hey Huffer, you out there??

[TexasIndian]

what I have:                 *  HPE desktop connected to......

                                         *   .....HP 2311x monitor

                                         *  (brand spanking new) HP ENVY 13t convertible laptop (V.Day gift for wife)

what I want to do:    *  connect the HP 2311x  to the HP ENVY 13t convertible  (like an old 'docking station')

                                        *   be 'forced'  to buy a new 27" QHD monitor for my HPE desktop   

what I was told:       *  "buy one of the adapters (listed near bottom of practically every HP laptop sales/build page)

   (by HP sales)                and this will plug the HP 2311x into a new ENVY port to create the 'docking station' effect of

                                             setting laptop aside, then use HP 2311x screen for viewing with a wireless mouse/keyboard"

                                              Then another sales tech said this was NOT going to be the effect just by plugging in an adapter;

                                              (so I did not add any adapter to the configuration list when building/customizing her new ENVY)

                                              since I know EXACTLY what effect I want, just not sure HOW...so I go to Geeks...sorry, EXPERTS!

[Huffer]

Unfortunately we geeks are geeky and live on information and I am going to need the exact model of the new laptop. I suspect it has at least one USB-C port but I want to be sure. The monitor has an HDMI (female) port so assuming the laptop has a USB-C port you need one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Thunderbolt-Cable-Benfei-Adapter-Gold-Plated/dp/B01NH500RV/ref=sr_1_1?s=elect...

This plugs laptop direct to monitor. You can also get a short USB-C to HDMI female and use a regular male to male HDMI cable:

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Metal-Female-Support-4Kx2K/dp/B01FM52DES/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=...

Post back with any more questions. We can also try to find you genuine HP adapters but I use these 3rd party adapters with my Spectre which has USB-C. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.  

[TexasIndian]

okay HUFFER, remember you asked for it!!

what I currently / literally possess now :

**  HP ENVY x360 13t    model # 13-y0XX 

               (W8Q19AV   -   6CD7050DT6)

       i7-7500U / 1tb SSD / QHD / HD graphics 620

[usb 3.1 type-A  (x3)  +  usb 3.1 type-C  +  HDMI v2.0a]

                       ___________&___________

**  HP 2311x    XP598AA   WLED monitor

      connectors: 1 DVI-D + 1 HDMI + 1 VGA

want to purchase 1 of 3 monitors (on sale-$199) :

**  HP Pavilion 27xw  IPS  LED  Backlit    -or-

**  HP 27er  #T3M88AA#ABA    -or-

**  HP 27sv  LED  Backlit  #M4B77AA#ABA

           (which would you choose?   why?)

what is the result I want to accomplish :

**  connect one of the new 27" monitors to my desktop

**  connect my old HP 2311x monitor to new HP ENVY 13t

      ideally in a way resembling old 'docking station' concept:

      (ie: laptop closed on desk and connected to 2311x monitor

       that 'projects' the 13" laptop picture onto the 23" screen)

btw:  was looking at links you sent...when my low-wattage

           lightbulb went off....won't I need male/male adapter??

[TexasIndian]

HELP!!

how do I connect HP 2311x monitor to HP Envy 13t notebook to get the  

'docking station' set-up?  (sit notebook on desk...plug in monitor...picture

transfers from the HP Envy 13t  screen to the HP 2311x monitor's  screen)

[Huffer]

What have you tried so far? You should just be able to connect the USB-C to HDMI female adapter to the laptop, use a male-to-male HDMI cable and run it from the adapter to the dock. On power properties in the control panel set it to do nothing when you close the lid. Do you have a mouse and keyboard? 

[TexasIndian]

Not currently using a docking station....but I had one with former job;  LOVED the

ability to:  set closed laptop onto dock then picture 'jumped'  onto larger monitor.

When shopping for new notebook, this capability was a definite 'want' on my list.

I asked if whatever model I saw had compatible docking station, since I want to

create this same set-up at home.  Was told by every Sales agent (big box stores/

computer store/HP Sales)  'docking stations' are "too expensive, bulky, antiquated."

The "New Way"  is to simply use a single adapter to connect between a monitor port

and notebook port to acheive  'docking station' concept.  Since I'm a combination of

suspicious and tech-ignorant, I tabled that 'want' & met my other needs w/Envy 13t.

NOW, I desperately want to attach my old HP 2311x  monitor to the new HP ENVY 13t;

just need instructions to acquire 'docking station' concept...what do I attach/connect??

(and yes, have several wireless keyboards & mice already)

[Huffer]

You are just repeating yourself and we are not moving the ball down the field at all. I absolutely 100% got the picture as to what you want to do. What do you have available? You have the laptop you have the screen you have mouse and keyboard, what else? The sales guys for once were right. Consumer laptops no longer have docking stations. You have to use an adapter which is really a port replicator, since it does not power the laptop. If you have already bought one or more adapters we can try to use those but if you have not we can pick out something for you to buy to have as close to a "docking" experience as possible. 

[TexasIndian]

My apologies:  have a tendency to 'over-explain', especially when I am NOT proficient

in the field under discussion.  Would very much appreciate your assistance/expertise

"helping pick out something to buy to have as close to a 'docking' experience".

[Huffer]

So let's focus. The question on the floor is whether you have any devices other than the laptop itself, AC adapter, monitor, wireless mouse and keyboard? In other words have you already purchased any adapters or are we starting on a clean slate? 

[TexasIndian]

clean slate, no adapter