Alienware and External Monitors

I have a brand new Alienware 13 R2 hooked up to a Dell P2415Q monitor.

The system is configured to use only the external monitor, which it does just fine.

My issue is with the Display Port connection. When hooking the monitor up to the Thunderbolt 3 port using a USB-C -> Display Port adapter, the monitor works great and even operates at 60Hz refresh. The problem, however, is whenever the computer is powered on, rebooted, or awakened from sleep, it won't wake the monitor. I have to turn the monitor off, then back on. So, when powering up in the morning, I have to stand there and wait for the computer to boot, then turn the monitor on when the Windows login screen appears. If I need to reboot, I have to turn the montitor off, then back on when the login screen appears. Kind of a pain to have to do this.

When the Monitor is hooked up via HDMI to the laptop, none of this occurs. In the morning, I can turn both on and walk away and they will be up and ready to go when I come back. When rebooting or waking from sleep, the monitor always wakes up.

So, the question is, is this normal behavior for the display port? Or, is this an issue with the USB-C -> HDMI connection?

I don't have a problem using the HDMI connection, but it is only HDMI 1.4 so only 30 Hz. Not even sure if that matters to me or if it has any significant importance.

Thanks,

Kenny

 

I'm guessing this is because the USB Type C isn't yet completely optimized to work for that setup. We recommend to use HDMI for external monitors rather than using 3rd party adapters to get the image through USB C.

 

The problem turned out to be with the Adapter.

This one
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X4S5DKC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

works, but is unable to wake the monitor.

I bought one from Google
https://store.google.com/product/us...layredirect=true&sku=displayport_type_c_cable

and it works perfectly. No problems whatsoever.

Kenny

 

That Google cable looks super short. Your laptop has to be hugging the monitor to reach.

 

Yea, it's short. It fits, but barely.

I know you are not supposed to, but I ordered a DisplayPort extension cable. It didn't cost a lot and if it works, that's great. If not, oh well.

I sent the Alienware laptop back anyway, since the Thunderbolt 3 port doesn't work and they won't fix it so I'm off to buy a Sager. It has two DisplayPorts and a Thunderbolt 3.

Kenny

 

Hi Kenny, did you ever purchase the Sager, and if so, can you let me know your experience with them. I'm currently on my 2nd Alienware 15 R3. The first had a motherboard swapped and then they replaced it with a new machine. The second is having the same issue were the Thunderbolt 3 port does not support legacy Thunderbolt devices at all. Plus on both of my machines, the display port connection to the same Dell monitors you have don't work at all. Will be returning this machine as well and was very interested, but scared of making the investment with Sager. I use my machine for editing HD & 4K video in Adobe Premiere and VR work with Premiere and AutoPano Giga and VideoPro. I would be looking at very similar specs to your rig, but with the newer i7, GTX 1070 GPU and 3 x 1GB RAID setup. Any notes on your Sager experience and satisfaction would be greatly appreciated.

Eli