How to setup a Surface Pro tablet with multiple monitors to replace your desktop computer
06/18/2014
The following is a guest blog post from Mike Gioia about how he has replaced his old desktop computer with a Surface Pro 2 tablet. There is a twist to this story as Mike has figured out a way to connect FOUR external monitors to his setup using a special docking station and adapters. He now has the best of both worlds; having a desktop computer for hard-core computing tasks, as well as a tablet for a more mobile experience when needed. Instead of buying three different devices (a laptop, a tablet, and a desktop computer) Mike is now using just one device that is flexible enough to meet both his desktop and mobile needs. Here is his story about how he setup a multi-monitor desktop solution using the Surface Pro 2 as the center piece.
Replacing a desktop computer with a Surface Pro 2 tablet
by Mike Gioia
While we become more and more mobile so too have our devices. With that being said it is still nice to have a traditional desktop computer at your desk when you are working or studying. I have grown accustomed to having multiple monitors at my desk as it helps me be more productive. I like having the ability to edit documents on one screen while having an old version on another, plus maybe a website on another monitor. I also leave my email open on a different screen so I can monitor it with just a glance. I don’t think I could work at a desk now without at least two monitors.
Currently I have four monitors, well actually five, but more on that later.
Currently I have four monitors, well actually five, but more on that later.
As an information technology support person I am also required to be mobile but I still want a "real" computer at my main desk for the heavy-duty work.
My desktop computer was not aging very well and my employer decided to replace it with a new one and a new tablet so I could be more mobile. In the interest of cost saving, I told my employer that if I could get a tablet to work with four monitors would that be something they would support. My supervisor agreed and left the setup to me.
I did a little research and with the Surface Pro docking station by Microsoft I knew I could do multiple monitors but not four. This was a challenge now, can the Surface Pro 2 actually support four monitors? I thought to myself, "I don't see why it couldn't with video card it has.” With more research (AKA Google) I found a blog post showing the Surface Pro 2 supporting four monitors.
From this blog post I found the equipment I needed. One Plugable USB 3.0 docking station and two Plugable USB 3.0 to DVI adapters. With a total cost around $200 I was on my quest to have my four monitors, a desktop computer, and a tablet all in one setup.
Setup was fairly straight forward. Of course I didn’t read the instructions at first and could only get two to monitors to work. After a complete uninstall of the drivers and new install BEFORE connecting everything I had all my monitors working within a few minutes.
The other great thing I wasn't expecting was that I actually have five monitors now. The Surface Pro functions as a fifth monitor and has the added bonus of being a touchscreen!
The other great thing I wasn't expecting was that I actually have five monitors now. The Surface Pro functions as a fifth monitor and has the added bonus of being a touchscreen!
Another great thing is that the Surface Pro 2 drives four monitors plus a mouse, network connection, audio, ten USB ports, and a keyboard all with ONE cable. There is only one USB 3.0 cable connected to the device. When I need to go somewhere I only have to remove one cable.
Of course, the behind the scenes view does have a few cables for all the other connections but just one cable goes to the Surface Pro 2 USB port.
Performance wise I have not noticed any performance issues. No lag in the mouse from screen to screen, even while video is playing on multiple screens.
The part that has really sold me on the Surface Pro 2 is that it uses a full operating system and can run regular full-powered x86 applications. I can now take my office computer with me anywhere.
It is also a lot easier to secure when I don’t need to take it with me from my office. I can just unhook the one cable and lock it in my desk drawer.
Shortly after I got the Surface Pro 2 a colleague asked me at a conference if I could remote into my office computer with my tablet. I chuckled and said "What office computer? This is my office computer."
It is also a lot easier to secure when I don’t need to take it with me from my office. I can just unhook the one cable and lock it in my desk drawer.
Shortly after I got the Surface Pro 2 a colleague asked me at a conference if I could remote into my office computer with my tablet. I chuckled and said "What office computer? This is my office computer."
I have been using this setup for over two months now and I forget that I’m not using a desktop computer until I realize I’m not kicking the big tower that used to be stashed under my desk.
Mike Gioia
Information Technology Services
Eastern Illinois University
A big thank you goes out to Mike Gioia for sharing his setup with ITC Chronicles readers.
Keep on learning,
Tom Grissom, Ph.D.
@tomgrissom
A big thank you goes out to Mike Gioia for sharing his setup with ITC Chronicles readers.
Keep on learning,
Tom Grissom, Ph.D.
@tomgrissom
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