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In my workplace, I have a Lenovo T14 laptop(1), connected by USB-C to a 1080p monitor(2) which functions as a docking station - specifically, it's connected to another monitor via DisplayPort out (set in the monitor as "DP Out Multi-Stream=Extend").

This works, but the additional monitor is limited to 1920×1080. When I connect it to a 2k(2560×1440) monitor (HP Z27), I can only set it to 1920×1080, and then the display looks bad because it's not its native resolution.

Question: Is this a limitation of the laptop itself? Or of the monitor? Anything I can do to get the laptop to support these external monitors properly?

What I tried:

  • Disable the laptop's built-in 1920×1080 display - same result
  • Connect the laptop directly to the 2k(2560×1440) monitor using USB-C - works well. Also tested with 4k(3840×2160, HP Z32).
  • Install monitor driver - same result
  • Update latest firmware for the 2k monitor (1.0.0.18 Rev.A, shows up on the monitor as LIM293) - same result
  • MonitorInfoView correctly shows the max resolution of 2560×1440.

(1) Lenovo T14 Gen1 20S1S3VT1N, with i5-10310U CPU and Intel UHD Graphics (latest drivers 31.0.101.2114), built-in 1920×1080 display.

(2) Philips 243B1, 1920×1080. It connects via USB-C, and then it:

  • display the output of DisplayPort-over-USBC on the monitor. Note that it does not include a separate GPU like DisplayLink.
  • outputs DisplayPort to an additional monitor via DisplayPort 1.2 daisy-chain
  • Has sound-over-USB, Ethernet-over-USB, and a few additional USB ports

Additional Research

I recorded the USB setup using USB Device Tree Viewer

Scenario 1 - second monitor limited to 1920×1080

Lenovo T14 gen1 (Intel UHD Graphics)
Dock monitor: Philips 243B1_27 1920×1080, USB set to USB 3.2
Second monitor, connected to dock monitor using DisplayPort-Out: HP Z27n G2 2560×1440 <<<<< Limited to 1920×1080
|---Intel(R) USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.10 (Microsoft)
|   +---USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)
\---Intel(R) USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.10 (Microsoft)
    \---USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)
        |HS-[2-1]
        |---[2-2]: Generic USB 2.1 Hub
        |   |---[2-2-1]: Generic USB 2.1 Hub
        |   |   |LS-[2-2-1-1]: Avago Pte USB Optical Mouse   <<<<< Monitor's USB ports, with some devices connected
        |   |   |LS-[2-2-1-2]: Lenovo Traditional USB Keyboard
        |   |   |HS-[2-2-1-3]
        |   |   |HS-[2-2-1-4]
        |   |   \HS-[2-2-1-5]
        |   |HS-[2-2-2]
        |   \HS-[2-2-3]
        |FS-[2-3]: MOSART Semi 2.4G INPUT DEVICE - Keyboard, Mouse, 2× HID
(...)
        |SS-[2-13]
        |---[2-14]: Generic SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Hub
        |   +---[2-14-1]: Generic SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Hub
        |   \SS-[2-14-2]: Realtek USB GbE Family Controller - Net   <<<<< Monitor's network controller - on USB3
(...)

Scenario2: Monitor switched to USB2, second monitor running at full res

Lenovo T14 gen1 (Intel UHD Graphics)
Dock monitor: Philips 243B1_27 1920×1080, USB set to USB 2.0
Second monitor, connected to dock monitor using DisplayPort-Out: HP Z27n G2 2560×1440   <<<< Running at full res
|---Intel(R) USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.10 (Microsoft)
|   +---USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)
\---Intel(R) USB 3.1 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.10 (Microsoft)
    \---USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)
        |HS-[2-1]
        |---[2-2]: Generic USB 2.1 Hub
        |   |---[2-2-1]: Generic USB 2.1 Hub
        |   |   |LS-[2-2-1-1]: Avago Pte USB Optical Mouse   <<<<< Monitor's USB ports, with some devices connected
        |   |   |LS-[2-2-1-2]: Lenovo Traditional USB Keyboard
        |   |   |HS-[2-2-1-3]
        |   |   |HS-[2-2-1-4]
        |   |   \HS-[2-2-1-5]
        |   |HS-[2-2-2]: Realtek USB GbE Family Controller - Net   <<<<< Monitor's network controller - on USB2
        |   \HS-[2-2-3]
        |FS-[2-3]: MOSART Semi 2.4G INPUT DEVICE - Keyboard, Mouse, 2× HID
(...)

Scenario3: Stronger laptop, second monitor running at full res

Laptop: Lenovo T14 Gen2i (Intel Iris XE)
Dock monitor: Philips 243B1_27, USB set to USB 3.2
Second monitor, connected to dock monitor using DisplayPort-Out: HP Z27n G2 2560×1440   <<<< Running at full res
|---Intel(R) USB 3.10 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.20 (Microsoft)
|   \---USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)
(...)
|       |HS-[1-5]
|       |---[1-6]: Generic USB 2.1 Hub
|       |   |HS-[1-6-1]
|       |   |HS-[1-6-2]
|       |   |LS-[1-6-3]: PixArt Lenovo USB Optical Mouse   <<<<< Monitor's USB ports, with some devices connected
|       |   |LS-[1-6-4]: Dell USB Keyboard
|       |   |HS-[1-6-5]
(...)
\---Intel(R) USB 3.10 eXtensible Host Controller - 1.20 (Microsoft)
    \---USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)
        |HS-[2-1]
        |SS-[2-2]
        |SS-[2-3]
        |---[2-4]: Generic SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Hub
        |   |SS-[2-4-1]
        |   |SS-[2-4-2]
        |   |SS-[2-4-3]
        |   |SS-[2-4-4]
        |   \SS-[2-4-5]: Realtek USB GbE Family Controller - Net   <<<<< Monitor's network controller - on USB3
        \SS-[2-5]
Improve this question
15
  • What dock do you use for the connection?
    – harrymc
    Feb 6, 2023 at 9:40
  • No separate dock - the monitor itself functions as a dock. You connect it via usb-c, and it displays via DisplayPort, has a DisplayPort-out for another monitor, and some extra sound/USB/ethernet as well.
    – Jonathan
    Feb 6, 2023 at 9:47
  • So you connect a 2K monitor behind a 1K monitor/dock?
    – harrymc
    Feb 6, 2023 at 9:52
  • That's what I'm trying, yes
    – Jonathan
    Feb 6, 2023 at 9:53
  • 1
    @AJM Now it's Windows 10 Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.3693) At the time it was whichever Windows 10 was latest
    – Jonathan
    Jan 16 at 8:17

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
12

This is a limitation with USB-C and DisplayPort versions and, sometimes, dumb monitors.

DisplayPort Alt Mode on USB-C is typically configured to provide two DisplayPort lanes. This allows a USB 3 connection over the same connection. It’s also possible to transport four DisplayPort lanes (like a regular DisplayPort cable does), but this means only USB 2 is possible. The configuration is a property of the USB-C adapter/dock you are using (see update below). The host can do both.

DisplayPort adds another layer of complexity. You have two lanes, which cannot be split further, so each monitor gets one. Each new DisplayPort version offers vastly more bandwidth per lane.

Monitors may also have artificial (“dumb”) limitations.

One DisplayPort lane is all your 1440p screen is going to get. Theoretically this is enough, starting from DisplayPort 1.3. The HP z27 G2 (which you are apparently referring to) does not support DisplayPort 1.3+, only 1.2. It requires two lanes for 1440p resolution.

You can use a proper Thunderbolt docking station to work around this. Thunderbolt accommodates 4 DisplayPort lanes.

Update: According to the Philips 243B1/27 manual, it has a setting for changing the DisplayPort Alt Mode configuration. In the OSD main menu, go to USB Setting, then USB, then select USB 2.0. You will then have access to four DisplayPort lanes. Note that using USB 2.0 will severely reduce the performance of the built-in Ethernet interface.

However, the Daisy-chaining section in the manual also notes that a secondary screen will only support 1080p either way. You’ll have to try.

[Update from OP]: Switching to USB 2.0 indeed works. I even tested with 4K monitor (HP Z32) - still works. However, it's still a mystery why other laptops don't have this problems - they show full resolution even with USB 3.2 (tested with Lenovo P15/nVidia Quadro T1000, and also Lenovo T14gen2i/Intel Iris XE).

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9
  • If so, how come my colleague's stronger laptop (Lenovo P15, with nVidia Quadro T1000), is capable of supporting the 2 monitors?
    – Jonathan
    Feb 6, 2023 at 16:01
  • Without details about the test setup, I cannot tell, sorry. Maybe each monitor was connected individually. // However, it appears you are in luck. According to the manual, you can switch to 4 lanes in the Philips monitor OSD. I will update my answer shortly.
    – Daniel B
    Feb 6, 2023 at 16:27
  • 1
    I set the monitor to USB2.0 and indeed, my laptop supports the second monitor propertly. Yay! I can take the hit for the network... However, my colleagues' laptops (tested with P15/nVidia Quadro T1000, and also T14gen2i/Intel Iris XE) connect the exact same way, to a monitor set to USB3.2, and they still support the full resolution. So I wonder how that works?
    – Jonathan
    Feb 7, 2023 at 11:10
  • 1
    This will not change anything though: One lane per screen, z27 G2 is DP 1.2. Until the entire setup is explained in detail and with all devices involved with exact make and model, a statement cannot be made.
    – Daniel B
    Feb 7, 2023 at 14:40
  • 1
    Please put additional information in your question, not my answer.
    – Daniel B
    Feb 8, 2023 at 13:23
0

Some computers using docks such as HP USB-C Dock G4, G5, require the following setting in the BIOS : "Enable High Resolution mode when connected to a USB-C DP".

Check the BIOS in your computer for a similar option.

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1
  • 1
    Checked - my laptop's BIOS setup doesn't have any such setting.
    – Jonathan
    Feb 6, 2023 at 16:00

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