For faculty and staff with Windows laptops returning to campus.
Step 1: Identify your docking station:
• No docking station
• E-dock series
• Dell WD15
• Dell WD19
Step 2: Note your video connection options
| VGA: 15-pin, usually blue |
| HDMI: Note it is symmetric. |
| DVI: 3 rows of pins plus a wider metal bit which helps to ensure correct fit; usually white |
| USB-C: very slim |
| Dell DisplayPort (DP): Note it is asymmetric |
| Mini DisplayPort (DP): for connecting standard DP to the WD15 dock. |
No docking station
If you have a laptop without a docking station, you should be able to plug an external monitor into your laptop. Look at the sides and back of your laptop to see what video ports you have (see Note your video connectors above.) Note that some laptops are not able to support two external monitors without a dock.
E-dock series
The E-dock is the kind that your laptop is positioned on top of, and clicks into. If your laptop has indents underneath like those shown below, then it needs an E-type dock.
The E-docks support VGA, DVI and DP video connections. Make sure to connect power to the dock (the rightmost connection in the image below).
Use the appropriate cable to connect matching ports from dock to monitor (see Note your video connectors above.)
Dell WD15
The WD15 supports HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, and VGA options for monitor connections. Make sure to connect power to the dock (the rightmost port in the image below).
Use the appropriate cable to connect matching ports from dock to monitor (see Note your video connectors above.)
Dell WD19
The WD19 dock supports two DisplayPorts, HDMI, and USB-C options for monitor connections. Make sure to connect power to the dock (the rightmost port in the image below).
Use the appropriate cable to connect matching ports from dock to monitor (see Note your video connectors above).
Additional notes
You may have an adapter cable, with different connectors at each end, or an adapter attached to a cable. Whatever you were issued before the pandemic should work, unless your equipment has been upgraded over the last year.
This monitor has from left to right: DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and VGA ports.