# Help Setting Up Dual Monitors w/Work Laptop **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [December 11, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623 "2025-12-11T21:38:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/41 "2025-12-12T17:43:13Z")
At work there are two cables going into the laptop. One thunderbolt and one HDMI. They are connected from the dock via HDMI to each monitor. I finally understand. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/42 "2025-12-12T17:52:33Z")
I don’t. 😆 You have two cables going from your laptop to a dock, one hdmi and the other usb C, and then the dock has two hdmi cables between it and the monitors? Or something else? And how do you use other peripherals (mouse, headphone, keyboard…) at work? ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/43 "2025-12-12T17:56:16Z")
I read the first bunch of posts and then skipped most of it. I get the issue and had a similar problem myself. The main issue is the new gaming monitors only have 1x DisplayPort ports and you need that for the gaming PC. So you need a way to connect the laptop to both screens via HDMI. The downside here being that HDMI costs money to license so manufacturers like to only put one HDMI slot on their docks to save a buck. If it was me, I’d get a USB-C adapter to transcode to HDMI then use that and the native HDMI port to run HDMI to both monitors. DP from the gaming PC to both monitors. $30 USB hub to flip inputs between both PCs. The downside is you need to manual flip the monitors between devices (unless CEC is miraculously smart) but the upside is this costs like $50. (The reason to do it from the work laptop is because adapters to transcode at HDMI 1.4b are much cheaper and using the work laptop at 1440p@60 is better than limiting the gaming PC to that.) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/44 "2025-12-12T17:57:28Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > You have two cables going from your laptop to a dock, one hdmi and the other usb C, and then the dock has two hdmi cables between it and the monitors? Or something else? Okay. Work setup. 1 laptop. Two monitors. Each monitor has an HDMI port that is connected to the thunderbolt dock. The thunderbolt dock has two outputs: one thunderbolt cable and one HDMI cable. The thunderbolt cable is plugged into the thunderbolt port of the laptop and the HDMI cable is plugged into the HDMI port of the laptop. I have no idea how mouse and keyboard work but they must just be plugged into the dock. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/45 "2025-12-12T18:04:01Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > DP from the gaming PC to both monitors. Can’t. Only one DP port and one HDMI port on the PC. I think this is what I gotta do. I’m feeling good about this plan. PC setup: DP to DP on monitor 1. HDMI to HDMI on monitor 2. Easy. Laptop setup: HDMI on monitor 1 to thunderbolt dock to thunderbolt port on laptop. HDMI on monitor 2 to thunderbolt dock to HDMI port on laptop. (This is the exact setup at work. It has to work!) Peripherals: One switch with 4 USB. Bluetooth speaker. See post #39 for what I think I need to buy. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/46 "2025-12-12T18:10:36Z")
What GPU is in your Lenovo Legion T5 26AMR5? The 6500 XT? But it doesn’t really change much. You can do native HDMI 2.0 instead from your GPU and still hit what you need. You don’t need a $200 dock to convert the USB-c Thunderbolt DP to HDMI here. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/47 "2025-12-12T18:16:02Z")
AMD Ryzen 7 5700 G with Radeon graphics. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/48 "2025-12-12T18:16:49Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > You can do native HDMI 2.0 instead from your GPU and still hit what you need. How? I only have one HDMI port on the PC, and I need it for one monitor. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/49 "2025-12-12T18:19:55Z")
If your gaming PC doesn’t have a GPU, that’s a bigger issue here. Try this for me: Start Menu → Search for “System Information” That’ll bring up a window with System Summary on the left. Follow that tree through:Components - Display and then what it says on the right pane under name or adapter type. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/50 "2025-12-12T18:23:17Z")
Or if you’re not able to turn it on right now, you could look behind it and see if there is a second set of ports where area 10 is highlighted at the top of this document: [https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/Legion/Lenovo\_Legion\_T5\_26AMR5/Lenovo\_Legion\_T5\_26AMR5\_Spec.pdf](https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/Legion/Lenovo_Legion_T5_26AMR5/Lenovo_Legion_T5_26AMR5_Spec.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/51 "2025-12-12T18:24:44Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > That’ll bring up a window with System Summary on the left. Follow that tree through:Components - Display and then what it says on the right pane under name or adapter type. Adapter type: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/52 "2025-12-12T18:28:35Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > Or if you’re not able to turn it on right now, you could look behind it and see if there is a second set of ports where area 10 is highlighted at the top of this document: How about I take a picture? [[Album] The back of my PC ![](https://i.imgur.com/99Ev6Pp.jpeg?fb "The back of my PC") ](https://imgur.com/a/4K8dESp) The thing plugged in right now is a DP cable. The thing next to it is HDMI. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/53 "2025-12-12T18:38:21Z")
The GeForce GTX 1660. I should’ve known. Thank you for the photo. Definitely the best way to help. Anyway, you don’t need that thunderbolt dock. Just get a USB-c to HDMI adapter. [This one](https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Aluminum-Portable-Supports-Pixelbook/dp/B07THJGZ9Z?crid=2ICCVN447J74R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lzArWb11gOyfpyswpaVTveAH3UbNbloJYi-k2cWKS6LoLg495AkGwYoe7X1aPMWeInTgLmO4NaXfGv_sV00i6BV-D6azCFpaeDW5b4DzLa_HGg-2xN7Usu6iImLb3Y87CDV0bqdArxo7q_W1vcTs6zq7Stogkm699GUsWCczL6WMLzoyxqhgejKsYfD0JZRwcD5hd1ujjmex3NR9l6Jmv-ahNoVDRHvExA5lBEO4DAp3gY70jJ86la1YhBp8GikhVE7Bv0Nlwh6cyxYieubL3TCYucfu0JlpdMqSK4lcOss.IZnHet1zQAeD1kB_ZgL3U_vvVcHuBBE6X8vR4iIA-38&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb-c+to+hdmi&qid=1765564412&sprefix=usb-c+to+hdmi%252Caps%252C132&sr=8-8) is $16 Canadian. That’s nearly $190 you can put towards a new GPU. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/54 "2025-12-12T18:47:09Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > That’s nearly $190 you can put towards a new GPU. LOL. > [@Palooka](#): > > Just get a USB-c to HDMI adapter. Please spell this out for me. What’s the configuration? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/55 "2025-12-12T18:49:25Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > The main issue is the new gaming monitors only have 1x DisplayPort ports and you need that for the gaming PC. To clarify, no. The PC itself has only one display port and one HDMI port. Two ports total. So the only way to hook up the monitors is 1 HDMI to monitor 1 and 1 DP to monitor 2. Then I’m out of ports! (For video anyway. There are USBs back there.) Each monitor has 1 DP and two HDMI. The laptop has one HDMI, one thunderbolt 3 and some USB 3.0s. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/56 "2025-12-12T18:51:45Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Please spell this out for me. What’s the configuration? The $49 gadget i posted above does USB-C to HDMI. And also gives you a couple of USB A ports and some other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/57 "2025-12-12T18:52:22Z")
Gaming PC: PC HDMI → 1st Monitor HDMI PC DisplayPort → 2nd Monitor DisplayPort Laptop: PC HDMI → 1st Monitor, second HDMI port. PC USB-c → Adapter → 2nd Monitor HDMI The Gaming PC is configured for both displays at 1440p@144Hz. The laptop is both displays at 1440p@60Hz. (This is where you’re saving money vs 144Hz for both via a KVM or dock.) Keyboard 'n stuff: USB Hub with an A/B switch to toggle between devices. I use [this one](https://www.amazon.ca/UGREEN-Computers-Peripheral-Switcher-One-Button/dp/B01N6GD9JO?crid=2USR3MCASWT4X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K9I6Q3dpdDR-m2dunyc7PUJnoHyM3ya8n9o6LFmHnk41OAgwSTkOf_kI1RPvHt5C5PS_MBhZqUhXu2Jfw7WUG5vwJ0-vFhrfPvdy8yXgqIlFaW6ysq57G6xP9BQoG9P8qOulpWdOIa8SvBWGNUCHGtflzP7mnpTotMpbem3vFIYC8YzNLLDM6t2Omej1bCpW2MbLwhrTnIPnAXT5gxQ3rwtxsfX65ssxqGfAOCPAobV5Ccc--xOkOmLCs98mAJcdjJhnaPFEAEnIj9vbQuTMf85DXgfBLPAnop0JA2I327Q.jJFNBFwZ1VbxycIv0DDIbnwd21PG5x5es4Ln1eAZmXw&dib_tag=se&keywords=ugreen+usb+hub&qid=1765565462&sprefix=ugreen+usb+hub%252Caps%252C138&sr=8-49), but many options exist if you need more ports. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/58 "2025-12-12T18:54:29Z")
Okay, I think I get it! Thank you. That is much cheaper! I’ll let you know how it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623/59 "2025-12-14T20:11:43Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > Laptop: > PC HDMI → 1st Monitor, second HDMI port. > PC USB-c → Adapter → 2nd Monitor HDMI Tested today for proof of concept - it works! You saved me money. For some reason Monitor 1 auto-detects HDMI but you have to manually set the HDMI to c converter on Monitor 2. It turns out I need longer cables though, lol. The laptop stand no longer fits on my desk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623.md?page=2)