Most laptops with a USB-C port can take advantage of this. So not only do I get access to a smorgasbord of monitors, speakers, and USB gadgets, I don’t have to hunt for an open wall outlet. In addition to all those ports, and unlike USB docks from years past, the dock supplies my laptop with up to 60 watts of charging power over the USB-C cable. When I plug a USB-C laptop in with just one USB-C cable, I have access to up to three monitors over DisplayPort and HDMI, three USB 3.0 ports, another two USB 2.0 ports, an extra USB-C port, hardwired Ethernet, separate speaker and microphone jacks, and camera card readers. Take my USB-C dock, for example, a fairly typical one I found on Amazon. But with the prevalence of USB-C, this kind of plug-it-in-and-go functionality is available to everyone. USB-C docks mirror the functions of older “desktop docks” supplied for workstation laptops, often seen on Lenovo’s ThinkPad and Dell’s Latitude lines. But if you’re ready to step it up, it’s time to look at USB-C docks. To get the basic benefits of a USB-C port, you can use an inexpensive dongle to add a bunch of ports in one, with power pass-through for your laptop charger. It’s the Holy Grail of combining laptop portability with desktop comfort. This makes it possible, with the right laptop and equipment, to connect up to a dozen or so desktop components by plugging in a single cable. In short: a USB-C port can, in the right circumstances, be your power input and your USB ports and your HDMI port and your Ethernet port, all in one. See, USB-C is designed to be truly universal: on that one cable, it’s possible to transfer not just data, but power for your laptop (and anything it’s connected to), video to an external monitor (or monitors), sound to speakers, and even hardwired network data. These aren’t ideal, because they take up one of your USB ports and their performance is poor compared to a standard video cable. If your laptop doesn’t have USB-C, you’ll need to rely on a special adapter that can send video over a USB cable, like this one. USB-C has made this a lot easier: see the sections further down for more technical info. If you want to connect your laptop to multiple monitors, things become more complicated. But you’re still looking at just an adapter cable: check what you have on your laptop, what you have on your monitor, and get a cable that works with both, like this VGA-to-HDMI number. If your laptop is rocking something a little more esoteric, like the Mini-DisplayPort on older models of the Surface or the VGA port still seen on some workstation machines, things might get a little more difficult. Adam Patrick Murray / IDGĪ direct HDMI cable is the fastest and easiest way to connect a monitor to a laptop. All you need is an HDMI cable, and you’re good to go. HDMI is the most popular at the moment, because just about every monitor (and television) made in the last ten years will have that port. Most laptops have a maximum of one video connection.
#How to get desktop note Pc#
You can use almost any external accessory made for a desktop PC with a laptop, so long as you can find a way to connect it. Maybe you want a hardwired network connection, a DVD drive, or a card reader for your digital camera. Maybe you want to add on a high-quality external webcam and microphone for meetings, or connect a game controller or an external hard drive. Other peripherals: Here’s where everything else goes. The best computer speakers under $100- Creative Pebble for $20.(Or if you prefer, a nice headset or a pair of true wireless earbuds.) Speakers: Again, the speakers in your laptop will remain functional while you work at a desk, but for bigger, bolder sound, get a set of dedicated speakers. The best wireless keyboard- Logitech K800 Illuminated for $60.But if you find yours particularly uncomfortable, or if you want to get into the growing mechanical keyboard scene, consider adding on a wired or wireless keyboard. Keyboard: A lot of users just stick with their laptop keyboard while using it at a desk station. The best productivity mouse- Logitech’s MX Master 3 for $100.
#How to get desktop note Bluetooth#
Get a USB model if you want speed, or Bluetooth if you want a connection that won’t take up a USB port. Mouse: Most laptop users are an ace at a trackpad, but even the best of them will agree that a mouse is the way to go.
#How to get desktop note 1080p#
A classic no-frills budget monitor- 24-inch, 1080p display by HP for $125.