How to connect 3 monitors to a laptop docking station – Getting Started
When it comes to the question of connecting 3 external monitors, most people choose to go with the docking station as it gives easy access to building a set up of the multi-monitor laptop.
Using such a setup is simple, clean, and functional.
Furthermore, the docking station comes as a perfect device to connect multiple monitors.
In this article, you will come to know about the steps for connecting 3 external monitors to a laptop docking station.
But, before we dive further into the topic, have a look at the definition of a docking station and its purpose.
What is a docking station?
The docking station refers to the device that allows multiple peripherals and accessories of the computer to get connected to the laptop.
The entire setup works with the use of a single connection point. The docking station will give the laptop access to multiple devices.
The devices that fall under this connection are monitors, printers, audio devices, mouse, and keyboards. You can connect all these accessories to the station and then access it by laptop.
You can effortlessly connect and disconnect the laptop at times from the docking station with the help of just a single connection cable.
Popularly referred to as the docking port, the cable then allows the laptop to function as a desktop computer. It will also maintain the mobility of the laptop. Overall, the setup becomes a multi-monitor.
Things you must consider before building the setup
Most Windows laptops are not supportive of dual monitors. But for adding more than two, it’s essential to check a few parameters.
1. You must check the graphic card. A graphic card that can support multiple monitors will only fulfill the objective.
Every graphic card usually comes with only two outputs. You must check the properties on the graphic cards and also the manufacturer’s instructions.
Checking the specifications will ensure that it will favor the connection of multiple devices. In case you find that the graphics card fails to meet the objective, it is essential to install another.
2. You must check the ports available on the laptop. Usually, the computer or laptop comes inclusive of a display port, digital video interface, video graphics array, and high-definition multimedia interface ports.
While checking, you must pay attention to the fact that the laptop and monitors should have all four corresponding ports.
That said, let’s have a look at the steps regarding ‘how to connect 3 monitors to a laptop docking station.
Step 1. Observe the ports
Before shoving the wires on the docking of the laptop, it’s good to observe the ports that you need.
While examining the sides of the device, you can see more than one port. If you see that there are only two ports, it means that the device is capable of sending and receiving the signal.
Even if there is only one port on the laptop, you can extend the functionality. For that, you have to flip the side of the laptop and immediately pop out the back cover to check the available slots.
They must be fit for the extra video card. For building the setup, you must have a laptop that will allow the extension of the functionality.
With the help of a docking station, the multimedia mode compatibility will allow the connection of the three different monitors to the docking station for the laptop.
Step 2. Customize Video Card
In this step, you have to customize the video card settings.
When you have 3 ports, it might happen that you cannot see how to connect the ports on simultaneous grounds.
So, you have to check the compatibility of the video card for displaying multiple monitors.
The quickest procedure is to directly plug in the monitor and then click on the start menu. Here, you have to type “display to change the display settings.
The display setting window will show you that multiple displays are popping up with some disabled options. Some of them will be set at the primary display, while some others as a secondary display.
Now you have to click on the advanced display settings available at the bottom of the window. If you want to check the number of monitors connected to the graphics card, it’s mandatory to look at the number of different monitors plugged in.
Step 3. Open display manager
In this step, you have to check the settings of the graphics card. For that, go to the display manager and open it.
A window will appear where you have to note the model number and the manufacturer specifications of the graphics card.
Now you have to search for the multi-display or graphics card with the multi-monitor. There are some alternative techniques, like display link setup.
Step 4. Connect to the docking station
This is the last step in the whole process, where you’ve to connect the three different monitors to the laptop docking.
For that, you’ll require extra equipment, namely the USB Display adaptor. Now you can connect the USB port and the display adapter to the laptop docking.
The handy device comes along with an adapter. The type is DVI or VGA. It is dependent upon the requirement for connection with the monitor.
Summing it up
In this entire procedure, video card capability plays a major role. Moreover, the total number of available ports also builds a progressive approach.
Do follow the steps mentioned above for connecting the 3 monitors to a laptop docking station.