External monitor compatibility

[Teedoubleudee]

Hi, I'm currently thinking of using my Pavilion PC 15 laptop as a replacement for my Lenovo desktop which is not compatible with Win 11. So I want to add an external monitor but unsure if I will be able to utilise the higher resolution that is available on the external monitor compared to the max available on the laptop. I am looking at the HP monitor model E27m G24 (27") QHD IPS business monitor. It has a max res of 2560x1440. My Pavilion has a max res of 1920x1080. So if I connect the two with HDMI cable will the ext montor magically display at it's highest resolution or will I get a stretched out 1920x1080 which might not look so good on a 27" monitor?  As a supplementary question, the screen on the laptop is a touch screen - silly question but if I, for instance, zoom in on the touch screen will the external monitor follow it? I think I know the answer but thought it worth asking anyway 😉 ? By the way I am a retired ex HP employee out of Reading so if anyone remembers me H!!

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

This monitor?

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/product-specs/hp-e27m-g4-qhd-usb-c-conferencing-monitor/model/2...

You would want to use one of the USB-C ports on the laptop to connect to the monitor and yes it will run the external monitor at full resolution. You can duplicate the external monitor to the laptop screen and in that case if you use the touchscreen on the laptop it will also move the curser on the external. Or you can extend the desktop to create a second desktop solely on the external monitor (recommended) in which case the external will not be affected by the touchscreen. I actually recommend you get a port replicator/docking station to connect to the laptop and then hook the monitor to the docking station. That way you also connect mouse keyboard and speakers as well as power to the docking station and remove the whole "desktop" setup from the laptop by disconnecting at a single port. I have been using an HP mobile workstation in this manner for years and am happy to go into greater detail if you wish. Post back with any more questions. 

[Teedoubleudee]

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply. I may look into your port suggestion which I will look into.