Don't forget that the laptop screen is monitor #1. What video card does your model have? The optional USB 3.1 C is present only if you have a discrete video card. From the manual--
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-C) port (optional) Connect to external storage devices. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps. NOTE: This port does not support video/audio streaming. NOTE: This port is only present on computers ordered with a discrete graphics configuration
Intel GPUs have supported up to 3 simultaneous independent displays up to 4K 60 Hz each if the system has the necessary outputs to allow connecting that type of setup, so the GPU won't be an issue in terms of connecting dual external displays even if you wanted to keep the built-in display active. And some USB-C ports have GPU outputs wired to them to provide video output, which then allows the use of USB-C to DisplayPort cables. Unfortunately, according to the Inspiron 5584 product page here, the USB-C port on that system is data-only, i.e. no video output support. Since HDMI outputs don't support multiple independent displays from a single output, the only way to connect an additional external display to that system would be through an "indirect display" adapter that used technology such as DisplayLink. Those plug into typical USB ports and then give you a VGA/DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort output. However, "indirect display" technology has its drawbacks, which I've written about in detail in this thread, specifically the post marked as the answer. If those drawbacks won't affect you, then you can find DisplayLink adapters from vendors like StarTech and Plugable. And even if they might affect you, you might decide that the drawbacks are worth the risk given that the alternative would be not having a second external display at all (or buying a different laptop model that supported dual external displays driven by the GPU). Just know what you're getting into.
Mary G
4 Operator
•
20.1K Posts
0
February 11th, 2020 06:00
Don't forget that the laptop screen is monitor #1. What video card does your model have? The optional USB 3.1 C is present only if you have a discrete video card. From the manual--
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-C) port (optional)
Connect to external storage devices. Provides data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.
NOTE: This port does not support video/audio streaming.
NOTE: This port is only present on computers ordered with a discrete graphics configuration
Check out the other info in the manual.
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
February 11th, 2020 09:00
Intel GPUs have supported up to 3 simultaneous independent displays up to 4K 60 Hz each if the system has the necessary outputs to allow connecting that type of setup, so the GPU won't be an issue in terms of connecting dual external displays even if you wanted to keep the built-in display active. And some USB-C ports have GPU outputs wired to them to provide video output, which then allows the use of USB-C to DisplayPort cables. Unfortunately, according to the Inspiron 5584 product page here, the USB-C port on that system is data-only, i.e. no video output support. Since HDMI outputs don't support multiple independent displays from a single output, the only way to connect an additional external display to that system would be through an "indirect display" adapter that used technology such as DisplayLink. Those plug into typical USB ports and then give you a VGA/DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort output. However, "indirect display" technology has its drawbacks, which I've written about in detail in this thread, specifically the post marked as the answer. If those drawbacks won't affect you, then you can find DisplayLink adapters from vendors like StarTech and Plugable. And even if they might affect you, you might decide that the drawbacks are worth the risk given that the alternative would be not having a second external display at all (or buying a different laptop model that supported dual external displays driven by the GPU). Just know what you're getting into.
Ghost79
2 Posts
1
February 12th, 2020 00:00
Thank you. Just ordered the Dell D3100 Docking Station. I understand it works with DisplayLink. Holding thumbs.
lucfig
1 Message
0
June 28th, 2021 20:00
Hi, did the docking station worked for you?