adding monitor to all in one pc

[Kracken72]

As the title suggests is this possible? I don't want to buy one and find I can't use it. Would I need certain cables? I am wanting a set up with 2 monitors and a laptop for wfh.

I do this. I have alaptop that powers 2 monitors. Its certainly possible but how you connect it up depends on teh connectivity options on the laptop and monitors. Its really easy if all are pretty modern and have USB C connectivity.

So i have a Dell laptop and 2 dell monitors that allow dasiy chaining so I simply have one usb C to usb C cable from laptop to first monitor, which is connected usb C to usb C to the second monitor.

If equipment is less modern, a docking station/hub might be needed where you have both monitors plugged into the hub and then your laptop conencted to that.

All depends on connectivity really but always a way (and laptop needs to be fairly powerful)

Maybe, is the answer. You’ll need to look at the ports available on your pc, and google for images if you need help identifying them.

If it has an HDMI port then you’re good to go.

if it has no hdmi port but it does have USB-C ports then one of them may be display enabled (look for either a little lightning bolt symbol or a stylised ’D’ next to the port, or find the tech docs for your machine and see what type of ports they are). In this case you’ll need a monitor that has a USB-C input.

Op said it’s an all-in-one, not a laptop!

Laptops are designed to be mobile workstations that you dock to better infrastructure when available; all-in-ones are often more basic.

Then OP said 'I am wanting a set up with 2 monitors and a laptop for wfh'!

thank you for the replies. The all in one has a HDMI port its a HP all in one. Also has a C port. The Laptop is brand new and is a Dell. So I just need to buy another monitor and a HDMI cable?

If OP meant 'add a second monitor to an all in one setup' then as you said, yes, technically possibly depending on connectivity but it might not be powerful enough to run it. My laptop has 16GB of RAM but grinds a but on the display drivers 32GB RAM would be snoother.

TLDR Would depend on the spec of your current all in one or laptop OP.

Ok so you mean use the all in ones laptops monitor as a second monitor for the laptop?

I dont know much about all in one pcs and their specs but that sounds trickier. Maybe if you can connect it to a hub.

It would be easier to buy 2 identical monitors for the new laptop i reckon and sell or repurpose the all in one?

I do this. I have a laptop and use an old monitor connected to it via a cable. Have a look at your settings in your laptop - it has the setup on there. I can have a Word document open one screen and Google something or my emails on the other. I'm not techie at all but somehow I managed it. One thing: when it's all connected and I want to play a video, there's no sound, I've no idea why. So I have to pull the cable from the back to hear sound. But yes, likely there are YouTube tutorials about setting it up.

OP wants one laptop 2 monitors I think so 3 screens. Perfectly possible using some combo of usbc and hdmi cables depending on the specs of the laptop and any monitors. Does the existing monitor for the all in one have hdmi or usb c didplay ports on it?

yes the all in one has the hdmi and usb c ports.

the laptop belongs to work and the all in one I use for dh's business so I can't get rid of it, though maybe I could upgrade to a new one lol

Arr you going to buy a second monitor for the work laptop? In which case concentrate on gettng that plugged in would be my advice. Otherwise, buy the appropriate cable off amazon to connect to the HDMI or USBC (if its got the little D/lightning bolt as described above) on the all in one monitor and corresponding USBC display port on the laptop and see what happens! They arent too expensive so you could order one of each and send back one.

So of laptop has one of these usb C ports with the lightni g bolt get these cables https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-Monitor-Compatible-MacBook-Chromebook/dp/B082X93XY7/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=6YADDDAK7AHN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4evgczqBbeHh0LZy8jkz6lMALJru_u1M8cH6E9lajetuILuvzqXUwPyf8nrjJI0PPXlB1NuHlTDPWsnueutSB7dalqMk8Zl9XnOTL6Xb70IkvSbUYhpiFoHok19e-758u-Q7vR4YV6fTsv0ps0nKLhGwZqOnulg8dPJgBsFG1xUgYVSbX0qNOZaNXsRkI9o7SYyLuTBNd_WJlSWDrxlhxg.NmifR8e_NcQ9inCg-8ZBpV8JtO4Y-ulvC6XRn_z5Ro4&dib_tag=se&keywords=usbc+display+cable&qid=1725100889&sprefix=usbc+display+%2Caps%2C285&sr=8-3 if monitor has the same port.

Or one of these if monitor has HDMI port only:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Basics-adapter-Thunderbolt-compatible-Black/dp/B083KTYFCW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2ZD94C7AOD2ZE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ITCZKA5cCdMKyfRCqSDpvcQKU-TDQVF4_MeGPI6mT7mb9vw22dNdBQr7ccmL9C4nmKYhMb75_Mk_tV_B0Vkx2PjhQjBFMQ3OeAVHhqzuXK7YcT-wA0-00dgLNpz0HCcUyFYTyL0HE8s7DnFN5HoK9asFE0oyF_qVnpJfc2cjzgt1mAgnvwn-y4bSn7uAShCntALRVIiclNaqq8Sg8LpLaw.ITn9SR9nwn8L7TIRr_E-L22cd69OCgGfFlVRL1-F9Ps&dib_tag=se&keywords=usbc+display+to+hdmi&qid=1725101014&sprefix=usbc+display+to+hdmi%2Caps%2C242&sr=8-3

If they dont work on the existing moitor, you can use one to connect to a new monitor.