How To Integrate new laptop with multiple desktop setups

[In2Photos]

I'm in the market for a new laptop for work. Like many others my work is being done more from home still these days and it looks to be continuing like that for the foreseeable future. I'm an engineer and will be using the laptop as a desktop while I'm at home or in the office on some occasions as well as for use in the field. I presently use a Lenovo B50 15 inch and have been pretty happy with it since we picked it up back in 2015. So the new laptop will need to be able to run Office software, primarily Word, Excel, and Outlook, run some AutoCAD, mostly 2D drawings but we also do work with some mapping utilities, importing GIS shapefiles, aerial images (SID files), etc. and running manufacturer's software for programming IEDs (not very demanding). I've been looking at the Dell Vostro 15 and Lenovo Thinkbook 15 with i7 processors (or the new AMD when they become available soon), 16GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and GTX 1650. I think either one of these will do what I need as far as running the software, but I want to make sure I understand how to integrate the laptop with the existing desktop setups I also have in place.

Office Setup
Currently has a Dell desktop and dual monitors. The new laptop would replace the desktop and I would likely also replace the monitors with 2 new ones (24 inch 1080p). I would then use a keyboard and mouse as well and just let the laptop be the desktop in essence.

Home setup
My gaming and photo editing PC which has three 24 inch 1080p monitors. This computer also runs folding at home 24/7. The laptop would need to be able to use at least 2 of these monitors. I'm also wondering if it's possible to integrate my existing keyboard and mouse (they are wired).

What do I need on the laptop to be able to integrate multiple monitors, a thunderbolt port? The current model Thinkbook says "USB 3.2 Gen 2 Full Function Type-C (USB + DisplayPort + Power Delivery)", but not Thunderbolt. I believe the Gen 2 model coming out has Thunderbolt 4. Any thoughts on either of these laptops?

 

[damian101]

Thunderbolt 3 provides 4 PCIe 3.0 lanes as far as I know, in addition to USB, DisplayPort and Power delivery. Those PCIe lanes need a GPU or simple display adapter to run a display, which could have a severe performance impact for things displayed on the external display (not sure about that).
The best way to run external monitors seems to be directly through DisplayPort to me, and thanks to DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport you only need one cable for that, if one of the external monitors supports that.
Without the need for Thunderbolt3 you could get much better deals on laptops, especially as current Ryzen 4000 laptops become an option.

 

[In2Photos]

So after more digging around and trying to find a laptop that both my colleague and I could agree on I bought each of us a Dell XPS 15, which has a GTX 1650. For anyone else reading this that may run into similar challenges I'll keep updating the thread as I go. The laptop isn't expected to arrive until the first week of December, but I have a feeling it will be here before that.

Home setup
Dell XPS 15 using TB3 port into the Dell WD19TB docking station (this allows the laptop to stay charged without using the laptop's power supply, so one wire connection and done). The docking station has 2 DP and 1 HDMI. I plan to use DP to HDMI adapters and run at least 2, maybe 3 monitors if I also use the native HDMI. I'm already using the DP ports on my monitors from my desktop PC. I will also be getting a USB switch that should allow me to use my existing keyboard and mouse on both the laptop and desktop.

Office setup
Dell XPS 15 using TB3 port into the Dell WD19TB docking station. The docking station will drive 2 monitors and I'll attach a mouse and keyboard.

 

[In2Photos]

The laptop arrived early and I've had it set up at home for a little over a week now. Other than a few oddities in the way the Dell laptop behaves compared to my last Lenovo the system is working as expected. I have all 3 monitors running off the Dell via the Dell dock. The USB switch allows me to use my mouse and keyboard between both computers. Only thing to watch for in that regard is if my Desktop reboots after a Windows update without the mouse and keyboard connected to that system. In that case, the mouse and keyboard are not recognized even after I switch them. I have to do a hard shutdown of the desktop or connect a different mouse and reboot it from there. So my plan is to always leave the switch on the desktop at night.

So far I have not been back to the office to set up a docking station there. I wanted to make sure the Dell dock worked the way I was hoping first. I may just use a generic USB-C dock since I won't be in the office as much.

 

[fire400]

What tool are you using to switch between your desktop and laptop?

 

[In2Photos]

No tool. I just change inputs on the monitors. To change the mouse and keyboard I'm using a usb switch.

What tool are you using to switch between your desktop and laptop?