Summary
- Some modern monitors support video over USB-C, offering an alternative to dedicated DisplayPort and HDMI connections.
- Hooking up a mouse and keyboard to your monitor can make it easier to control multiple devices, not just your PC.
- A monitor can be yet another way of setting up an external SSD for backups and extended storage — as long as its ports are fast enough.
Many eons ago, in the 1990s, monitors used to be an incredible hassle. They were bulky CRT beasts, heavy to the point that the largest ones were difficult to carry by yourself. And of course, once you finally got one connected, there wasn’t much else it could do aside from show whatever was running on your PC or Mac. You couldn’t even connect one to the same devices you’d connect to a TV, at least not without some sort of converter box.
Fast-forward to today, and just about any monitor you can buy is not only ultra-light, but equipped with an arsenal of ports for (almost) anything you might want to do. Some models are still better-equipped than others, naturally — but chances are, there are at least a few USB ports for expanding your laptop or desktop setup. Here are a few things you might consider trying.
1
Replace DisplayPort or HDMI for video
Check monitor specs first
Most monitors rely on DisplayPort as their primary means of connecting to a PC, with HDMI as their secondary option. A select group of monitors, however, take advantage of something called DisplayPort Alt Mode, which lets them accept video over a pure USB-C connection, not just power or passthrough data.
You may still need a separate power supply, depending on the other specs of the monitor, and/or whether your computer can provide enough juice via USB Power Delivery (USB-PD). Keep in mind that some monitors that operate solely off USB are compact travel models — for a 4K gaming behemoth, you’re probably going to be using DisplayPort and a separate AC adapter, or else Thunderbolt (Thunderbolt 4 and 5 being tied to USB 4, mind).
Why would you want to use USB-C? If nothing else, it’s a fallback if a port isn’t working, or you need to switch to a computer that doesn’t have a dedicated DisplayPort hookup. When a monitor supports both video and power over USB, it can simplify your desktop configuration, eliminating one more cable that would otherwise clutter your desk and take up a slot on your surge protector.
2
Connect your mouse and keyboard to multiple sources
Spare your PC’s own ports
By far, the most common purpose of putting USB ports on a monitor is to turn it into a hub. Many laptops and some smaller desktops just don’t have enough ports to connect everything you’d like. When computers do have enough ports, shifting accessories like your mouse and keyboard to a monitor can keep cables out of the way, or free up ports where they’re most needed. If you regularly dock and undock a laptop, leaving input controllers attached to your monitor can simplify going mobile.
It also makes it easier to flip that input between multiple devices. In fact, some monitors incorporate their own KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switches, making it possible to change what you’re seeing and controlling without disconnecting anything. You might, for example, switch from your PC to your PlayStation with a single button, not that there’s much call for a mouse and keyboard beyond the console’s homescreen interface.
3
Charge your phone, watch, glasses, or tablet
Maybe even your laptop
All modern USB ports deliver a base amount of power. Often, it’s not much more than you’d use to power a keyboard, but USB 3.0’s default 4.5 to 7.5W is still enough to charge a phone if you leave it hooked up for a long time. If you’re going to be sitting at a desk for several hours anyway, there’s no sense buying a dedicated charger with a separate wall adapter, at least one that isn’t going by your bedside.
4.5W should also be enough to charge some wearable accessories, such as smart glasses or a smartwatch. For anything bigger than a phone, however, you’ll want to check for ports that support USB-PD. Depending on your monitor, these can channel up to 100, 140, 180, or even 240W, enough to top up a tablet or laptop in a reasonable amount of time, if not power it outright. The main exception involves high-end gaming laptops — the Razer Blade 18 comes with a 330W power brick for a reason.
4
Power lights, fans, and other accessories
Just don’t go berserk
If there’s enough power to charge a phone, there’s enough to handle some of the many non-data accessories designed for desktops, such as small lamps, fans, and vacuums. Don’t expect anything spectacular, of course. A USB lamp isn’t going to illuminate an entire room, and a USB vacuum isn’t going to pick up much more than crumbs and hair. Sometimes, though, a full-sized appliance is overkill, and your monitor can handle these accessories without encroaching on your computer’s main ports.
You may be able to connect more powerful accessories if they would normally charge via a USB wall adapter. In that case, though, you’re going to need a port with USB-PD compatibility. Also, be prepared for them to lose power when you turn off your monitor. It’s a bad idea to connect smart lights this way — they’ll be unable to respond to some scheduled automations unless you leave your monitor on 24/7.
5
Add external storage
Protect or expand your data
Every computer deserves an external SSD. At a minimum, external storage is important for backing up photos, documents, and other files that could otherwise end up trapped if your computer dies, and you don’t have copies in the cloud. If you do use cloud storage, a local backup can come to the rescue when the internet isn’t accessible, or you want to switch services.
Some users will, of course, want to go beyond backup, using an external drive to install apps or run media libraries. Pay attention to USB speeds, however — a 5Gbps USB 3.0 port might be fine for your music collection, but you’ll be miserable trying to run games that way.
Realistically, apps demand 10Gbps or better, which means at least USB 3.2 Gen 2. Better still is USB 4, which supports up to 40Gbps. Make sure the SSD you choose is capable of keeping up, too.
