I recently upgraded to a new monitor that unfortunately does not have a USB-C port, which I used to connect my peripherals. My old setup let me plug my PC into the USB-C on the monitor, and it allowed my keyboard and mouse to work seamlessly through USB-A ports on the monitor. Now, I'm only able to connect via DisplayPort, which works fine for the video signal, but does not send any data for my peripherals. I can connect a USB-B cable from the monitor to my PC for that functionality, but I want to simplify things. If I buy a USB-C to DisplayPort bidirectional cable, will it allow for data transfer in addition to video? My research suggests these cables can handle signals in both directions, but I'm not sure if they carry data simultaneously.
2 Answers
You’re right, DisplayPort is mainly for video and audio, not for USB data. A solid workaround would be to get a USB-C dock that features both USB and HDMI/DisplayPort outputs. I came across the UGREEN Revodok Pro 106, which might check all your boxes!
Thanks so much for the info and the links! I’ll have to weigh the extra hassle of one more cable against the convenience. Thanks again!
Unfortunately, DisplayPort can't transport USB signals, so your concerns are valid. Your old monitor was essentially a USB-C dock in disguise! To get that same functionality with your new monitor, your best bet is to invest in a USB-C dock that can handle both video and USB data. Just a heads up though, from my experience, USB-C docks might not be as reliable as the ones built into monitors. We used to have a bunch of USB-C docks at my office and they caused a lot of headaches. Switching to monitors with built-in docks made things way smoother!
We've had great results with Ugreen Hubs and Lenovo ThinkPad docks. But I recently started using Dell P series monitors with built-in USB-C hubs, and they are fantastic. It simplifies everything! No more extra cables, and the connection is instant! Users love it.
Thanks for clarifying! My old monitor was a Lenovo too, complete with speakers and a webcam. While my new one has a bigger screen and better quality, the connectivity is really lacking.
Here’s a link to the UGREEN Revodok: https://www.ugreen.com/collections/ugreen-revodok-series-docking-station/products/6-in-1-usb-c-hub-4k. If you need Ethernet too, there's one with that option here: https://www.ugreen.com/collections/ugreen-revodok-series-docking-station/products/15598.