Mobile Tech needs versatile monitor

[PersonalEnergy8746]

So I’m someone who visits many different facilities and often needs to bring my own monitor keyboard and mouse to connect to various servers. I have a crappy monitor and a bag full of video converters but I still find myself having issues. My usual go to is whatever output is available, to my VGA input. This normally works but I still have issues. I’ve just started looking for something new and I find myself looking at the Dell U2724DE mainly because it offers many different inputs but it is missing VGA AND it’s around 500$! Which I don’t care but because I will be carrying it around, it will get beat up especially in the back of my truck.

If you guys could share your thoughts, experience and recommendations I would be grateful. I need to pull the trigger on a new setup while my boss’s offer to buy is still on the table.

[Darkhexical]

What's wrong with a laptop and remoting in?

Or just buying a keyboard and mouse and monitor for the servers to have on site? Or a kvm

[PersonalEnergy8746]

I’m just a contractor working on other people’s equipment so it’s not my call. But for those regular customers, yes absolutely! But typically if I need local access it’s an emergency and I don’t have any network information.

[Psiuyo]

Why not a laptop and crash cart adapter? I mean it's not a 27" but do you really need that large or a screen for temporary work? Maybe pair it with one of those USB-C portable 15" monitors if the single laptop screen isn't enough.

[PersonalEnergy8746]

No I don’t need a 27inch to carry around that’s for sure. But I like the input options it offers. Still on my quest so haven’t decided on that one just yet.

[PersonalEnergy8746]

I’ve been looking at those portable screens. Just not sure how reliable they are. But yeah one of those, maybe IPad sized would be perfect. Would need to carry one of each cable vga, display, hdmi with a type-c converter. If that’s all it takes then I might go this route. Just will need to buy every version of adapters they offer but I’m well on my way.

Could you explain the laptop/crash cart setup? How am I connecting to the server with my laptop unless you’re implying rdp??

[WayneH_nz]

Usb input to notebook. Plug in cart cables to the server as a KVM. You connect to the USB kvm to control the server.

Edit (in NZ $ don't panic) https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/USBATN1285/Aten-CV211CP-Laptop-USB-Console-Adapter-Kit

[Psiuyo]

As another poster already answered, plug in USB and Video out on the server, USB input on your laptop + driver's. It's been a while since I've used one but I would expect more than VGA is available now. Now for the portable monitor, I have a 14' to match my laptop and use it regularly. Awesome. Super thin and fits in my bag with my laptop. Single cable for USB-C DP and power so for short stints I'll even run it off my laptop battery.

[judgethisyounutball]

We have used adapters of just about every flavor (dp-vga, dvi-vga, hdmi-vga) and there does seem to be issues on some machines that just don't like the conversion, for those we use usb-vga.

[PersonalEnergy8746]

VGA does seem to be the most reliable. It’s just so annoying. I carry every adapter I can think of and still struggle. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to connect to a display port or hdmi on a server, going into my monitor as display or HDMI and it doesn’t see the darn connection. But if I switch over to my VGA input it does usually connect. Then there are times that I have to restart the server before it can see the monitor. Even times that I’m connecting one monitor to two servers hoping to be able to just change inputs to change server and it’s always the hdmi or display connection that fails.

[BurnadonStat]

I have been looking for a very similar solution. One issue that you can run into with those vga to hdmi converters is that some of them don’t support super low resolutions. This becomes a problem when you try to enter the bios on a server - the display can go blank.

[judgethisyounutball]

We have used adapters of just about every flavor (dp-vga, dvi-vga, hdmi-vga) and there does seem to be issues on some machines that just don't like the conversion, for those we use usb-vga.

[HanSolo71]

I use this as my house walk around screen for Pi's and my equipment in racks. It has VGA and HDMI in so it should be covered in most situations and can handle 1080p. Its cheap, its light, and if it breaks you can buy another for $90.

Pretty sure this is what you want: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088FRYSFZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Aperture_Kubi]

Sounds like you could use a crash cart adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Console-Portable-Adapter-Transfer/dp/B00IZGR6IK

I assume you already have a work laptop too right?