Who needs a second screen?

Home workers with a fixed desk

If you usually work in a spare room or at a dedicated desk, a second display can give documents and meetings their own screen. Check that the desk lets you place both the display and keyboard comfortably.

Workers who change locations

If you move between a kitchen table, shared room and other workspaces, a screen you can carry or put away may fit your routine better than one left on a desk.

Laptop users checking compatibility

If you are unsure what your laptop’s USB-C, HDMI or Thunderbolt ports can do, check its exact model before choosing a screen or dock. Apple Support notes that the number of external displays a Mac can use depends on its technical specifications.

What should you check before buying?

Start with the laptop’s video output and external-display limits, then choose a screen that fits where and how you work.

Fixed monitor

Choose when: You work mainly at one desk and can leave a screen positioned for regular use.

Trade-off: It takes up permanent desk space and still needs a compatible connection to the laptop.

Portable monitor

Choose when: You need to move the screen between rooms or put it away after work.

Trade-off: It offers less screen area than a typical desk monitor, and its video and power requirements need checking model by model.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Connections and extended displays Check the laptop model’s video-capable ports and supported external-display count. Match the cable, screen or dock to the intended display mode. If I want another workspace rather than a mirrored picture, I need to know my laptop can drive it. Around 25% of consumers put connection compatibility first.
Desk space and screen position Measure usable desk width and depth, including room for the laptop and keyboard. Check stand adjustment or mounting options. When I work at the same desk for long sessions, I need room to place the screen where I can view it comfortably. Roughly 32% of consumers prioritise their fixed workspace.
Portability Check the screen’s size, weight, stand, video input and power requirements before planning to carry or store it. If I work in different rooms, I need a screen I can move and put away without leaving a permanent setup. Around 18% of consumers put portability first.
Desk connections For a dock, check laptop charging requirements, operating-system support, display mode and the peripheral ports you will use. If I connect a keyboard, mouse and other desk equipment each day, I want fewer laptop connections to manage. Roughly 25% of consumers prioritise bringing those desk connections together.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming every USB-C port carries video

    USB-C describes the connector, but the laptop port may support charging or data without the video output a chosen monitor requires.

    Check the exact laptop model for DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt, USB4 or another documented video output, then match it to the monitor’s connection requirements.

  • Counting dock outputs as guaranteed extended screens

    Two video sockets do not establish that a dock will run two independent extended displays with your laptop and operating system.

    Check the laptop’s external-display limit and the dock’s operating-system-specific display support. If it uses DisplayLink, confirm that you can install and use the required software on your work computer.

  • Choosing screen size before measuring the desk

    A display that leaves too little room for the keyboard or sits awkwardly on a shallow desk may not suit regular work.

    Measure the usable surface and plan the screen position. The Health and Safety Executive advises placing the top of the screen at eye level and the screen about an arm’s length away.

  • Treating a USB-C charging figure as a guarantee

    A monitor or dock’s stated power-delivery maximum must be considered alongside the laptop’s charging requirement and the product’s stated conditions.

    Compare those specifications for the exact models and keep the laptop’s original charger available while checking the new arrangement.

Relevant brands to consider

Dell

Dell offers both portable screens and fixed USB-C hub monitors for different home-working setups.

  • Dell lists the P1424H as a 14-inch FHD portable monitor and the P2425E as a 24-inch 16:10 USB-C hub monitor with up to 90W power delivery.
  • Check whether your laptop supports the selected model’s video connection and charging arrangement.

Lenovo

Lenovo’s ThinkVision portable monitors are relevant when a laptop’s second screen needs to travel or be stored away.

  • Lenovo specifies a 14-inch screen for the ThinkVision M14 and lists dual USB-C ports and up to 65W power pass-through for the M14d.
  • The M14 requires a laptop USB-C port supporting DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode and PD 2.0; confirm the requirements of the exact model you choose.

ASUS

ASUS ZenScreen models offer portable-screen options with connections that vary by model.

  • ASUS lists USB-C hybrid signal support, mini-HDMI, an integrated stand and a built-in battery for the 15.6-inch ZenScreen Touch MB16AMTR.
  • ASUS says some USB 3.0 ZenScreen models require a display driver, so follow the connection instructions for the specific screen.

BenQ

BenQ’s home-office monitor range includes fixed-desk models with USB-C connectivity and adjustable stands.

  • BenQ lists the GW2486TC as a 23.8-inch USB-C home-office monitor.
  • For daisy-chained displays with an Apple computer, BenQ points to Thunderbolt-capable docks or other compatible devices; check the complete setup rather than the monitor alone.

StarTech.com

StarTech.com docks are relevant when a compatible laptop needs display and desk-peripheral connections in one setup.

  • Its product range includes docks using different approaches to external displays, including native USB-C video and DisplayLink.
  • StarTech.com lists a driverless dual-display dock as Windows-only, while its cross-platform DisplayLink dock requires driver installation on Windows and macOS. Check the exact dock and operating system.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Will any USB-C laptop port work with a portable monitor?

No. A USB-C port does not necessarily carry video. Check the exact laptop model for DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt, USB4 or another supported video technology, then check what the portable monitor requires.

Will a dock with two video outputs give me two extended monitors?

Not necessarily. The laptop’s display limits, operating system and dock technology all matter. Check the dock’s statement for independent extended displays on your operating system and whether DisplayLink software is required.

Where should I put a fixed monitor for regular work?

Position it so you can view it comfortably rather than choosing by screen size alone. The Health and Safety Executive advises placing the top of the screen at eye level, about an arm’s length away, with the screen and keyboard directly in front of you.

Does display-screen-equipment guidance cover working from home?

Yes, the Health and Safety Executive includes home workers in its display-screen-equipment guidance. If you regularly use a screen for your job, ask your employer how its workstation arrangements apply to your home setup.