Dual monitors and docking station training video

Dual monitors and docking station training video. Recorded 12.11.2020. Basic overview of setting up and configuring laptop with dual monitors and docking station.

Setup shown in this video includes dual Dell P-series 24" monitors, Planar dual monitor stand, Dell WD19TB dock, Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse, power strip, and associated cords.

[CompTechMike]

Wow! I didn't expect my simple training video to take off. If I had known how popular it would get I would have used a tripod, LOL. Thanks for all the views and likes! As I mentioned in the description, this video shows some of the setup process and configuration of a Dell business laptop (Precision model, very similar to a Latitude-series) connected to a WD19TB docking station, dual 24" monitors on a Planar monitor stand (connected to the dock via DisplayPort cables and USB cables to activate the USB ports on the monitors), a Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse combo, and briefly discusses some config of these devices.

While no video can cover all the possible combinations of hardware available, this is a pretty standard business-class setup in today's "work from home" environment. Hope my video has been helpful to people, feel free to drop any questions in the comments. Thanks!

[Coatomc]

John probably never watched this video, but I sure did! 🤣

[Ilovemusickc]

Finally!! Been looking through so many videos for simple to the point instructions. I can finally say I have a dual monitor home office now!! I actually applauded 😄 Thanks, so much!✌🏽

[ipiano]

Thank you, Mike..and John. This was what I needed to confirm before getting a 2nd external monitor that can extend out for Windows 10. Had to sieve through so many videos to get one this clear and straight forward. Thanks!

[Kitkatrey]

OMG, fantastic video! I could not figure this out and am so appreciative for the very logical, clear cut direction! You have a great voice for narration and very patient well annunciated directions! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[CompTechMike]

For anyone looking for other options to connect a laptop (or multiple laptops) to an external monitor, one other suggestion is to look at a Dell hub monitor such as the U3821DW or U3824DW. Hub monitors have many ports and support the connection of multiple laptops or other devices simultaneously, and have a built-in KVM to easily switch between them. They can provide multiple connectivity options to connected laptops such as external keyboard & mouse (via USB), Ethernet, and power delivery (so you only need to plug the laptop into the monitor and it will get everything it needs - no additional dock or power cord required).

There are many models of hub monitor available, my recommendation is the Dell Ultrasharp line models such as those listed previously.

With the built-in KVM you can even do "picture in picture" or split-screen views. An example of this would be having two laptops connected to one large monitor and 50% of the screen being used to display the image from each laptop.

A few photos here for reference:


(images hosted on Imgur)

[CompTechMike]

It's been over two years since I uploaded this video to help *one guy* with his equipment. Am thrilled that it's received more than 377, 000 views and helped so many people (I do still wish I'd used a tripod, LOL). It continues to be a valuable resource every day and we're still using much of the equipment shown here, with the exception that we're now using Dell WD22TB4 Thunderbolt 4.0 docking stations (a newer model of the WD19TB shown in this video). And for our non-Dell laptops we recommend getting a dock from the same manufacturer. E.g., for Lenovo get a Lenovo dock, for HP get a HP dock, etc., but for other manufacturers who do not provide their own docks (such as Asus) we've had the best luck with Plugable-brand docking stations.

One of the most common questions continues to be "how do I keep my laptop from turning off when I close the lid?" While this process may vary for different hardware makes/models, it is most commonly set through the Windows Control Panel setting for "When I close the lid: Do nothing". That is accessed by going to Control Panel (search for it in Start) --> View by: Small icons --> Power Options --> Choose what closing the lid does --> then change the setting from the dropdown.

Here's a screenshot (hosted on Imgur) of that setting:


Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!

[donnac]

This video has been very helpful. I've been working from home since March 2020 due to COVID and I finally got my duel monitor's but I had no clue how to set it up after everything was plugged in. Thank you!

[ehisself]

Mike. You need to publish a book, or something. This tutorial has been the best I have ever seen as far as setting up dual monitors, and you have an excellent way of presenting the information and the details involved. Thank you very much!

[lilianchibuike]

Thanks Smith for this explanatory video. I really loved the step by step explanation and the review of the steps. Thanks once again

[cooldesert]

This is a great video, you explained everything so well.

[allureja]

Dear Mike - Thank you so much! This is the best and easiest set of directions I have found. I am now a force to be reckoned with!!!

[UglyKidJoe]

The option to "show taskbar where window is open" in the taskbar settings is a Godsend! So useful, thanks for the tip1

[midtownmayhem]

Thanks for posting this publicly! Like others, this is *the* video tutorial I've been looking for. Thanks, Mike!

[natashab]

Great video! This helped me solve an issue that I have been struggling with for months. I'm so glad that I found this video. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[ymcghee]

I struggled all day attempting to set up my equipment. I wish I'd watched this first. Thank you!

[sindeekaye]

Best tutorial on multi-monitor set-up out there! Thanks! 👌🏽

[raulgarcia]

Thank you!! This was very helpful in setting up my work station at home. I did have to look up the steps to close your laptop and keep the desktop monitor operating.

[briangreene]

thank you for your generous responds - very helpful

[karlagreathouse]

Great video! It was very helpful. Thank you so so much!