Recommendations for external monitor in combination with USB 3.0 dock and X1 carbon touch

Question

Dear Community,
I'm waiting for my X1 carbon touch and USB 3.0 dock and keyboard/mouse to arrive any time soon. However, I'd be glad to get some help/recommendations on external monitor choice.
For instance, the new HP envy 27" caught my eye, since it includes speakers, but it comes with HDMI and Displayport connections only. As far as I understood, video connection itselft shouldn't be a problem using a DVI to HDMI adaptor, but how about the resolution of the X1 vs. a HD+ monitor, and how do I use the audio on this monitor (don't want to use the microphone jack in front of the dock, as it should look as minimalistic as possible)?
Is there a solution? via usb 3.0? or should I better consider another monitor? Anyways, DVI or HDMI, I don't want to connect a separate audio system to the dock. Any recommendations, or is it one of those gadgets that  has not been thought through well enough and you need to wait for the next generation to be developed?
Many thanks for your help,
Cheers, jcd

Answer 1

Since you don't want to use the jack on the dock, you could usethemini-DisplayPortontheX1cTouchasyourvideooutputoption because the version of DP on the X1c Touch includes the ability for audio to streamed over the DP connection in addition to video. This would require a compatible DP monitor. 
You'll also want the monitor to support audio over the DP connection. The X1c Touch's graphics supports the output of an audio stream over DP and the machine should be be capable of this. This gives you two cables connecting to the X1c Touch -- the DP cable for audio and video and the USB 3.0 cable connecting to the dock. The dock would be attached to keyboard, mouse, USB accessories, and Ethernet (if necessary). 
As far as what to look for in a monitor, my general recommendation is Dell Ultrasharp. They tend to be a good deal for an IPS monitor with at least an sRGB gamut and a solid warranty. I've never bothered to attempt to stream audio over DP because I have separate speakers for audio. In the same way that my last 3 laptops have been ThinkPads, my last three monitors have been Dell Ultrasharps. The graphics in the X1c Touch should be fine running a 1920x1080, so I wouldn't worry about resolution. It can be a little jarring to use monitors side-by-side when they have different pixel densities, so you'll likely end up treating them as separate display surfaces. I often have e-mail and Pandora open on my T420's screen while I'm doing the bulk of my work on my main monitors. If you think you'll be touching the screen a good bit, then you might want to look into buying a touch capable monitor. Otherwise your brain can become easily confused because it'll begin to think that all computer screens are touch-capable and you'll reach out and try to touch your desktop monitor without thinking. 
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