Docking Monitor

PC monitor vendors have been slow to recognize the opportunities provided by fairly established technologies, namely USB-C (considered here as a set of technologies) and the leading operating systems. I don't have hard numbers, but it is safe to say majority of users today have laptops, and desktop computers niche is supported by the ever shrinking audience of elite gamers. 

So if the assumption of proliferation of laptops is correct, computer monitors are just add-ons for work or home working environments. One problem with using an external monitor in the past was the ugly reality of the number of cables and power supplies needed. Monitors used to have their own power bricks and then when setting up a desktop environment, you needed to connect a keyboard, a mouse, a set of speakers, a microphone, a web camera. And probably on the same desk you had a phone/watch/tablet charger. That resulted in adding a power strip and an external USB hub (with its own power supply).

All this has changed with the arrival of USB-C. Please note I'm using USB-C as a blanket for a number of technologies involved: fast data transfer (including both USB and Thunderbolt), display interface (via so called alternate mode), power delivery. USB-C spawned the rise of USB / Thunderbolt docks: super-hubs with one Type-C cable connecting to the hub which offered variety of ports (including a display interface - a DisplayPort or a HDMI, an audio interface - a 3.5mm jack) and was able to power the connected laptop through the same Type-C cable.

While the docks simplified the computer connection (one cable for all functions including display and power), there was still this messy bunch of cables coming out - one cable for every function: display, audio, and so on. What has become really clear the docks should make their way INTO monitors. Ultimately reducing the cable mess (and costs). This transition has been quite slow.

One model which popped up in my research recently has been the Philips 499P9H (what a nice name!). It comes quite close to the perfect setup, with the following functions integrated:

• USB-C all-in-one input with 90W (EU spec) power delivery (enables one-cable connection to a laptop)
• Integrated USB hub (with 3 ports for accessories, one of them can serve as a phone charger when configured for always-power-on)
• Integrated webcam and infrared (IR) camera for secure login (Windows Hello). The camera can be mechanically disabled by pushing it down into the monitor for privacy-conscious users.
• Integrated speakers

This package (with a help of a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse) effectively reduces the cables down to two: a power cable an a laptop docking cable). Almost perfect.

Almost, as there are two caveats:

1. The camera is not that great. Much worse (especially in low light) compared to even an old Logitech unit.
2. The microphone is not that great either

It would be awesome if monitor vendors (like Philips) teamed with the leading teleconferencing gear companies (Jabra, Logitech, Poly) to offer a premium version with, say, built-in Jabra echo canceling speakerphone and a premium quality webcam. Until that happens you may want to at least plug a Jabra "puck" speakerphone into one of the monitor's USB ports.