Docking station or other way to connect multiple monitors to HP model 14-n218us

[onlyonehdmi]

Hi, I have an HP Pavilion 14-n218us with only 1 HDMI port and 3 USB ports. I currently have 1 monitor connected and would like to add 1-2 more. (It would be nice to have another USB port also, but that is not important. Earlier in the year I bought a USB 3.0 HUB that does not work.) Two of the monitors have both HDMI and VGA ports; one only has a DVI-I port.

Should I buy an HDMI splitter? Or is a docking station better? How do I choose one that is compatible with my computer and monitors?

Thanks!

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

A splitter will generate the same image on both monitors. I assume that is not what you want. You need a USB 3.0 docking station with DisplayLink capability. This will allow not only additional monitors but additional desktops on those monitors. 

https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Universal-Docking-Station-Ethernet/dp/B00ECDM78E/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1...

Example above. This has an HDMI and a DVI so if your monitors are not DVI you need a DVI to HDMI adapter. Easily found. 

This will also be a usb hub and will give you more usb connections as well as network and audio.

Post back with any other questions and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[onlyonehdmi]

Thank you so much!!

You're right, I want different views to display on each screen, not replicates of the same view. That product is one I had been considering, so it is good to know it will work. This one is $10 less and looks like it has DisplayLink capabilities also -- will it work? I'm worried I might order something that won't work in my inexperience with these things, and I won't have time to return and reorder before I need it! https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Monitor-Horizontal-Docking-Ethernet/dp/B07BFJSYFM/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1...

Also, will I still be able to use the ports that are not used by the docking station or on the docking station? For example, if one USB 3.0 port is used by the docking station, that will leave 2 other USB 3.0 ports and 1 HDMI port open. Can I plug 2 monitors into the HDMI and DVI ports on the docking station, then plug one into the HDMI port on the computer? 

I've never posted here before, so I'm not sure if the topic will be closed if I accept as solution now, so I will wait for your reply before I accept. 🙂 Thank you.

[Huffer]

Yes just read the fine print on the device and see if DisplayLink is supported. The one you ask about is a DisplayLink. They tend to be the more expensive docks. Yes you can use all the ports on the dock and still use the ports built into the laptop. 

Please accept as solution if this is the info you needed.