There is a lot of misinformation surrounding this use of DisplayPort to Daisy Chain monitors.  In addition to needing the LCD’s set to DisplayPort 1.2 the hardware has to be compatible and in the case of a Microsoft Surface, there are several that are not.

After working with Dell and Microsoft for many months on this and being told everything from wait for a firmware update to Microsoft is making special dongles that will only be available through Microsoft Technical Support (i.e. not available through the Microsoft Store), I received an official note from Microsoft that says the OLD Dell U Series monitors are not compatible and will not be compatible:

The following monitors aren’t compatible with the Surface Pro 3 Docking Station:

  • Dell P2815Q

  • Dell U Series Monitor running rev. A01 or A02.
    A03 works. Dell can exchange current older Rev for A03 or newer

  • Samsung U28D590D

  • ViewSonic TD2240 Monitor


2 Comments

Bob · April 8, 2016 at 11:05 am

I just purchased a Dell U2415 from Amazon with a manufacture date of February 2016 at revision A02. Since this article was posted in November 2105 it seems reasonable to expect that a unit manufactured three months later would be at the latest revision. Are you certain that A02 is not in fact the latest revision for the U2415? Note that I do not currently have access to the necessary equipment to test MST (Multi-Stream Transport), but the monitor’s OSD does have a “DP 1.2” setting which is disabled by default. This setting is explained in the User Guide.

    Ian Matthews · May 29, 2016 at 11:27 am

    Hi Bob;

    I am NOT certain that the A02 is the most current. All U2415’s support Display Port 1.2, but they just don’t daisy chain. I am still arguing with Dell over sending replacements but it has been so long I have already found alternate uses for the U2415’s and I may just give up using the “Don’t Waste Good Money After Bad” logic.

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