Best answer: Yes, the Surface Laptop 3 supports dual 4K external displays. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models have a USB-C 3.1 port, which allows you to connect the laptop to two 4K monitors at a 60Hz refresh rate with just a single port, but you'll need the right hardware to achieve this setup.
- Thin and light laptop: Surface Laptop 3 (From $999 at Microsoft)
- 27-inch 4K display: Dell UltraSharp 27 USB-C Monitor: U2719DC ($400 at Dell)
- DisplayPort 1.4 adapter: Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4 ($18 at Amazon)
- Triple display USB-C hub: Cable Matters 4K Triple Display USB C Hub with 100W Laptop Charging ($60 at Amazon)
Two 4K monitors with a single port
The Surface Laptop 3 is a thin and light laptop that builds off the already impressive Surface Laptop line. There are now two versions of the Surface Laptop 3, a 13-inch version and a larger 15-inch version. Both sizes of the Surface Laptop 3 have a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port. This port allows a laptop to connect to two 4K monitors at once at 60Hz.
A Microsoft Mechanics video shows off how the new line of Surface devices can power two 4K displays at once with a 60Hz refresh rate. Being able to do this with just a single port leaves other ports open, such as the Surface Connect port and USB-A port that are available on all sizes of the Surface Laptop 3.
Unfortunately, getting the Surface Laptop 3 to power two 4K displays at once at 60Hz is not usually as simple as plugging in a USB-C port into your laptop and monitor. As outlined in a post by Dan S. Charlton, connecting two 4K monitors and hitting 60Hz via USB-C requires additional or specialized hardware. This is due to the Surface Laptop 3's support of DisplayPort 1.4. There are a few options to power two 4K monitors at once.
An easy solution is to purchase an adapter. You can buy Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4. There aren't many adapters that have the required specs to power dual 4K displays at 60Hz, but this one fits the bill.
Another option is to get a USB-C adapter that natively supports DP 1.4 and Multi-Stream Transport (MST). Cable Matters recently released the Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4 which meets the required specs. It also has two DisplayPorts and one HDMI port.
The final option is to purchase a monitor that natively supports DP 1.4 MST up (through DisplayPort or USB-C) and DP 1.2 or 1.4 down to start a daisy chain. The second monitor in this setup only needs to run DP 1.2 or DP 1.4 to connect back to the first display. There are only a few monitors that meet this spec, including the Dell UltraSharp 27 USB-C Monitor: U2719DC.
What about docking stations?
As an alternative to the USB-C port of the Surface Laptop 3 powering your displays, you can use the Surface Connect port. The Surface Dock is in need of a refresh, but it can power a single 4K display at 60Hz or two 4K displays at 30 Hz.
You can also opt to purchase the more modern D6000 Universal dock from Dell. This dock allows you to use the USB-C port of your Surface Laptop 3 to power two 4K monitors at 60Hz. There will be some latency in this setup, so it's not great for gaming, but it shouldn't be an issue for productivity tasks. Additionally, this dock gets you a USB-A 3.0 port, a USB-C port, two DisplayPort, HDMI, a 3.5mm audio jack, and RJ45 Ethernet.
What 4K monitors do we recommend?
There aren't many monitors with the specifications required to fulfil this setup, but the Dell UltraSharp 27 USB-C Monitor (U2719DC) is one of them. This 1440p monitor supports DP 1.4 on USB-C and 60W power delivery.
13- and 15-inch options available
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Get yours while it's hot
The Surface Laptop 3, available in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch configurations, is sure to please anyone looking for a premium Ultrabook.
Modern monitor
Dell UltraSharp 27 USB-C Monitor: U2719DC
Get yours while it's hot
This 1440p monitor supports DP 1.4 on USB-C and 60W power delivery. It also features extremely thin bezels that increase immersion.
DisplayPort 1.4 compatible adapter
Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4
Easy to connect
This adapter supports DisplayPort 1.4 and works with up to 8K HDR (7680x4320). It's also backward compatible with 4K and 1080p monitors.
A simple hub
Cable Matters USB-C Triple 4K DisplayPort MST Hub with Dual DisplayPort and HDMI
The latest specs
This hub supports 1.4 high-speed HBR3 with a data rate of 32.4 Gbps. It can also charge your laptop at up to 100W.
Best answer: Yes, the Surface Laptop 3 supports dual 4K external displays. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models have a USB-C 3.1 port, which allows you to connect the laptop to two 4K monitors at a 60Hz refresh rate with just a single port, but you'll need the right hardware to achieve this setup.
Thin and light laptop: Surface Laptop 3 (From $999 at Microsoft)
27-inch 4K display: Dell UltraSharp 27 USB-C Monitor: U2719DC ($400 at Dell)
DisplayPort 1.4 adapter: Cable Matters USB C to DisplayPort Adapter with 8K HDR DisplayPort 1.4 ($18 at Amazon)
Triple display USB-C hub: Cable Matters 4K Triple Display USB C Hub with 100W Laptop Charging ($60 at Amazon)
Two 4K monitors with a single port
The Surface Laptop 3 is a thin and light laptop that builds off the already impressive Surface Laptop line. There are now two versions of the Surface Laptop 3, a 13-inch version and a larger 15-inch version. Both sizes of the Surface Laptop 3 have a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port. This port allows a l... by: Sean Endicott via https://www.AiUpNow.com/
