybrid Tablet in similar wise for 6 months and it likewise worked great, and did get the benefit of USB-C charging plus all the other stuff.

Thanks, appreciate your expert advice.
Best regards!
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).core i7 11th gen16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (26200.8457).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron i5 5510
    CPU
    core i7 11th gen
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 NVMe
    Keyboard
    Dell Premier Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse – KM7321W
    Browser
    Brave.
    Other Info
    Edifier speakers. (Thanks to @Edwin).
  • At a glance

    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channelNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Operating System
    W11 25H2 (26200.7840)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    XPS Special Edition
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel® Core i7-11700 processor
    Memory
    32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 2933 MHz, dual channel
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
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