How to Add an Extra Monitor for Under $40

USB connectivity has changed a lot over the years. USB-C, DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt, USB4—the list keeps growing, and figuring out whether a particular port can actually output video isn't always as simple as looking at its shape.

But sometimes you just need another monitor.

That's where the Plugable UGA-165 DisplayLink USB Graphics Adapter comes in. It's a compact, affordable way to add an additional 1080p display to a compatible computer with USB-A, even when that USB port wasn't designed to carry a native video signal.

A USB Display Adapter That Doesn't Require Video Over USB

A traditional USB-C video adapter relies on the computer itself to generate a video signal through technologies such as DisplayPort Alt Mode. If the USB-C port doesn't support video, the adapter won't magically give it that ability.

The UGA-165 takes a different approach.

It uses DisplayLink technology, which allows video data to travel over a standard USB data connection with the help of DisplayLink software. That means you don't need a USB port with native video-output capability just to connect another screen.

For systems with limited built-in display outputs, that can make adding another monitor considerably easier.

Once the appropriate DisplayLink software is installed and configured, the UGA-165 can drive an additional display at resolutions up to 1920x1080.

Give That Older Monitor Another Job

If you manage enough technology, there's a good chance you have an older monitor somewhere that works perfectly well but uses a connection your newer computer no longer provides.

The UGA-165 can help put it back to work.

The adapter features a DVI output and includes adapters for connecting VGA and HDMI displays, giving you flexibility across multiple generations of monitor hardware.

That makes it particularly useful for mixed environments where replacing every perfectly functional monitor simply because its connector is older doesn't make much financial—or practical—sense.

A spare monitor can become a dedicated screen for:

• Email and messaging
• System monitoring dashboards
• Documentation or reference material
• Video conferencing controls
• Spreadsheets and productivity tools
• Help desk or ticketing systems

Sometimes increasing screen space doesn't require replacing the entire setup.

Useful for Older Computers and Limited Display Outputs

Modern laptops may offer USB-C or Thunderbolt connectivity, but plenty of desktops, laptops, mini PCs, and other systems still rely primarily on USB-A.

And even on newer computers, the available USB-C ports don't necessarily support video.

Because the UGA-165 creates its display connection using DisplayLink over USB rather than depending on native USB video capabilities, it provides another option for systems where a conventional video adapter isn't the answer.

That can be especially helpful when extending the life of older hardware or creating a consistent display solution across a collection of different computers.

Small Enough to Keep Around

The UGA-165's compact form factor makes it easy to keep in a laptop bag, desk drawer, or IT toolkit.

That can make it useful beyond a permanent desk setup. If you regularly troubleshoot computers, configure temporary workstations, or move between different office environments, having a USB graphics adapter nearby gives you another way to connect a display without relying exclusively on the computer's built-in video ports.

It's one of those adapters that might not look particularly exciting—until you're staring at a perfectly good monitor and a computer with nowhere to plug it in.

An Affordable Way to Add More Screen Space

You don't always need a new laptop, graphics card, monitor, or full docking station to gain another display.

For setups that only need one additional 1080p screen, the UGA-165 offers a straightforward alternative. Its support for DVI, VGA, and HDMI displays makes it especially appealing when you're working with existing equipment rather than building an entirely new workspace.

For home offices, business environments, IT departments, or anyone trying to squeeze a little more productivity out of the hardware they already own, that combination of compatibility and simplicity can go a long way. At just under $40, it's one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add another display to your setup.

Things to Know Before Using the UGA-165

Because the UGA-165 uses DisplayLink technology, it does require DisplayLink software on the host computer.

On Windows, this means using the appropriate DisplayLink driver. On supported Macs, the DisplayLink Manager application needs to be installed, granted the necessary macOS permissions, and running for displays connected through the adapter to function.

DisplayLink graphics are designed primarily for productivity applications rather than workloads that depend on a directly connected GPU. If your priority is high-refresh-rate gaming, professional color calibration, or other graphics-intensive applications, a native connection to your computer's GPU is generally a better fit.

For everyday productivity, however, DisplayLink provides a useful way to add display capability where a native video output may not be available.

A Simple Solution for an Extra 1080p Monitor

The Plugable UGA-165 has a pretty straightforward job: take an available USB connection and turn it into another useful display.

With support for a single 1920x1080 monitor, compatibility with DVI, VGA, and HDMI displays, and a compact design that's easy to keep nearby, it offers an economical way to expand a workstation without replacing equipment that still has plenty of life left in it.

Sometimes the best upgrade isn't buying more technology. It's finding a better way to use the technology you already have.

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