Usually because of the purchase price, and often by mistake. A basic monitor without USB-C costs less per screen, but in an office where staff use USB-C laptops, each desk then needs a separate docking station or a tangle of display, USB, network and power cables. A USB-C docking monitor does that job itself: one cable carries the picture, charges the laptop, connects the keyboard and mouse and, on many models, provides wired Ethernet. At SourceIT a basic Philips 24B2N2200G is S$132, while the Philips 24B2U3301 with 90 W USB-C and Ethernet is S$247.20 (listed 30 Oct 2026). The gap is often smaller than the cost of a dock and the time spent plugging and unplugging every day.
What does USB-C add to a monitor?
| Feature | Monitor without USB-C | USB-C docking monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Video from laptop | HDMI or DisplayPort cable | Same USB-C cable |
| Laptop charging | Separate charger | Up to 65-100 W, depending on model |
| Keyboard, mouse, webcam | Plugged into the laptop | Plugged into the monitor's USB hub |
| Wired network | Separate adapter or dock | RJ45 port on many business models |
| Hot-desking | Several cables to connect | One cable |
| Cable clutter | Three or four cables per desk | One to the laptop |
Typical features from Philips B-line leaflets (2026). Charging wattage varies by model.
Why do companies still buy monitors without USB-C?
- Price per screen. Procurement compares monitor against monitor, not desk setup against desk setup.
- Older laptops and desktops. Desktop PCs and older laptops without USB-C video gain little.
- Existing docks. Companies with docks already deployed may not want to replace them.
- Habit. The monitor model that has always been ordered gets ordered again.
The first and last reasons are the ones worth challenging. If your laptops have USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and power delivery, which most current business laptops do, a docking monitor removes a separate purchase.
The cheapest monitor is not the cheapest desk. Count the dock, the charger and the cables too.
What is the real cost per desk?
| Desk setup | Items | Approximate cost at SourceIT |
|---|---|---|
| Basic 24" FHD monitor plus a separate USB-C dock | Philips 24B2N2200G (S$132) + dock | S$132 plus the dock price |
| 24" FHD USB-C docking monitor | Philips 24B2U3301 (90 W, Ethernet, height-adjust) | S$247.20 |
| 27" QHD USB-C docking monitor | Philips 27B2U3601 (90 W, Ethernet, daisy-chain) | S$362.40 |
| 27" 4K USB-C docking monitor | Philips 27B1U3900 (90 W, Ethernet) | S$381.60 |
Prices listed 30 Oct 2026. Dock prices vary widely by brand and capability, which is why we have left them out; the point is that the USB-C model often costs less than a basic monitor plus a dock.
What should you check before switching?
- Laptop support. The laptop's USB-C port must support DisplayPort Alt Mode for video and USB power delivery for charging. Not every USB-C port does; see Your Laptop Has USB-C. So Why Doesn't Everything Work?
- Charging wattage. Match the monitor's power delivery to the laptop. Most business laptops are fine at 65 to 90 W; workstations may need more.
- Second screen. If users need two monitors, choose a model with DisplayPort out and daisy-chain support, such as the 24B2U3301 or 27B2U3601.
- Ethernet speed. Some models reach 1 Gbps only when the USB-C link runs at USB 3.x speed; check the leaflet.
- Cable. Use the supplied USB-C cable or one rated for video and the required wattage.
When is a monitor without USB-C still fine?
- Desktop PCs, where the monitor connects by HDMI or DisplayPort anyway.
- Second screens beside a docking monitor, connected through daisy-chaining.
- Reception, kiosk and meeting-room uses with fixed devices.
- Very tight budgets where users rarely move.
For the full picture on docks, read Philips USB-C Monitors: Is the Docking Station Finally Becoming Obsolete? and HDMI vs DisplayPort vs USB-C.
Buying in Singapore
SourceIT supplies Philips USB-C docking monitors including the 24B2U3301 (S$247.20), 24B2U3601 QHD (S$285.60), 27B2U3601 (S$362.40) and 27B1U3900 (S$381.60), plus the basic 24B2N2200G (S$132), with a GST invoice. Prices listed 30 Oct 2026. Browse Philips Business & Office Monitors. For a quotation, use Request for Quotation on the product page, call (65) 6978 3502, email Sales@sourceit.com.sg or use our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a USB-C docking monitor? A monitor that takes video, data and power over one USB-C cable, so it charges the laptop and provides USB ports and often Ethernet, replacing a separate dock for one screen.
Will any USB-C laptop work with a USB-C monitor? Only if its USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode for video and power delivery for charging. Check the laptop's specifications.
How much power does a USB-C monitor deliver? It varies by model. Philips' B-line USB-C business monitors list up to 90 W, enough for most business laptops.
Can a USB-C monitor connect to the office network? Many business models, including the Philips 24B2U3301 and 27B2U3601, have an RJ45 Ethernet port carried over the USB-C link.
Is a USB-C monitor more expensive? Per screen, yes, but often cheaper than a basic monitor plus a separate dock. At SourceIT the Philips 24B2U3301 with 90 W USB-C is S$247.20.
SourceIT Approved
Researched and verified by the SourceIT team for Singapore buyers.
