Feeling overwhelmed by all the options for hooking up your new Clarity monitor? We’re here to help.
When designing our Clarity 4K monitors, we focused on building a studio-grade monitor which gave users a lot of options, so they could integrate it a wide variety of office setups.
However, this does mean it comes with a lot of different options for connecting the monitor to your computer, which can be a bit overwhelming.
What we recommend
The best way to connect to Clarity depends on the capabilities of the computer you’re using.
If your computer supports USB-C DP Alt Mode* or has a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port (this includes all modern Apple computers): Connect using the included USB-C cable.
USB-C connects you to everything your new Clarity monitor has to offer – 4K video, laptop charging and Clarity’s accessory ports (2x USB-A and 3.5mm Audio), all with a single cable.
If your computer does not support USB-C DP Alt Mode and has no Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports:you’ll need to connect with HDMI or DisplayPort for video and USB-B or USB-C to use Clarity’s accessory ports (2x USB-A and 3.5mm Audio).
Both HDMI and DisplayPort can carry 4K video at the highest framerate Clarity supports, so use whichever your computer supports.
If your computer has a USB-C port that supports PD* (Power Delivery), you should use USB-C and not USB-B to connect to accessories, as you’ll also get laptop charging (up to 90W for Clarity and Clarity Pro Touch).
If your computer does not support USB-C charging, use the included USB-B cable to connect to Clarity’s accessory ports, as they’ll operate slightly faster.
Understanding Clarity’s Ports
- USB-A: Two ports for USB accessories, such as a mouse, USB-C stick, keyboard or phone charging.
- USB-B: Use this or USB-C. Connects Clarity’s USB-A and Audio ports to your computer
- HDMI: Delivers up to 4K video from your computer
- DisplayPort: Delivers up to 4K video from your computer
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USB-C/Type-C: Connects your computer to 4K video, laptop charging, Clarity’s USB-A and Audio ports.
- Power Deliver requires a USB-C PD port*, video requires a USB-C DP Alt Mode port*. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports support PD and DP Alt Mode.
- 3.5mm Audio: For headphones, speakers and/or a microphone
- Power
*Does my USB-C port support PD and DP Alt Mode?
Not every USB-C port on notebook computers supports charging (PD) and video (DP Alt Mode). Some USB-C PD and DP Alt Mode ports are marked with symbols, but many are not.
Common USB-C and Thunderbolt Port Symbols
- DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode)
- Power Delivery (PD)
- Thunderbolt 3 or 4
If your computer doesn’t start charging or sending video when your monitor is connected to your computer, try connecting the monitor to a different USB-C port on your machine.
If none work, consult your computer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to determine which USB-C ports support PD and DP Alt Mode.
Both Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports support both PD and DP Alt Mode.
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